bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The traditional-faculty supervised teaching model: Nursing faculty and clinical instructors’ perspectives
Authors: Luhanga Florence Loyce 
Published: January 2018

Background: The clinical instructors (CI) is an integral part of a quality clinical learning experience. CIs assist nursing students to integrate theory into practice. The traditional faculty-supervised model (traditional model) is used in Canadian undergraduate nursing programs for clinical teaching of Year 1 to 3 students, i.e., one CI supervises 6 to 8 (or 10) nursing students. Some researchers have questioned the effectiveness of the model in preparing students for practice and have concluded that in its current form, it might not be “best practice” with respect to student learning and patient safety. Research is needed to evaluate the traditional model of clinical instruction. Methods: This study explored perceptions and experiences of full-time faculty and CIs who teach and supervise students using the traditional model; and to identify the strengths and challenges of the model with regard to student learning and patient safety. The sample comprised of five faculty and seven CIs. Using an exploratory descriptive approach, qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis.Results: Although both faculty and CIs described some positive experiences facilitating nursing students’ learning within the traditional model, participants indicated that their experiences depended on the size and complement of the clinical group. Overall, participants perceived more challenges than strengths with the model. Strengths included: (a) peer learning and support, (b) instructors’ familiarity with curriculum and evaluation process, (c) guidance and support for novice students, (d) instructors’ control over students’ learning, and (e) opportunity for clinical experiences in a variety of settings. Challenges included (a) managing large clinical groups, (b) missed learning opportunities, (c) limited time for teaching and supervision, (d) difficulty balancing student learning with patient safety, (e) being seen as visitors on the unit, and (f) lack of role preparation.Conclusions: These findings provide additional evidence to existing knowledge related to clinical education of nursing students. Recommendations for improving the quality of clinical experiences and support for CIs are presented as a means for mitigating some of the challenges of using the traditional model of instruction.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cigarette Consumption among the University of Sharjah Students
Authors: Zaghloul Ashraf Ahmed , Elsergany Moetaz 
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is considered a major public health problem throughout the world. Although the burden of a disease attributable to smoking occurs among adults yet, the problem originates in the teenage and adolescence when the majority of smokers have their first experience with cigarettes. The objective of this study was to estimate prevalence of cigarette consumption among the University of Sharjah students. SETTING: University of Sharjah, Sharjah campus.PARTICIPANTS: The total undergraduate student population registered at University of Sharjah (UoS) during the period of study.DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was followed and included a sample of the University of Sharjah students based on the assumption of a prevalence of 15% and a degree of precision of 5% at the 95% confidence interval for each of the two campuses within the University city (Medical and Health Sciences campus and Non-Medical campus). The designed data collection tool was distributed based on the stratified sampling technique.RESULTS: The overall prevalence was 28.2% for both sexes. The prevalence of smoking among males accounted for 44.6%, while the prevalence of smoking accounted for 13% in females. The highest percentage of type of smoking was cigarettes 52.2% in males and 78.5% in females followed by medwakh 30.2% in males and water-pipe in females 21.5%. A student at a non-medical college, being a non-national, and having parents who were smokers were the common logistic regression predictors of smoking for both sexes in the sample under study.CONCLUSION: Tobacco control strategies and preventive measures in the UAE should start as early as preparatory and high school education and be directed towards school students as it seems that the problem is escalating in prevalence and magnitude.
Seasonal and Interannual Variability in the Barrier Layer of the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Kumari Anshu , Kumar S. Prasanna , Chakraborty Arun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAn objectively analyzed monthly gridded ocean analysis derived from a combination of satellite and in situ observations is used to describe the seasonal and interannual variability in the barrier layer thickness (BLT) over the maximum variance region in the BLT of the Bay of Bengal (BoB) for the period from 1993 to 2012. The northern BoB acquires a maximum variance in the BLT where a large river discharge flux was observed. The BLT showed strong seasonal variability with minima during April–May and maxima during December–February. An investigation of the variability in the BLT showed large amplitude at annual and semiannual time scales. The relationship between the BLT and the Indian Ocean dipole mode (IOD) reveals that the BLT maximum is relatively high in the negative IOD years when compared to the positive IOD years. A significant relation between the BLT and IOD is inferred with the IOD leading the BLT by 3 months and lagging by 1 month. We show that the 1 month lag in the northern BoB is mainly associated with coastally trapped Kelvin waves that radiate Rossby waves and control the BLT. However, further investigation is required regarding the temporal lead of the IOD with the BLT in the northern BoB.
The Effects of Deep Convection on Regional Temperature Structure in the Tropical Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere
Authors: Johnston Benjamin R. , Xie Feiqin , Liu Chuntao 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of deep convection on the thermodynamic structure of the tropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) is vital because convection and temperatures play an important role in regulating stratospheric water vapor through direct convective injection and in enhancing the presence of thin cirrus clouds, both of which play a significant role in the climate. This study quantifies the UTLS vertical temperature structure changes near deep convection over the Pacific Warm Pool and the Tropical Atlantic Continental and Oceanic region. The deep convection observed from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite are collocated with high vertical resolution temperature profiles from the COSMIC GPS Radio Occultation satellites along with ERA‐Interim reanalysis from 2007 to 2011. COSMIC and ERA‐Interim observe warm temperature anomalies (0.2 to 0.8 K) within 10–14 km, then transitioning to a layer of cool anomalies (−0.4 to −1.5 K) within 14–17 km. Above the cold‐point tropopause, warm anomalies (<1 K) are observed for oceanic convection, whereas cool anomalies are displayed for land convection within 17–20 km. The amplitude of temperature anomalies increases for deeper convection, marked by higher 20 dBZ radar echo top heights or colder infrared cloud top temperatures. COSMIC also observes enhanced UTLS diurnal temperature variations of about 0.2–0.3 K in both regions near deep convection. ERA‐Interim shows generally good agreement with COSMIC on the UTLS temperature anomalies near deep convection but displays larger differences above the tropopause, especially near land convection.
Impact of Precipitating Ice Hydrometeors on Longwave Radiative Effect Estimated by a Global Cloud‐System Resolving Model
Authors: Chen Ying‐Wen , Seiki Tatsuya , Kodama Chihiro , Satoh Masaki , Noda Akira T. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSatellite observation and general circulation model (GCM) studies suggest that precipitating ice makes nonnegligible contributions to the radiation balance of the Earth. However, in most GCMs, precipitating ice is diagnosed and its radiative effects are not taken into account. Here we examine the longwave radiative impact of precipitating ice using a global nonhydrostatic atmospheric model with a double‐moment cloud microphysics scheme. An off‐line radiation model is employed to determine cloud radiative effects according to the amount and altitude of each type of ice hydrometeor. Results show that the snow radiative effect reaches 2 W m−2 in the tropics, which is about half the value estimated by previous studies. This effect is strongly dependent on the vertical separation of ice categories and is partially generated by differences in terminal velocities, which are not represented in GCMs with diagnostic precipitating ice. Results from sensitivity experiments that artificially change the categories and altitudes of precipitating ice show that the simulated longwave heating profile and longwave radiation field are sensitive to the treatment of precipitating ice in models. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating appropriate treatments for the radiative effects of precipitating ice in cloud and radiation schemes in GCMs in order to capture the cloud radiative effects of upper level clouds.
A fundamental study on the earthquake response reduction of base‐isolated foundation backfilled using an improved compound geomaterial
Authors: Miyamoto Yuji , Shimamura Atsushi , Fujii Satoru , Hoshizawa Fumiko , Kashiwa Hisatoshi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study addresses the development of a seismic‐isolated foundation embedded with improved soil to reduce the response of a superstructure. The material properties of the new improved composite soil are investigated by performing laboratory tests. Subsequently, the response behaviors of test model structures are discussed considering various contact conditions at the bottom of the foundation and different improved backfill soils around the foundation by conducting shaking table tests. Furthermore, the results of the analysis are obtained using a three‐dimensional nonlinear finite element method to clarify the effect of contact conditions at the bottom of the foundation and that of the improved compound soil on the seismic response of a building. Based on these results, an effective method to reduce the response of a building is to decrease the frictional resistance of the foundation bottom in order to reduce the input motion and make it non‐resonant. In addition, the response can be reduced by absorbing the seismic vibration energy in the improved composite soil embedded around the foundation. Furthermore, it is expected that the improved composite soil along with its toughness will result in the suppression of the excessive deformation of the foundation due to the effect of embedding.
Messenger
RNA
in Prokaryotes
Authors: Kushner Sidney R 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) are molecules that represent the intermediate step in the conversion of genetic information carried in a cell's DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) into functional proteins. They are synthesised by the enzyme RNA polymerase, which recognises specific sequences in the DNA (promoters) to initiate the process called transcription. Downstream sequences, called terminators, provide the signals for transcription to stop. Structural features of mRNAs, such as the presence of a good ribosome‐binding site (RBS) and appropriate spacing between the RBS and the translation start codon, control how effectively the information they contain is translated into functional proteins and play a role in the stability of the mRNAs. The steady‐state level of each mRNA, which is determined by the rate of its synthesis versus the rate of its decay, helps regulate how much protein is synthesised from each mRNA. mRNA decay in bacteria is carried out by a series of nucleases that can initiate the degradation of the RNA molecule by cleaving at internal sites or by removing one nucleotide at a time from either the 5′ or 3′ terminus.

Key Concepts

RNA is distinguished from DNA by the presence of ribose instead of deoxyribose and uracil instead of thymine.

Messenger RNAs are required for converting the genetic information in the DNA into functional proteins.

More than one protein can be encoded in a single mRNA.

In bacteria, mRNAs must have a ribosome‐binding site (RBS) that is properly space upstream from the translation start site.

Secondary and tertiary structures of an mRNA can affect both its stability and functionality.

The physical location of an mRNA within a cell will affect its stability.

Riboswitches help control the expression of a large number of genes.

The translation and stability of many mRNAs is regulated by small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs).

mRNAs are degraded by a variety of pathways that utilise many different ribonucleases.

For many mRNAs decay is carried out by multiprotein complexes in both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria.

Polyadenylation of mRNAs, particularly in Gram‐negative bacteria, stimulate their degradation.
Mutagenesis: Site‐Directed
Authors: Walquist Mari J , El‐Gewely M Raafat 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSite‐directed mutagenesis (SDM) aims to introduce precise alterations in any coding or noncoding deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence, usuallyin vitro. These modifications could be as small as a nucleotide or several hundred; in one site or in multisite in the same DNA sequence. Recently, these alterations have been also developedin vivo. SDM success depends on how changes are introduced and mutant selection is done. DNA sequence analysis must be made to verify change(s) before any biochemical or biological experiments are done. Recent methods for SDM and most used commercial kits are discussed. A list of companies offering SDM service is included. The authors have also listed software used for mutagenic oligonucleotide primer‐design. These techniques are revolutionising our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms, protein structure–function relationship, protein–protein interaction and binding sites in any biological system. In addition to the academic benefits of SDM, SDM techniques have impacted biotechnology and the applied field such as engineering new enzymes, drug development, optimisation of heterologous gene expression and secretion. In recent years, technologies employingin vivogene as well genome modifications (editing) has been significantly improved. CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome editing has already been used in different systems.Key ConceptsA selection system to distinguish and select the molecules with the desired site‐directed mutations from the rest of the molecules has to be planned.DNA sequence analysis to verify the presence of the desired alteration with no other changes in the rest of the molecules is essential component of the technique.All site‐directed alterations requiring site‐directed mutagenesis technique are done at the DNA level.Engineered site‐directed mutations are heritable modifications.Modifications done at the protein levels are not heritable.The results of these alterations are reflected in the encoded amino acids sequence of the proteins or in any targeted binding site in the DNA sequence.Several simplified techniques are now available.Selection of the altered DNA molecules from the pool of nonmodified parent molecules is essential.DNA sequence to verify the DNA change is a fundamental part of the technique.Biological and biochemical ramifications because of SDM are usually the purpose that SDM is done in the first place.In addition to thein vitromodification of genes,in vivomethods for gene and whole genome modifications are being developed. In such methods, no transformation of the modified DNA is transformed back to cells, but the tools to bring the changes have to.
Transplantation
Authors: Smith Peter L 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTransplantation had long been considered before becoming a common practice in the twentieth century. Today, with ever‐increasing knowledge of graft rejection by the immune system, a number of different cells, tissues or organs can be successfully transplanted with effective immunosuppressive therapy to prevent the recipient immune system from targeting and destroying the transplant. Nevertheless, the adverse side effects of immunosuppressive therapy and the limited availability of transplantable organs necessitie the development of other therapies as bridging therapies for transplantation, to support organ function or offer a viable alternative to transplantation.Key ConceptsOrgan transplantation is a successful therapy for end‐stage organ failure.Genetic differences between the donor and recipient result in graft rejection by the recipient's immune system.Most transplantation requires immunosuppressive therapy.Immunosuppressive therapy is limited by serious side effects.The shortage of organs for transplantation requires the development of alternative therapies to treat organ failure.
Plant Programmed Cell Death
Authors: Conway T John , McCabe Paul F 
Published: January 2018

AbstractProgrammed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental biological process in plant cells. Indeed, all multicellular organisms need a cellular death process to be able to regulate cell numbers, to direct developmental processes, defend themselves against pathogens or to eliminate unwanted or damaged cells. In plants, PCD is governed by genetic signals and environmental cues and operates from the embryogenic beginning of a plants' life to the final whole plant death processes. The study of PCD is an expanding discipline in plant sciences as an understanding of the core regulatory processes involved in plant PCD may facilitate breeding programmes that modify the timing or intensity of PCD events. The ability to breed for a more efficient PCD may have a profound impact on our capacity to support crop species and maintain yields, in rapidly changing environments. This article reviews the methods used to study PCD in plants and outlines our current understanding of PCD regulation.Key ConceptsProgrammed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental process in plants. It is involved in defence, development and response to stress.Regulation of PCD is genetic with a significant role played by environmental stimuli.Plant programmed cell death has many similarities to animal apoptosis – chromatin and nDNA fragmentation, cell shrinkage, contraction of the cytoplasm, mitochondrial swelling and release of mitochondrial‐based proteins.Plants have unique cellular components – cell walls, chloroplasts and a large central vacuole – which play roles in plant PCD.Retraction of the protoplast during PCD results in a distinctive morphology that can be used as a quantifiable reporter of PCD.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in the induction, signalling and execution of plant PCD. Fine tuning of ROS governs PCD responses to stress.A cells' sensitivity to triggering PCD is impacted by previous stress experience, age and prevailing environmental conditions.
Vaccinia Virus Expression System
Authors: Hall Yper , Carroll Miles W 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Replication‐competent Vaccinia virus was used as the vaccine in the campaign to eradicate smallpox. After the disease was eradicated, recombinant Vaccinia viruses were created that were capable of expressing foreign genes. This made Vaccinia‐based systems available for mammalian cell expression of recombinant protein, an advantage of which, similar to other mammalian expression systems, is authentic posttranslational modification. Generation of recombinant Vaccinia also provided an opportunity for developing Vaccinia‐based vaccines for use against nonpoxvirus diseases. In this respect, recombinant Vaccinia virus and recombinant versions of an attenuated derivative, Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) have been extensively studied. Today, there are recombinant Vaccinia viruses expressing foreign antigens in phases I–III clinical trials relating to viral, bacterial, parasitic and cancer‐related diseases, and a licensed veterinary vaccine.

Key Concepts

Smallpox was eradicated following a vaccination campaign in which live Vaccinia virus was used as the vaccine.

Foreign genes can be inserted into the Vaccinia virus genome to create recombinant Vaccinia virus strains.

The Vaccinia virus expression system allows for mammalian cell expression of recombinant protein, an advantage of which is authentic posttranslational modification.

Recombinant Vaccinia can deliver vaccine antigens and evoke potent cell‐mediated and humoral responses specific to the inserted gene.

Vaccination with recombinant organisms can confer protection against viral, bacterial, parasitic and cancer‐related diseases.
Egg Activation
Authors: Zhang Zijing , Wolfner Mariana F , Williams Carmen J 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Egg activation is the process of converting the female gamete, known as an oocyte or egg, into a cell that can support embryogenesis. In many organisms, this process is triggered by the fertilising sperm, but some organisms trigger egg activation by other mechanisms. Here we review the physiological state of the egg before activation, the mechanisms used to initiate egg activation, and the downstream cellular changes that must occur for a successful transition into a developing embryo. We will consider egg activation as it occurs in both invertebrate and vertebrate model systems, highlighting key similarities and differences between them.

Key Concepts

Animal eggs must undergo a process of ‘activation’ to allow them to initiate embryo development.

Egg activation transitions a mature – but arrested – oocyte to a totipotent cell that can initiate mitosis and embryogenesis.

Activation is triggered by a rise in calcium that sweeps across the egg in wave(s).

The calcium wave is triggered by fertilisation in vertebrates, echinoderms, and molluscs and by sperm‐independent mechanical triggers in insects.

The calcium wave is propagated through release of calcium from internal stores.

The calcium rise triggers events including completion of meiosis, reorganisation of the sperm nucleus into a male pronucleus, translation of some stored maternal mRNAs and destruction of others in the egg, modulation of the phosphoproteome of the egg, and modification of the egg's membranes and external coverings to block fertilisation by additional sperm.