Study of Arabidopsis thaliana seed development : occurrence of germinability

Seed germination sensu stricto is defined as the physiological events before the radicle tip ruptures the covering tissues. The ability of the radicle to elongate (or germination potential) is observed in developing embryos prior to completion of seed maturation. When embryos at early developmental stages, such as globular, heart, torpedo or walking-stick are excised and grown in media, germination potential is not observed. Following these stages, embryos start to acquire germination potential. This thesis research focused on the mechanisms of the induction of germinability in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) developing seeds. A mutant with embryo defects was also analyzed in this research to gain insights into embryogenesis and germination. The mutant named embryo ball (eb) arrests after the globular-like stage yet continued cell growth to some extent. While desiccated mature eb seeds were unable to germinate, if developing embryos were excised and placed on media, the main root elongated. eb also exhibited abnormal root hair growth from the apical portion of the embryo. The hypocotyl and cotyledons were missing in eb embryos in mature seeds. When eb embryos were grown on media, vegetative leaf-like structures with trichomes were formed and the main and subsequent lateral roots developed normally. Some eb embryos exhibited desiccation tolerance which is characteristic of wild-type (WT) mature embryos. Thus, while morphological maturation does not seem essential for the induction of germination potential, physiological maturation of the embryonic cells plays an important role in determining germination potential

Current End-of-Life Care Needs and Care Practices in Acute Care Hospitals

A descriptive-comparative study was undertaken to examine current end-of-life care needs and practices in hospital. A chart review for all 1,018 persons who died from August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009 in two full-service Canadian hospitals was conducted. Most decedents were elderly (73.8%) and urbanite (79.5%), and cancer was the most common diagnosis (36.2%). Only 13.8% had CPR performed at some point during this hospitalization and 8.8% had CPR immediately preceding death, with 87.5% having a DNR order and 30.8% providing an advance directive. Most (97.3%) had one or more life-sustaining technologies in use at the time of death. These figures indicate, when compared to those in a similar mid-1990s Canadian study, that impending death is more often openly recognized and addressed. Technologies continue to be routinely but controversially used. The increased rate of end-stage CPR from 2.9% to 8.8% could reflect a 1994+ shift of expected deaths out of hospital

An Examination of Palliative or End-of-Life Care Education in Introductory Nursing Programs across Canada

An investigation was done to assess for and describe the end-of-life education provided in Canadian nursing programs to prepare students for practice. All 35 university nursing schools/faculties were surveyed in 2004; 29 (82.9%) responded. At that time, all but one routinely provided this education, with that school developing a course (implemented the next year). As compared to past surveys, this survey revealed more class time, practicum hours, and topics covered, with this content and experiences deliberately planned and placed in curriculums. A check in 2010 revealed that all of these schools were providing death education similar to that described in 2004. These findings indicate that nurse educators recognize the need for all nurses to be prepared to care for dying persons and their families. Regardless, more needs to be done to ensure novice nurses feel capable of providing end-of-life care. Death education developments will be needed as deaths increase with population aging

The Best Available Evidence: Assessing the Quality of Nursing Students’ Bibliographies

Librarians and academic staff suggest a relationship between the quality of references which students use in academic assignments and the marks received. This study tested that assertion by using a citation analysis methodology to assess the quality of bibliographies written by undergraduate nursing students at the University of York.Bibliographies from sixty essays across three modules were analysed, noting the types and quantities of references used and whether references were sourced independently or included in the module’s reading list. Each bibliography was given an overall quality rating: ‘Poor’, ‘Average’ or ‘Good’. This rating was compared with the mark the student was awarded for the essay.Results showed that, whilst students demonstrated the ability to locate items independently, the quality of those items was often poor. Generally, quality of selected sources and bibliographies improved as students progressed through the programme. There was an association between higher quality bibliographies and higher assignment marks.The study concludes that critical thinking skills are vital for nursing students to develop academically, as these skills will be tested within a clinical environment once students have completed their degree. A benefit for students is the conclusion that using higher quality sources results in higher marks

Age-Based Differences in Care Setting Transitions over the Last Year of Life

Context. Little is known about the number and types of moves made in the last year of life to obtain healthcare and end-of-life support, with older adults more vulnerable to care setting transition issues. Research Objective. Compare care setting transitions across older (65+ years) and younger individuals. Design. Secondary analyses of provincial hospital and ambulatory database data. Every individual who lived in the province for one year prior to death from April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2007 was retained (N = 19, 397). Results. Transitions averaged 3.5, with 3.9 and 3.4 for younger and older persons, respectively. Older persons also had fewer ER and ambulatory visits, fewer procedures performed in the last year of life, but longer inpatient stays (42.7 days versus 36.2 for younger persons). Conclusion. Younger and older persons differ somewhat in the number and type of end-of-life care setting transitions, a matter for continuing research and healthcare policy