Conservation of resources theory and research use in health systems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health systems face challenges in using research evidence to improve policy and practice. These challenges are particularly evident in small and poorly resourced health systems, which are often in locations (in Canada and globally) with poorer health status. Although organizational resources have been acknowledged as important in understanding research use resource theories have not been a focus of knowledge translation (KT) research. What resources, broadly defined, are required for KT and how does their presence or absence influence research use?</p> <p>In this paper, we consider conservation of resources (COR) theory as a theoretical basis for understanding the capacity to use research evidence in health systems. Three components of COR theory are examined in the context of KT. First, resources are required for research uptake. Second, threat of resource loss fosters resistance to research use. Third, resources can be optimized, even in resource-challenged environments, to build capacity for KT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A scan of the KT literature examined organizational resources needed for research use. A multiple case study approach examined the three components of COR theory outlined above. The multiple case study consisted of a document review and key informant interviews with research team members, including government decision-makers and health practitioners through a retrospective analysis of four previously conducted applied health research studies in a resource-challenged region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The literature scan identified organizational resources that influence research use. The multiple case study supported these findings, contributed to the development of a taxonomy of organizational resources, and revealed how fears concerning resource loss can affect research use. Some resources were found to compensate for other resource deficits. Resource needs differed at various stages in the research use process.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>COR theory contributes to understanding the role of resources in research use, resistance to research use, and potential strategies to enhance research use. Resources (and a lack of them) may account for the observed disparities in research uptake across health systems. This paper offers a theoretical foundation to guide further examination of the COR-KT ideas and necessary supports for research use in resource-challenged environments.</p

The effects of artificial diet on gonad size, egg size, egg quality, and larval vitality in green sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis of aquaculture significance

Effects of long-term dietary conditioning on gonadal growth, lipid, and moisture content, and on egg size, egg-energy content, larval morphometry, and larval development of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis were studied in the laboratory. One algal and seven artificial diets were tested over a nine-month period, coinciding with the urchin’ s annual reproductive cycle. Formulated diets differed in protein level and in the presence or absence of different supplements, such as algal storage carbohydrates (mannitol and algin), cholesterol, and B-carotene. Diets were: 1)10% protein (LO-PRO), 2)10% protein+ mannitol (LO-PRO+M), 3)10% protein+algin (LO-PRO+A), 4) 20% protein (HI-PRO), 5) 20% protein+cholesterol (HI-PRO+C), 6) 20% protein+B-carotene (HI-PRO+B), 7) 20% protein+B-carotene+cholesterol (HI-PRO+C/B), and 8) dried seaweed Nereocystis luetkeana (KELP). Urchins reared on the low-protein diet formulations had significantly smaller gonad indices than urchins conditioned on the highprotein and algal diets. Gonadal lipid and moisture contents varied significantly over time but not among dietary treatments. Significant differences in egg sizes were observed. HI-PRO produced the smallest eggs and HI-PRO+C the largest, while other diet groups produced intermediate-sized eggs. Egg organic-carbon levels also differed significantly with the largest amounts being present in HI-PRO+C/B, and the lowest in LO-PRO and HI-PRO. Larvae cultured from eggs of selected diet groups (LO-PRO, HI-PRO, HI PRO+B, HI-PRO+C/B, and KELP) showed significant differences in morphometry and in rates of development. HI-PRO+B and HI-PRO+C/B were the first to reach the feeding pluteal stage at 3 days and the 2-arm pluteus at 5-6 days. The feeding pluteal stage was attained by LO-PRO and HI-PRO at 4 days and the 2-armed larvae at 7-8 days. Larval development times for LO-PRO, HI-PRO, and HI-PRO+C/B were comparable by the 4-arm stage and remained so throughout development. HI-PRO+B larvae consistently had the shortest development times, reaching the fully-formed 8-arm larval stage 3 days earlier than larvae from other diet groups. HI-PRO+B larvae also had the highest rate of metamorphosis success. They showed significantly higher diary band/body-length ratios throughout all developmental stages, indicating greater larval feeding effectiveness and suggesting that this was the key to their overall success. All larvae arising from adults fed the artificial diets were competent; however, larvae from adults fed KELP showed severe abnormalities and subsequent early mortality. With regard to an aquaculture program, I conclude that HI-PRO+B is the best of the diets tested, in that it supported high gonathi growth for the roe market, and produced healthy broodstock with resultant vigorous larvae.Science, Faculty ofZoology, Department ofGraduat