Showing papers by "Suffolk University published in 1997"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the performance of the expatriate assignment (EA) and overseas experience (OE) models of international career experience and found that OE's advantages over EA for people's development and its consequences.
443 citations
TL;DR: Three general formulae calibrate the average capability of marker systems to dispute falsely reported pedigree records in uniparous species and facilitate the calculation of maximal average exclusion values over a range of hypothetical markers.
Abstract: Three general formulae calibrate the average capability of marker systems to dispute falsely reported pedigree records in uniparous species. The most familiar exclusion formula applies to paternity, although the same formula applies equally to maternity. Another formula faults the relationship of a single offspring with its putative parent; for example, where the genotype of the other parent is not available. The remaining formulae excludes both of the falsely recorded parents of a substituted offspring. Simplified forms of the three general formulae facilitate the calculation of maximal average exclusion values over a range of hypothetical markers. Allele frequency data on eight marker systems in horses provide practical examples. The exclusion values of the three formulae are compared.
404 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an 11-year time-series dataset from this region indicates that bloom intensity is correlated with higher salinities and inversely correlated with the discharge of groundwater.
Abstract: There has been a widespread increase in the reporting of harmful and ‘nuisance’ algal blooms in the coastal ocean over the past few decades. On the global scale this is suspected to be a consequence of coastal eutrophication, however, on a case-by-case basis there is usually insufficient evidence to discriminate between the effects of human and natural causal factors. Intense blooms of the ‘Brown Tide’ unicellular algae (Aureococcus anophagefferens) have occurred sporadically since 1985 in coastal waters of Eastern Long Island and have devastated the local commercial scallop fishery. Analysis of an 11-year time-series dataset from this region indicates that bloom intensity is correlated with higher salinities and inversely correlated with the discharge of groundwater. Laboratory and field studies suggest that whereas salinity is unlikely to represent a direct physiological control on Brown Tide blooms, the addition of inorganic nitrogen tends to inhibit Brown Tide blooms. Budget calculations indicate that the inorganic nitrogen supply from groundwater is 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than any other external source of nitrogen for this ecosystem. Biweekly time series data collected in 1995 demonstrate that Brown Tide blooms utilize dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) for growth, as evidenced by a large decrease in DON parallel with an increase in cell abundance. On an interannual basis, bloom intensity was also positively correlated with mean DON concentrations. We hypothesize that bloom initiation is regulated by the relative supply of inorganic and organic nitrogen, determined to a large extent by temporal variability in groundwater flow. The 1980s and 1990s were characterized by exceptionally high and interannually variable groundwater discharge, associated with a large-scale climate shift over the North Atlantic. This, coupled with the time-lagged discharge of groundwater with high nitrate concentrations resulting from increased fertilizer use and population increase during the 1960s and 1970s, may have been a key factor in the initiation of Brown Tide blooms in 1985
251 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a broadband 60-GHz fiber-radio transmission experiment has been performed using a combination of novel techniques, where the data path was separated in the wavelength domain from the carrier path so that a remote upconversion scheme could be used to provide a fully transparent link.
Abstract: A broad-band 60-GHz fiber-radio transmission experiment has been performed using a combination of novel techniques. The 60-GHz carrier signal was generated using a master/slave (M/S) distributed-feedback (DFB) laser configuration, which gave high purity and high power with very wide frequency tunability. The data path was separated in the wavelength domain from the carrier path so that a remote upconversion scheme could be used to provide a fully transparent link. An electroabsorption modulator (EAM) was used as a full duplex transceiver so that bidirectional optical transmission could be implemented without the need for a laser at the remote site. Transmission of a 120-Mb/s QPSK signal over a fiber span of 13 km and a radio path of 5 m was demonstrated. Furthermore, the downstream optical signal contained the 120-Mb/s QPSK signal multiplexed with 20 channels of TV. The upstream optical signal consisted of 120-Mb/s QPSK data only. Good error performance was simultaneously achieved in both directions.
186 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the role of SLA carrier dynamics, which permits switching rates faster than the recovery time, has been highlighted for all-optical ultrafast signal processing, and experimental results imply that switching rates of as much as ∼100 GHz should be possible.
Abstract: Recent progress in the use of semiconductor laser amplifiers (SLA's) for high-speed all-optical switching is reviewed. We show that, despite SLA's having lifetimes of ⩾100 ps, they are, to date, the most promising material system for all-optical ultrafast signal processing. We highlight the role of SLA carrier dynamics, which permits switching rates faster than the recovery time. Experimental results are presented that imply that switching rates of as much as ∼100 GHz should be possible. Recent experiments are described in which SLA-based switches were incorporated into novel all-optical architectures.
184 citations
TL;DR: A rational approach is required initially to detect and subsequently to characterize toxic effects to the male reproductive system and a distinction is made between these two objectives since different study designs are required and different methodology may be employed to produce the type of information or data required.
Abstract: Toxicology of the male reproductive system has received increased interest in recent years partly fuelled by the growing reports of falling sperm counts and rising reproductive disorders in the human population Recently revised regulatory guidelines for the safety assessment of pharmaceuticals and chemicals on reproduction and fertility have emphasized the importance of detailed histopathological examination of the testes as a sensitive method for detecting disturbances in spermatogenesis Unfortunately this has been accompanied by a general confusion regarding a practical approach to undertaking such a detailed examination, particularly in respect to the use of spermatogenic or tubular staging to identify subtle disturbances in spermatogenesis The ability to identify tubular stages of the spermatogenic cycle in sections of testis plus a good understanding of the spermatogenic process and its dynamics are essential in order to carry out a sensitive of testicular histopathology and to interpret the changes seen A rational approach is required initially to detect and subsequently to characterize toxic effects to the male reproductive system It is important that a distinction is made between these two objectives since different study designs are required and different methodology may be employed to produce the type of information or data required
176 citations
TL;DR: The epidemiologic findings are most consistent with the hypothesis that chronic cocaine use disrupts dopaminergic function and, when coupled with recent cocaine use, may precipitate agitation, delirium, aberrant thermoregulation, rhabdomyolysis, and sudden death.
Abstract: We describe an outbreak of deaths from cocaine-induced excited delirium (EDDs) in Dade County, Florida between 1979 and 1990. From a registry of all cocaine-related deaths in Dade County, Florida, from 1969-1990, 58 EDDs were compared with 125 victims of accidental cocaine overdose without excited delirium. Compared with controls, EDDs were more frequently black, male, and younger. They were less likely to have a low body mass index, and more likely to have died in police custody, to have received medical treatment immediately before death, to have survived for a longer period, to have developed hyperthermia, and to have died in summer months. EDDs had concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in autopsy blood that were similar to those for controls. The epidemiologic findings are most consistent with the hypothesis that chronic cocaine use disrupts dopaminergic function and, when coupled with recent cocaine use, may precipitate agitation, delirium, aberrant thermoregulation, rhabdomyolysis, and sudden death.
129 citations
TL;DR: The results of the ICES Intercomparison Exercise for nutrients in seawater as discussed by the authors indicated that systematic (particularly relative) errors are widespread, and that many procedures deviate from optimal operating conditions.
125 citations
TL;DR: Comparison in unselected patients with systemic vasculitis has shown that the ACR criteria and CHCC definitions identify different patients, which is somewhat more common than previously believed.
Abstract: The systemic vasculitides are rare inflammatory conditions of blood vessel walls. A number of different classification schemes have been published since the first in 1952. The important developments have been the recognition of dominant blood vessel size, the distinction between primary and secondary vasculitis and the incorporation of pathogenic markers such as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. In 1990 the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published criteria for the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, hypersensitivity vasculitis, Schonlein-Henoch purpura, giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis. Sensitivity and specificity rates varied considerably: 71.0–95.3% for sensitivity and 78.7–99.7% for specificity. The critieria were not tested against the general population or against patients with other connective tissue diseases or rheumatic conditions. Four years later the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (CHCC) produced definitions for the major types of vasculitis, however, these have proved controversial. Comparison in unselected patients with systemic vasculitis (in particular polyarteritis nodosa and microscopic polyangiitis) has shown that the ACR criteria and CHCC definitions identify different patients. The systemic vasculitides are somewhat more common than previously believed. The overall annual incidence approaches 40/million adults. The most common form of primary systemic vasculitis is giant cell arteritis; Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis and Churg-Strauss syndrome have similar incidences. Classical polyarteritis nodosa and Takayasu arteritis are very rare in the UK.
95 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that a carboxyl-terminal domain of the gene 4 protein is required for interaction with T7 DNA polymerase during leading strand DNA synthesis, indicating that for lagging strand synthesis a different set of helicase/primase-DNA polymerase interactions are involved.
92 citations
TL;DR: The Humber is a large and complex estuarine system on the east coast of England fed by several rivers and fluxes of nutrients to the system are highly seasonal as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: The history, current status, and underlying technology of ‘Internet telephony’ — the transport of speech information over a packet-switched connectionless network is provided and a look at the quality of service issues raised by Internet telephony is taken.
Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the history, current status, and underlying technology of ‘Internet telephony‘ — the transport of speech information over a packet-switched connectionless network. The economics of Internet telephony and a number of possible system architectures for interconnection with the switched telephone network are examined. The paper concludes with a look at the quality of service issues raised by Internet telephony.
TL;DR: Model I, the simplest of the three models tested, has good fitting properties, and in practice was best suited to describing foliage cover dynamics of sugar Beet crops grown in the UK during 1980–1991.
TL;DR: Tagging experiments on three ray species, Raja clavata, spotted ray and starry ray, carried out between 1959 and 1976 have been analyzed, and distribution and movements are described.
Abstract: Tagging experiments on three ray species, thornback ray (Raja clavata), spotted ray (R. montagui) and starry ray (R. radiata), carried out between 1959 and 1976 have been analysed, and distribution and movements are described. Within the North Sea each species belonged to a single stock. For the thornback and spotted rays a separate stock could be identified in the eastern English Channel. After an initial period of dispersion the three species remained resident within an average of 30‐50 nautical miles (North Sea) or 10‐15 nautical miles (English Channel) of the release area. Adult thornback rays migrated from oVshore, relatively deep (30 m) water in the winter months to inshore, shallow (10 m) water in the summer months, probably to mate and spawn. ? 1997 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
TL;DR: Sediment cores were collected from two of the Norfolk Broads and two of West Midland Meres, to test the hypothesis that rooted macrophytes increase the sediment release rate of phosphorus during the growing season as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Sediment cores were collected from two of the Norfolk Broads and two of the West Midland Meres, to test the hypothesis that rooted macrophytes increase the sediment release rate of phosphorus during the growing season.
TL;DR: Electrophysiological recordings from the olfactory epithelium of mature male salmon parr indicated that the responses to prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) were significantly reduced at nominal concentrations of carbofuran, and the threshold of detection was reduced 10-fold.
Abstract: The sublethal effect of the carbamate pesticide carbofuran on the priming pheromonal system of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) was investigated. Previous studies have demonstrated that ovulated female salmon release a priming pheromone in their urine (considered to be an F-type prostaglandin) which is subsequently detected by mature male salmon and results in increased levels of plasma sex steroids and expressible milt. In the present study, electrophysiological recordings from the olfactory epithelium of mature male salmon parr indicated that the responses to prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) were significantly reduced at nominal concentrations of carbofuran as low as 1.0 µg l-1, and the threshold of detection was reduced 10-fold. A 5 day exposure to carbofuran significantly reduced the ability of male parr to respond to PGF2α stimulation. The priming effect of PGF2α on milt and plasma 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one levels were abolished at water concentrations at and above 2.7 µg l-1. In addition, the priming effect of PGF2α on plasma testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone concentrations was abolished at water carbofuran concentrations above 6.5 µg l-1. Exposure to similar concentrations of carbofuran also resulted in a reduction in the levels of free and glucuronidated steroids in the bile of PGF2α primed male parr. The effect of carbofuran on the priming response did not appear to be due to a direct effect on the testes, since the ability of testes to respond to pituitary extract stimulation in vitro was not impaired in carbofuran-exposed males. Carbofuran appeared to reduce significantly or abolish the priming pheromonal system in mature male parr by directly affecting the ability of the olfactory system to detect PGF2α, although the toxicological mechanism involved is as yet unknown. The results are therefore discussed in relation to the possible sublethal effects of carbofuran on reproduction in the Atlantic salmon.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of straw disposal by burning and incorporation on soil and crop nitrogen (N) supply, were investigated on two light textured soils in central (ADAS Gleadthorpe) and eastern England (Morley Research Centre) over the period 1984 to 1995.
Abstract: . The effects of straw disposal by burning and incorporation on soil and crop nitrogen (N) supply, were investigated on two light textured soils in central (ADAS Gleadthorpe) and eastern England (Morley Research Centre) over the period 1984 to 1995. Nitrogen balance calculations showed that after 11 years of contrasting straw incorporation versus burn treatments, the cumulative N returns in straw were c. 570kg/ha at Gleadthorpe and c. 330 kg/ha at Morley However, these N returns via straw incorporation were not reflected in increased total soil N levels in autumn 1994. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between straw disposal treatments in autumn soil mineral N supply, readily mineralizable N or organic carbon. Similarly, there were no consistent differences between the treatments in terms of crop yield, crop N uptake or optimum fertilizer N rates. Fertilizer N applications of 200 kg N/ha/y increased topsoil organic carbon from 1.18 to 1.28% and total N content from 0.091 to 0.102% on the loamy sand textured soil at ADAS Gleadthorpe, but not at Morley. Previous fertilizer N applications increased the quantity of nitrate-N leached in drainage water by c. 20 kg/ha at Gleadthorpe and c. 60 kg/ha at Morley overwinter 1994/95, and by 10–20 kg/ha at both sites overwinter 1995/96. There was some indication overwinter 1994/95 that straw incorporation reduced nitrate-N leaching by 10–25 kg/ha, but there were no differences between treatments overwinter 1995/96.
TL;DR: A simple method for forming reproducible mobile phase gradients with capillary electrochromatography (CEC) has been demonstrated in this paper, where mixtures of benzodiazepines, corticosteroids and thiazide diuretic drugs were separated using UV absorbance and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) detection.
TL;DR: It is found that simple priority dispatching rules, such as first-in, first-out rule or earliest due-date, work best to support drum-buffer-rope, but that other factors must be considered when using drum- buffers for scheduling in a remanufacturing environment with changing demand rates.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the mentoring support for teachers in further education (FE) and higher education (HE), rather than the menting of students following qualification programs.
Abstract: Concentrates on the mentoring support for teachers in further education (FE) and higher education (HE), rather than the mentoring of students following qualification programmes. Raises issues of definition and argues the need for peer mentoring. Evaluates mentoring models and explores issues of role modelling, selection, styles, skills and qualities. Covers literature from the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe and spans the period 1793‐1996, starting with a British Library reference called “The Female Mentor” and including the recent upsurge in mentoring interest across business and the professions.
[...]
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors introduce the basic ideas behind network computing, and examine a range of forms it could take, with particular emphasis on the use of the Java language, and examines the associated benefits and technical issues.
Abstract: Network computing represents a new computing paradigm in which all information, data and software applications reside on a network and are accessed on demand by users. This approach to computing offers the potential for users to access ‘everything‘ from ‘anywhere‘, removing the constraints of localised storage of information and applications, and, based on evolving standards, allowing access from a range of ‘information appliances‘. This paper introduces the basic ideas behind network computing, and examines a range of forms it could take. It describes the current status of commercial network computing approaches, with particular emphasis on the use of the Java language, and examines the associated benefits and technical issues. A prototype BT system, developed using Java client software and CORBA-based middleware, is described.
TL;DR: In this article, a numerical model of Morecambe Bay is described and varied against current meter and OSCR HF radar data, and compared with model predictions of the direction of tidal asymmetry.
Abstract: This paper represents results on the sediment transport regime in Morecambe Bay and investigates the connection between this transport regime and the tidal asymmetry in the region. A numerical model of Morecambe Bay is described and varied against current meter and OSCR HF radar data. Sand transport paths from a previously unpublished field study are presented and compared with model predictions of the direction of tidal asymmetry. This reveals a close correlation between the two, indicating that tidal transport plays a dominant role transporting sediment in Morecambe Bay and that the direction is controlled by the asymmetry between flood and ebb tides. Further analysis based on the model predictions examines the relative contribution that the tidal residual and higher tidal harmonics make in determining the direction of tidal asymmetry.
01 Jul 1997
TL;DR: Some of the ways in which performance can be ‘engineered’ into systems are described — examples of how these techniques have been used in recent BT projects are included.
Abstract: Failure caused by poor performance renders a system just as useless as failure caused by functional errors, and can be even more expensive to correct. For many years, performance in software systems has been achieved through a ‘fix-it-later‘ approach, using optimisation and tuning techniques. Recent evidence shows that, with the increased use of highly complex, multi-layered, client/server, distributed architectures, these techniques cannot be relied on to deliver even the level of performance required during early operation when workloads are small, let alone over extended periods. This paper describes some of the ways in which performance can be ‘engineered‘ into systems — examples of how these techniques have been used in recent BT projects are included.
TL;DR: This model of pregnancy loss shows strong evidence of immune memory and the rate of fetal death is reduced by immunization of the surrogate mare against donkey lymphocytes, suggesting an important role for the invasive trophoblast cells of the equine placenta in initiating and driving attachment and interdigitation of the non-invasive placentA for fetal sustenance and in modulating materno-fetal immunological interaction to enable survival of the antigenetically foreign fetus in the uterus.
Abstract: Equids possess the unusual ability to interbreed freely among the phenotypically and karyotypically diverse member species of the genus to produce viable, but usually infertile, offspring. The mule (female horse x male donkey) was humanity's first successful attempt at genetic engineering and its clear expression of both parental phenotypes has contributed much to our understanding of genetic inheritance over the centuries. Even more surprising, mares and donkeys have been shown to be capable of carrying to term a range of true, xenogeneic extraspecies pregnancies created by embryo transfer, including Przewalski's horse (Equus prezwalskii; 2n = 66)-in-horse, (E. caballus; 2n = 64), and Grant's zebra (E. burchelli; 2n = 44)-in-horse pregnancies. Fetal genotypes has a marked influence on placental development in equids, especially on the width and general development of the annulate chorionic girdle, progenitor tissue of the gonadotrophin (eCG)-secreting endometrial cups. However, transfer of intact and bisected demi-mule embryos (E. mulus; 2n = 63) to Jenny donkeys (E. asinus; 2n = 62) showed convincingly that maternal uterine environment, probably mediated by intrauterine growth factor production, can exert an overriding influence on chorionic girdle development and its invasion of the maternal endometrium. Transfer of donkey embryos (2n = 62) to horse mares (2n = 64) results in the development of an exceptionally small chorionic girdle that completely fails to invade the endometrium to form endometrial cups. Around 70% of these donkey-in-horse pregnancies are aborted between days 80 and 85 of gestation in conjunction with delayed and abnormal placental attachment combined with a vigorous maternal cell-mediated reaction against the xenogeneic donkey trophoblast. This model of pregnancy loss shows strong evidence of immune memory and the rate of fetal death is reduced by immunization of the surrogate mare against donkey lymphocytes. The findings suggest an important role for the invasive trophoblast cells of the equine placenta in initiating and driving attachment and interdigitation of the non-invasive placenta for fetal sustenance, and in modulating materno-fetal immunological interaction to enable survival of the antigenetically foreign fetus in the uterus.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe some of those applications of medical telepresence into which BT have been researching with various clinical partners, where remote human expertise is transported by communications networks to a remote location, has its own unique place within the spectrum of telemedicine applications.
Abstract: Telemedicine is a wide ranging subject which encompasses teleconsultation, electronic patient records, continuing medical education and public health information systems. Telemedicine will impact every aspect of health care delivery from remote clinical analysis and consultation between experts based in specialist hospitals, to teleconsultation as a substitute for physical referral between the GP and a hospital, and ultimately the remote delivery of medical monitoring and care into the h ome. Telepresence, where remote human expertise is transported by communications networks to a remote location, has its own unique place within the spectrum of telemedicine applications. This paper describes some of those applications of medical telepresence into which BT have been researching with various clinical partners.
TL;DR: Turbot larvae and juveniles and juveniles exposed to the WSF of crude oil showed generalized primary endocrine responses, identified by elevated whole body cortisol content from as early as 2 days post-hatch, and Larval mortalities increased with exposure to an increasing concentration of crudeOil WSF.
Abstract: Turbot larvae (24–590 degree C days; 2–32 days post-hatch) and juveniles (1345 degree C days; 98 days post-hatch), were exposed for 6 h to 25, 33 and 50% water-soluble fraction (WSF) of crude oil in either static or flow-through test systems. Larvae showed generalized primary endocrine responses, identified by elevated whole body cortisol content from as early as 2 days post-hatch. In older larvae and juveniles, the response was related to the WSF concentration. This dose-response relationship was not apparent in younger and yolk-sac larvae. Whole body thyroxine content of turbot larvae exposed to the WSF of crude oil was increased, but triiodothyronine content remained stable. Aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations [benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) and naphthalenes] remained constant during flow-through tests, but 65% of the initial level of BTEX hydrocarbons and 40% of the naphthalenes were lost during static exposures. Larval mortalities increased with exposure to an increasing concentration of crude oil WSF. Larval activity was significantly reduced even at the lowest WSF concentration.
TL;DR: Winter- and spring-sown barley cultivars of good- and poor-malting quality were micro-malted and samples taken at different stages of the process to examine changes in total protein, cell walls, carbohydrate reserves and the patterns of grain modification.
TL;DR: It is seen that it is vital that nurses receive adequate education before working with anorexic patients, and that their knowledge is regularly updated, that they are able to provide therapeutic care for such patients.
Abstract: This paper reviews research on the psychological characteristics of patients suffering from anorexia nervosa and that examining the therapeutic relationship. The former research suggests that anorexic patients possess a psychological profile characterized by: a phobia of weight gain and fear of loss of control; alexithymia and lack of introceptive awareness; mistrust of self and others; cognitive dysfunction; low self-esteem; and often the presence of starvation-induced depression. The latter strongly suggests that in order for a relationship to be therapeutic it needs to be characterized by: empathy; positive regard and acceptance; warmth; commitment; trust; genuineness; and be non-judgemental. The implications of these research findings regarding the nurse's role in forming a therapeutic relationship with anorexic patients is then discussed. It is seen that it is vital that nurses receive adequate education before working with such patients, and that their knowledge is regularly updated. Nurses should receive regular clinical supervision and support, in order to ensure that they are able to provide therapeutic care for such patients.
TL;DR: This study shows that FFPE tissue which has not been fixed in formalin for more than three days is a useful source of DNA for 12 of the 13 PCR systems.
Abstract: Historically, formalin fixed (FF) tissues could not be used as a source of DNA in forensic science due to the fact that the DNA was too degraded for DNA analysis. With the introduction of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to forensic science, the usefulness of DNA from this biological material has been re-evaluated. This study evaluates the potential use of DNA from FF and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues in 13 PCR systems; HLA DQα, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, GC, D1S80, vWA31, THO1, F13A1, FES/FPS, TPOX, and CSF1PO. The first six, HLA DQα, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, and GC are reverse dot blot systems, D1S80 is an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AmpFlp) system and the others are short tandem repeats (STRs). This study shows that FFPE tissue which has not been fixed in formalin for more than three days is a useful source of DNA for 12 of the 13 PCR systems. In contrast, FF tissue did not prove to be a reliable source of DNA for the PCR techniques examined here.
TL;DR: This study addresses the problem of how nurses resolve two conflicting discourses within the 'new nursing' movement, including the introduction of day surgery on a major scale, increased technical equipment and faster 'throughput' of patients.
Abstract: Nursing on surgical wards is a major area of employment for nurses, but the literature is sparse in relation to this group. Dramatic alterations in surgical care have occurred over the past few years, including the introduction of day surgery on a major scale, increased technical equipment and faster ‘throughput’ of patients. This has led to Nicholas Fox describing ‘a conveyor belt of surgery’. These changes are occurring alongside major evolution within the nursing profession. Nurses are encouraged to give holistic, individualized care in what has been termed the ‘new nursing’ movement. This study addresses the problem of how nurses resolve these two conflicting discourses. Following an initial phase of participant observation, 10 registered surgical nurses were interviewed using the techniques of career biography, critical incident analysis and informal interviews. Different interpretations by the key members of the ‘new nursing’, discourse have been identified. These have been termed the professional project discourse, the modernist discourse, and the traditionalist discourse. Various strategies are adopted by nurses to reduce cognitive dissonance caused by the two conflicting discourses. The most commonly used being rationalization about the need for emotional labour.