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Research has been conducted on quantitative trait loci. The contribution of the maternal and direct effect quantitative trait loci to early growth in mice has been investigated via the use of three-generation intercross of the small and large inbred mouse lineages, and the results are reported.

This study examined the impact of mortality salience and control threat on in-group favouritism. Three hypotheses were tested. Hypothesis one is that mortality salience and control threat would lead to higher evaluations of the in-group than the out-group. Hypothesis two is that, following mortality salience, self-esteem (but not locus of control) would be related to in-group evaluations. Hypothesis three is that following control threat, locus of control (but not self-esteem) would be related to in-group evaluations. Each hypothesis was supported. The findings indicate that mortality salience and control threat impact in-group favouritism via different psychological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relationships among measures of nurses' perceptions of organizational culture, continuous quality improvement (CQI) implementation, and medication administration error (MAE) reporting. Hospital-based nurses were surveyed using measures of organizational culture and CQI implementation. These data were combined with previously collected data on perceptions of MAE reporting. A group-oriented culture had a significant positive correlation with CQI implementation, whereas hierarchical and rational culture types were negatively correlated with CQI implementation. Higher barriers to reporting MAE were associated with lower perceived reporting rates. A group-oriented culture and a greater extent of CQI implementation were positively (but not significantly) associated with the estimated overall percentage of MAEs reported. We conclude that health care organizations have implemented CQI programs, yet barriers remain relative to MAE reporting. There is a need to assess the reliability, validity, and completeness of key quality assessment and risk management data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased natural gas production in recent years has spurred intense interest in methane (CH4) emissions associated with its production, gathering, processing, transmission and distribution. Gathering and processing facilities (G&P facilities) are unique in that the wide range of gas sources (shale, coal-bed, tight gas, conventional, etc.) results in a wide range of gas compositions, which in turn requires an array of technologies to prepare the gas for pipeline transmission and distribution. We present an overview and detailed description of the measurement method and analysis approach used during a 20-week field campaign studying CH4 emissions from the natural gas G&P facilities between October 2013 and April 2014. Dual tracer flux measurements and onsite observations were used to address the magnitude and origins of CH4 emissions from these facilities. The use of a second tracer as an internal standard revealed plume-specific uncertainties in the measured emission rates of 20-47 %, depending upon plume classification. Combining downwind methane, ethane (C2H6), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and tracer gas measurements with onsite tracer gas release allows for quantification of facility emissions, and in some cases a more detailed picture of source locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurse-midwives provide significant health care to underserved and vulnerable women, yet there is limited information about the nature of nurse-midwifery practices and compensation for services. This study reports the results of a Colorado statewide survey of nurse-midwives (N = 217). Electronic survey was utilized to detail practice in seven areas: demographics, type of practice, compensation, leadership, legislativep riorities,teaching involvement, and practice satisfaction. Responses(N = 114) were analyzed using SPSS 13.0. Results found wide variation in compensation and practice types. Respondents largely worked in urban settings, cared for low to moderate risk patients, and were generally older and White. Restriction from medical staffm membership, prescriptive authority constraints, and liability issues were practice limitations. While teaching a wide variety of learners, nurse-midwives do limited mentoring of nurse-midwifery students, a finding which is concerning given the decreasing numbers of nurse-midwives. Findings are compared to known national data, with implications for the provision of health care services detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the impact of nurse supply in the geographic areas surrounding hospitals on staffing levels in hospital units, while taking into account other factors that influence nurse staffing.Data Sources: Data regarding 279 patient care units, in 47 randomly selected community hospitals located in 11 clusters in the United States, were obtained directly from the hospitals from the U.S. Census report, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Study Design: Cross-sectional analyses with linear mixed modeling to control for nesting of units in hospitals were conducted. For each patient care unit, the hours of care per patient day from registered nurses (RNs), LPNs, nursing assistants, and the skill-mix levels were calculated. These measures of staffing were then regressed on type of unit (intensive care, medical/surgical, telemetry/stepdown), unit size, hospital complexity, and RN supply.Principal Findings: RN hours per patient day and RN skill mix were positively related to intensity of patient care, hospital complexity, and the supply of RNs in the geographic area surrounding the hospital. LPN hours, and licensed skill mix were predicted less reliably but appear to be used as substitutes for RNs. Overtime hours increased in areas with a lower RN supply. Vacancy and turnover rates and the use of contract nurses were not affected by nurse supply.Conclusions: This study is the first to show that hospital RN staffing levels on both intensive care and nonintensive care units decrease as the supply of RNs in the surrounding geographic area decreases. We also show that LPN hours rise in areas where RN supply is lower. Further research to describe the quality of hospital care in relation to the supply of nurses in the area is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]