Well-being, type 2 diabetes and alcohol consumption: a literature review

A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is associated with lifestyle modifications, one which concerns alcohol consumption. However, many if not all aspects of an individuals's lifestyle have personal, historic, symbolic and ritual qualities and patterns as well as wider social contexts. Therefore, any alteration of lifestyle has wider, possibly major and negative consequences for that individual, such as social alienation and psychological turmoil, undermining the individual's feeling of well-being. This article describes the significant themes from a literature review that aimed to identify the relationship between life style modifications and type 2 diabetes. The findings may help to shed light on the issues and challenges nurses face in delivering support to individuals with type 2 diabetes in clinical practice

Two fossil conifer species from the neogene of alonissos island (Iliodroma, Greece) [Deux espèces de conifères fossiles du Néogène de l’île d'Alonissos (Liadrómia, Grèce)]

Alonissos (Iliodroma) Island is really famous to palaeobotanists because of the type locality of Glyptostrobus europaeus (Brongniart) Unger only. Since the first report of the latter holotype no palaeobotanical work has taken place in Alonissos. This is the first research of the fossiliferous locality, along with new palaeobotanical, palynological and gastropod findings, revealed after 200 years. Among the collected material, a xylitic specimen was studied and identified as Pinuxylon alonissianum Man-tzouka & Sakala, sp. nov. The presence of this species points to botanical affinities with sections of Diploxylon Pines (Pinus leiophylla var. chihuahuana (Engelm.) Shaw, P. arizonica Engelm., P. arizonica var. cooperi (C.E.Blanco) Farjon, P. engelmannii Carrière and P. jeffreyi Balf.) especially from Central America (Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental of Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon and Sierra Nevada). This is the first research of this kind revealing as the Nearest Relative bioprovince of the studied Greek fossil pine wood Central America and not Himalayas or Asia. Moreover, a palynological study and an analysis of fossil molluscs were carried out for the first time, giving more data regarding the palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate of the area. Finally, the holotype of Glyptostrobus europaeus (Brongniart) Unger, housed in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris (MNHN), is found, photographed and presented for the first time. © Publications scientifiques du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris

Competence evaluation processes for nursing students abroad: Findings from an international case study

Background Assessing clinical competence in nursing students abroad is a challenge, and requires both methods and instruments capable of capturing the multidimensional nature of the clinical competences acquired. Objectives The aim of the study was to compare the clinical competence assessment processes and instruments adopted for nursing students during their clinical placement abroad. Design A case study design was adopted in 2015. Setting and Participants A purposeful sample of eight nursing programmes located in seven countries (Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Italy) were approached. Methods Tools as instruments for evaluating competences developed in clinical training by international nursing students, and written procedures aimed at guiding the evaluation process, were scrutinised through a content analysis method. Findings All clinical competence evaluation procedures and instruments used in the nursing programmes involved were provided in English. A final evaluation of the competences was expected by all nursing programmes at the end of the clinical placement, while only four provided an intermediate evaluation. Great variability emerged in the tools, with between five and 88 items included. Through content analysis, 196 items emerged, classified into 12 different core competence categories, the majority were categorised as \u2018Technical skills\u2019 (= 60), \u2018Self-learning and critical thinking\u2019 (= 27) and \u2018Nursing care process\u2019 (= 25) competences. Little emphasis was given in the tools to competences involving \u2018Self-adaptation\u2019, \u2018Inter-professional skills\u2019, \u2018Clinical documentation\u2019, \u2018Managing nursing care\u2019, \u2018Patient communication\u2019, and \u2018Theory and practice integration\u2019. Conclusions Institutions signing Bilateral Agreements should agree upon the competences expected from students during their clinical education abroad. The tools used in the process, as well as the role expected by the student, should also be agreed upon. Intercultural competences should be further addressed in the process of evaluation, in addition to adaptation to different settings. There is also a need to establish those competences achievable or not in the host country, aiming at increasing transparency in learning expectations and evaluatio