Declining Sleep Quality among Nurses: A Population-Based Four-Year Longitudinal Study on the Transition from Nursing Education to Working Life

Background: Several studies have established impaired sleep is a common problem among nurses. Overworked, fatigued and stressed nurses are at a higher risk of making mistakes that threaten patient safety as well as their own health. The aim of the present study was to longitudinally monitor the development of sleep quality in nurses, starting from the last semester at the university, with three subsequent annual follow-ups once the nurses had entered working life. Methodology/Principal Findings: Nationwide, longitudinal questionnaire study of nursing students and newly qualified nurses in Sweden. The results imply a continuous decline in sleep quality among nurses during the three years of follow-up, starting from their last semester of nursing education and continuing for three years into their working life. The most pronounced short-term decline in sleep quality seems to occur in the transition between student life and working life. Conclusion/Significance: This finding is important since it may affect the quality of care and the health of nurses negatively

Aberrant facial nerve regeneration (AFR): an under-recognized cause of ptosis

INTRODUCTION: Aberrant facial nerve regeneration (AFR) following facial nerve palsy may give rise to ptosis because of increased orbicularis tone. We describe a series of patients presenting with ptosis where the underlying aetiology of AFR was often not recognized by the referring clinicians. METHODS: Retrospective case review. RESULTS: A total of 15 cases with ptosis, secondary to AFR, were seen at the Royal Adelaide Hospital Oculoplastic Clinic between 2000 and 2002. Of these, 10 (67%) were referred by general ophthalmologists. Ptosis was the only reason for referral in 11 patients (73%) and features of AFR or a past history of facial nerve palsy were not mentioned in seven referrals (overall 46%). All patients reported a previous facial palsy. The palpebral aperture was reduced on the affected side with reduction in both upper and lower margin reflex distance (MRD) by a mean of 1.5±0.7?mm (P<0.001) and 1.0±0.3?mm (P<0.001), respectively. The orbicularis tone was increased and strength reduced on the affected side in all patients. However, none had lagophthalmos. Signs of AFR were demonstrated in all patients with either an increase in ptosis or eyelid closure on the affected side during cheek puffing. CONCLUSION: Patients with AFR following facial nerve palsy may present with ptosis without recognition of the underlying aetiology. Signs of AFR ptosis include a decreased palpebral aperture with a reduced upper and lower MRD. The diagnosis can be established with demonstration of an increase in ptosis during cheek puffing. Recognition of AFR is important in these cases owing to the implications for management and post-operative patient satisfaction

Species diversification – which species should we use?

Large detector systems for particle and astroparticle physics; Particle tracking detectors; Gaseous detectors; Calorimeters; Cherenkov detectors; Particle identification methods; Photon detectors for UV. visible and IR photons; Detector alignment and calibration methods; Detector cooling and thermo-stabilization; Detector design and construction technologies and materials. The LHCb experiment is dedicated to precision measurements of CP violation and rare decays of B hadrons at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN (Geneva). The initial configuration and expected performance of the detector and associated systems. as established by test beam measurements and simulation studies. is described. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd and SISSA