bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Teacher Competences required for developing reflection skills of nursing students
Authors: Dekker‐Groen Agaath M. , van der Schaaf Marieke F. , Stokking Karel M. 
Published: February 2011

dekker‐groen a.m., van der schaaf m.f. & stokking k.m. (2011) Teacher Competences required for developing reflection skills of nursing students. Journal of Advanced Nursing67(7), 1568–1579.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study in senior secondary vocational education designed to develop a framework for teacher competences to support nursing students in developing their reflection skills.Background.  For healthcare‐related professions such as nursing, there is a growing attention for developing reflection skills. Little is known about teacher competences required to support the development of reflection skills in nursing students. Developing a framework of teacher competences can contribute to filling up this gap. These competences are described in 91 indicators distributed over six task domains.Methods.  A Delphi study was conducted in the first half year of 2008 to get consensus on a framework of teacher competences required for creating the learning environment needed for developing reflection skills in nursing students. Experts judged teacher competences on a seven‐point Likert‐type scale.Findings.  In the first round, mean scores on the teacher competences were already high. Minor revisions were needed. In the second round, mean scores increased, whereas standard deviations decreased in round 2 compared with round 1. These changes were statistically significant. Coaching was seen as most important task domain.Conclusion.  Consensus has been reached on teacher competences to be used in nursing education to develop students’ reflection skills. The framework of competences may be a source for curriculum development concerning reflection skills and for teacher training programmes to coach nursing students’ reflections.
Management of perimenstrual symptoms among young Taiwanese nursing students
Authors: Cheng Han‐Fu 
Published: February 2011

Aim and objective.  To determine the frequency and distribution of medications used by Taiwanese nursing students for dysmenorrhoea and to investigate potential associations between perimenstrual symptoms and selection of medications.Background.  Dysmenorrhoea is a symptom‐complex. It is also the leading cause of short‐term school absence and is associated with a negative impact on academic and daily activities. The effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medications for ameliorating dysmenorrhoea has been well‐documented. However, no publications were found to examine the selection of traditional Chinese medicines, Western medications or teas among Taiwanese women for the management of dysmenorrhoea and related symptoms.Design.  A descriptive survey.Method.  Management of Menstrual Cramps Survey was distributed to a convenience sample of 2758 female nursing students in Southern Taiwan. Content validity and inter‐rater reliability were applied to evaluate the measure. The descriptive statistics and chi‐square comparisons were calculated where appropriate for each of the items of the questionnaires.Results.  Perimenstrual symptoms were statistically significant indicators for the use of any combination of Western medications, traditional Chinese medicines or teas. Data revealed that there were statistically significant association between perimenstrual symptoms and the uses of traditional Chinese medicines (χ2 = 3·876, df = 1, p = 0·031) or Western medications (χ2 = 10·171, df = 1, p < 0·01).Conclusions.  Panadol and Si‐Wu‐Tang were the most frequently used medications among Western medicines and traditional Chinese medicines, respectively. However, Western medications were used for a broader spectrum of symptoms than traditional Chinese medicines.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings have implications for professional nurses, nurse researchers and society. Nurses teach and promote health, which includes the communication of medication‐related information. To teach young women in Taiwan about the options available for relief of perimenstrual symptoms is significant.
Decrease in leaf sucrose synthesis leads to increased leaf starch turnover and decreased RuBP regeneration‐limited photosynthesis but not Rubisco‐limited photosynthesis in Arabidopsis null mutants of SPSA1
Authors: SUN JINDONG , ZHANG JISEN , LARUE CLAYTON T. , HUBER STEVEN C. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTWe investigated the individual effect of null mutations of each of the four sucrose‐phosphate synthase (SPS) genes in Arabidopsis (SPSA1, SPSA2, SPSB and SPSC) on photosynthesis and carbon partitioning. Null mutants spsa1 and spsc led to decreases in maximum SPS activity in leaves by 80 and 13%, respectively, whereas null mutants spsa2 and spsb had no significant effect. Consistently, isoform‐specific antibodies detected only the SPSA1 and SPSC proteins in leaf extracts. Leaf photosynthesis at ambient [CO2] was not different among the genotypes but was 20% lower in spsa1 mutants when measured under saturating [CO2] levels. Carbon partitioning at ambient [CO2] was altered only in the spsa1 null mutant. Cold treatment of plants (4 °C for 96 h) increased leaf soluble sugars and starch and increased the leaf content of SPSA1 and SPSC proteins twofold to threefold, and of the four null mutants, only spsa1 reduced leaf non‐structural carbohydrate accumulation in response to cold treatment. It is concluded that SPSA1 plays a major role in photosynthetic sucrose synthesis in Arabidopsis leaves, and decreases in leaf SPS activity lead to increased starch synthesis and starch turnover and decreased Ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate regeneration‐limited photosynthesis but not ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco)‐limited photosynthesis, indicating a limitation of triose‐phosphate utilization (TPU).
Climate‐related trends in sapwood biophysical properties in two conifers: avoidance of hydraulic dysfunction through coordinated adjustments in xylem efficiency, safety and capacitance
Authors: BARNARD DAVID M. , MEINZER FREDERICK C. , LACHENBRUCH BARBARA , MCCULLOH KATHERINE A. , JOHNSON DANIEL M. , WOODRUFF DAVID R. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTIn the Pacific north‐west, the Cascade Mountain Range blocks much of the precipitation and maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in distinct climates east and west of the mountains. The current study aimed to investigate relationships between water storage and transport properties in populations of Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) adapted to both climates. Sapwood thickness, capacitance, vulnerability to embolism, and axial and radial conductivity were measured on samples collected from trunks of mature trees. The sapwood of ponderosa pine was three to four times thicker than Douglas‐fir. Radial conductivity was higher in west‐side populations of both species, but axial conductivity was higher in the east‐side populations and in Douglas‐fir. Eastern populations of both species had sapwood that was more vulnerable to embolism than west‐side populations. Sapwood capacitance was similar between species, but was about twice as great in east‐side populations (580 kg m−3 MPa−1) as in west‐side populations (274 kg m−3 MPa−1). Capacitance was positively correlated with both mean embolism pressure and axial conductivity across species and populations, suggesting that coordinated adjustments in xylem efficiency, safety and water storage capacity may serve to avoid embolism along a gradient of increasing aridity.
Circadian control of root elongation and C partitioning in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: YAZDANBAKHSH NIMA , SULPICE RONAN , GRAF ALEXANDER , STITT MARK , FISAHN JOACHIM 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTPlants grow in a light/dark cycle. We have investigated how growth is buffered against the resulting changes in the carbon supply. Growth of primary roots of Arabidopsis seedlings was monitored using time‐resolved video imaging. The average daily rate of growth is increased in longer light periods or by addition of sugars. It responds slowly over days when the conditions are changed. The momentary rate of growth exhibits a robust diel oscillation with a minimum 8–9 h after dawn and a maximum towards the end of the night. Analyses with starch metabolism mutants show that starch turnover is required to maintain growth at night. A carbon shortfall leads to an inhibition of growth, which is not immediately reversed when carbon becomes available again. The diel oscillation persists in continuous light and is strongly modified in clock mutants. Central clock functions that depend on CCA1/LHY are required to set an appropriate rate of starch degradation and maintain a supply of carbon to support growth through to dawn, whereas ELF3 acts to decrease growth in the light period and promote growth in the night. Thus, while the overall growth rate depends on the carbon supply, the clock orchestrates diurnal carbon allocation and growth.
Sequential depolarization of root cortical and stelar cells induced by an acute salt shock – implications for Na+ and K+ transport into xylem vessels
Authors: WEGNER LARS H. , STEFANO GIOVANNI , SHABALA LANA , ROSSI MARIKA , MANCUSO STEFANO , SHABALA SERGEY 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTEarly events in NaCl‐induced root ion and water transport were investigated in maize (Zea mays L) roots using a range of microelectrode and imaging techniques. Addition of 100 mm NaCl to the bath resulted in an exponential drop in root xylem pressure, rapid depolarization of trans‐root potential and a transient drop in xylem K+ activity (AK+) within ∼1 min after stress onset. At this time, no detectable amounts of Na+ were released into the xylem vessels. The observed drop in AK+ was unexpected, given the fact that application of the physiologically relevant concentrations of Na+ to isolated stele has caused rapid plasma membrane depolarization and a subsequent K+ efflux from the stelar tissues. This controversy was explained by the difference in kinetics of NaCl‐induced depolarization between cortical and stelar cells. As root cortical cells are first to be depolarized and lose K+ to the environment, this is associated with some K+ shift from the stelar symplast to the cortex, resulting in K+ being transiently removed from the xylem. Once Na+ is loaded into the xylem (between 1 and 5 min of root exposure to NaCl), stelar cells become more depolarized, and a gradual recovery in AK+ occurs.
Over‐expression of PHO1 in Arabidopsis leaves reveals its role in mediating phosphate efflux
Authors: Stefanovic Aleksandra , Arpat A. Bulak , Bligny Richard , Gout Elisabeth , Vidoudez Charles , Bensimon Michaël , Poirier Yves 
Published: February 2011

SummaryInorganic phosphate (Pi) homeostasis in multi‐cellular eukaryotes depends not only on Pi influx into cells, but also on Pi efflux. Examples in plants for which Pi efflux is crucial are transfer of Pi into the xylem of roots and release of Pi at the peri‐arbuscular interface of mycorrhizal roots. Despite its importance, no protein has been identified that specifically mediates phosphate efflux either in animals or plants. The Arabidopsis thaliana PHO1 gene is expressed in roots, and was previously shown to be involved in long‐distance transfer of Pi from the root to the shoot. Here we show that PHO1 over‐expression in the shoot of A. thaliana led to a two‐ to threefold increase in shoot Pi content and a severe reduction in shoot growth. 31P‐NMR in vivo showed a normal initial distribution of intracellular Pi between the cytoplasm and the vacuole in leaves over‐expressing PHO1, followed by a large efflux of Pi into the infiltration medium, leading to a rapid reduction of the vacuolar Pi pool. Furthermore, the Pi concentration in leaf xylem exudates from intact plants was more than 100‐fold higher in PHO1 over‐expressing plants compared to wild‐type. Together, these results show that PHO1 over‐expression in leaves leads to a dramatic efflux of Pi out of cells and into the xylem vessel, revealing a crucial role for PHO1 in Pi efflux.
A revised mineral nutrient supplement increases biomass and growth rate in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Kropat Janette , Hong‐Hermesdorf Anne , Casero David , Ent Petr , Castruita Madeli , Pellegrini Matteo , Merchant Sabeeha S. , Malasarn Davin 
Published: February 2011

SummaryInterest in exploiting algae as a biofuel source and the role of inorganic nutrient deficiency in inducing triacylglyceride (TAG) accumulation in cells necessitates a strategy to efficiently formulate species‐specific culture media that can easily be manipulated. Using the reference organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we tested the hypothesis that modeling trace element supplements after the cellular ionome would result in optimized cell growth. We determined the trace metal content of several commonly used Chlamydomonas strains in various culture conditions and developed a revised trace element solution to parallel these measurements. Comparison of cells growing in the revised supplement versus a traditional trace element solution revealed faster growth rates and higher maximum cell densities with the revised recipe. RNA‐seq analysis of cultures growing in the traditional versus revised medium suggest that the variation in transcriptomes was smaller than that found between different wild‐type strains grown in traditional Hutner’s supplement. Visual observation did not reveal defects in cell motility or mating efficiency in the new supplement. Ni2+‐inducible expression from the CYC6 promoter remained a useful tool, albeit with an increased requirement for Ni2+ because of the introduction of an EDTA buffer system in the revised medium. Other advantages include more facile preparation of trace element stock solutions, a reduction in total chemical use, a more consistent batch‐to‐batch formulation and long‐term stability (tested up to 5 years). Under the new growth regime, we analyzed cells growing under different macro‐ and micronutrient deficiencies. TAG accumulation in N deficiency is comparable in the new medium. Fe and Zn deficiency also induced TAG accumulation, as suggested by Nile Red staining. This approach can be used to efficiently optimize culture conditions for other algal species to improve growth and to assay cell physiology.
Neuroimmune regulation of alcohol consumption: behavioral validation of genes obtained from genomic studies
Authors: Blednov Yuri A. , Ponomarev Igor , Geil Chelsea , Bergeson Susan , Koob George F. , Harris R. Adron 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAnalysis of mouse brain gene expression, using strains that differ in alcohol consumption, provided a number of novel candidate genes that potentially regulate alcohol consumption. We selected six genes [beta‐2‐microglobulin (B2m), cathepsin S (Ctss), cathepsin F (Ctsf), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (Il1rn), CD14 molecule (Cd14) and interleukin 6 (Il6)] for behavioral validation using null mutant mice. These genes are known to be important for immune responses but were not specifically linked to alcohol consumption by previous research. Null mutant mice were tested for ethanol intake in three tests: 24‐hour two‐bottle choice, limited access two‐bottle choice and limited access to one bottle of ethanol. Ethanol consumption and preference were reduced in all the null mutant mice in the 24‐hour two‐bottle choice test, the test that was the basis for selection of these genes. No major differences were observed in consumption of saccharin or quinine in the null mutant mice. Deletion of B2m, Ctss, Il1rn, Cd14 and Il6 also reduced ethanol consumption in the limited access two bottle choice test for ethanol intake; with the Il1rn and Ctss null mutants showing reduced intake in all three tests (with some variation between males and females). These results provide the most compelling evidence to date that global gene expression analysis can identify novel genetic determinants of complex behavioral traits. Specifically, they suggest a novel role for neuroimmune signaling in regulation of alcohol consumption.
Reversal of cocaine‐conditioned place preference and mesocorticolimbic Zif268 expression by social interaction in rats
Authors: Fritz Michael , El Rawas Rana , Salti Ahmad , Klement Sabine , Bardo Michael T. , Kemmler Georg , Dechant Georg , Saria Alois , Zernig Gerald 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTLittle is known how social interaction, if offered as an alternative to drug consumption, affects neural circuits involved in drug reinforcement and substance dependence. Conditioned place preference (CPP) for cocaine (15 mg/kg i.p.) or social interaction (15 minutes) as an alternative stimulus was investigated in male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Four social interaction episodes with a male adult conspecific completely reversed cocaine CPP and were even able to prevent reacquisition of cocaine CPP. Social interaction also reversed cocaine CPP‐induced expression of the immediate‐early gene zif268 in the nucleus accumbens shell, the central and basolateral amygdala and the ventral tegmental area. These findings suggest that social interaction, if offered in a context that is clearly distinct from the previously drug‐associated ones, may profoundly decrease the incentive salience of drug‐associated contextual stimuli. The novel experimental design facilitates the neurobiological investigation of this phenomenon which may be beneficial for human drug users in treatment.
Sex and estrous cycle differences in cocaine‐induced approach‐avoidance conflict
Authors: Kerstetter Kerry A. , Su Zu‐In , Ettenberg Aaron , Kippin Tod E. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTHuman and animal research indicates that females may have a higher biological propensity for cocaine abuse than do males. Furthermore, reproductive status modulates the subjective effects of cocaine in women and self‐administration rates in rats. Despite the attention that has been given to the modulation of appetitive responses by reproductive status and the well‐known mixed positive and negative subjective effects of cocaine, it is unknown if similar effects are observed on aversive responses to cocaine. The present study examines the impact of sex and estrous cycle on approach‐avoidance behavior for cocaine as measured in the runway self‐administration model. Male and freely cycling female Sprague Dawley rats were trained to traverse a straight alley for single daily injections of 1.0 mg/kg intravenous cocaine over 21 trials. Relative to males, females had significantly longer start latencies but significantly faster approach and shorter run times during the first week of training. Further, estrus females displayed significantly fewer approach‐avoidance retreats across all sessions relative to non‐estrus females. These results suggest that females initially exhibit greater motivation for cocaine (faster approach) than do males and that the drug's anxiogenic properties have a reduced impact on the motivation to seek cocaine (fewer retreats) in females during the estrus phase relative to other reproductive phases. These findings indicate that both sex and reproductive status contribute to the motivation for cocaine and that sex differences in addiction vulnerability may be attributable in part to differences in the motivational impact of both the appetitive and aversive properties of cocaine.
Impact of cancer on everyday life: a systematic appraisal of the research evidence
Authors: Okamoto Ikumi , Wright David , Foster Claire 
Published: February 2011

AbstractObjective  To conduct a systematic appraisal of the published literature reviews related to the impact of cancer on everyday life. This theme was identified as the top priority area for research by participants in the Macmillan Listening Study, which was the first UK‐wide public consultation exercise to identify patients’ priorities for cancer research.Search strategy  The top priority area was divided into ten sub‐themes, and a modified systematic review was undertaken for each sub‐theme using electronic searches.Inclusion criteria  Literature review papers were included if they were written in English, involved patients diagnosed ≥18 years, any cancer types and published between 2000 and 2006.Data extraction and synthesis  Two thousand and two hundred and fifty‐two potentially eligible papers were identified. Abstracts were read by the first author and selected for inclusion in the review. Twenty percentages of the papers were also read independently by other authors. Sixty‐two review papers were finally selected.Main results  The systematic appraisal revealed that some sub‐themes of the patient‐identified priority area (e.g., how to support family members of cancer patients) were under‐researched, while other sub‐themes (e.g., anxiety and depression experienced by cancer patients) had been explored to some extent. Certain areas of research interest to patients were found to have been explored; however, their significance was limited by the quality of the research.Conclusion  The systematic appraisal highlights important areas for future research and the need for more effective dissemination of study findings to wider audiences, including service users. This study also indicates the need for further research to enhance the generalizability and/or significance of findings.
The role of support groups in facilitating families in coping with a genetic condition and in discussion of genetic risk information
Authors: Plumridge Gillian , Metcalfe Alison , Coad Jane , Gill Paramjit 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground  Giving children and young people information about genetic conditions and associated risk has been shown to be important to their identity, coping and decision making. Parents, however, find talking to their children difficult, and support from health professionals is often not available to them.Objective  To explore the role of support groups in family coping, and in assisting parents’ communication about risk with children in families affected by an inherited genetic condition.Methods  Semi‐structured interviews analysed using grounded theory and informed by models focusing on aspects of family communication.Participants  Affected and unaffected children and their parents, from families affected by one of six genetic conditions, that represent different patterns of inheritance, and variations in age of onset, life expectancy and impact on families.Results  Parents often sought support they did not receive elsewhere from support groups. They identified benefits, but also potential disadvantages to this involvement. These related to the specific condition and also whether groups were run solely by parents or had professional input. Support groups rarely helped directly with family communication, but attendance often stimulated family discussion, and they provided information that improved parents’ confidence in discussing the condition.Conclusions  Support groups should be seen only as additional to the support offered by health and social care professionals. An increased understanding of the role of support groups in assisting families with genetic conditions has been highlighted, but further work is needed to explore more fully how this may be made more sustainable and far‐reaching.