E-Learning in Nursing: The Effectiveness of Interactivity

As advances in technology shape education in all disciplines, incorporating e-learning into nursing curriculum is desirable. The goal of this research was to determine if e-learning is beneficial in enhancing nursing skills in nursing students. This paper will not only look at the research on e-learning, but will examine whether this helps nursing students at St. Catherine University practice their nursing skills in a new way. Participants were female nursing students from St. Catherine University. A nursing simulation game was developed. Participants took a survey before and after they played the simulation. Results showed that a majority of participants found the game beneficial and indicated that utilizing this type of e-learning is desired

Use of Bridges as Day Roosts by Bats in Southern Illinois

From May through July 2001, and June through August 2002 we surveyed 232 bridges in 9 southern Illinois counties for the presence of roosting bats. Fifteen bridges (6.5%) had bats roosting at the time they were surveyed. We encountered big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) most frequently. Eastern pipestrelles (Pipestrellus subflavus), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), and northern long-eared bats (M. septentrionalis) also were found roosting under bridges. The number of bats per bridge ranged from 1 to \u3e100. Bats occurred in four of the five types of bridge designs surveyed. Of the 15 bridges with bats, 11 were rechecked at a later date to determine continuity of use. Seven of the 11 (63.6%) were being used by bats when rechecked. From this, we derived an estimated usage rate of 23.6 bridges (15/0.636) during the study, or about 10% of the 232 bridges surveyed. We could not determine relationships between bat presence and habitat features around bridges

Synaptotagmin 1 oligomers clamp and regulate different modes of neurotransmitter release

Release of neurotransmitters relies on submillisecond coupling of synaptic vesicle fusion to the triggering signal: AP-evoked presynaptic Ca2+ influx. The key player that controls exocytosis of the synaptic vesicle is the Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1). While the Ca2+ activation of Syt1 has been extensively characterized, how Syt1 reversibly clamps vesicular fusion remains enigmatic. Here, using a targeted mutation combined with fluorescence imaging and electrophysiology, we show that the structural feature of Syt1 to self-oligomerize provides the molecular basis for clamping of spontaneous and asynchronous release but is not required for triggering of synchronous release. Our findings propose a mechanistic model that explains how Syt1 oligomers regulate different modes of transmitter release in neuronal synapses

Conceptual frameworks linking agriculture and food security

Many conceptual frameworks have been developed to facilitate understanding and analysis of the linkages between agriculture and food security. Despite having usefully guided analysis and investment, these frameworks exhibit wide diversity in perspectives, assumptions and application. This Review Article examines this diversity, providing an approach to assess frameworks and suggesting improvements in the way they are specified and applied. Using criteria-based systems modelling conventions, we evaluate 36 frameworks. We find that many frameworks are developed for the purpose of illustration rather than analysis and do not clearly indicate causal relationships, tending to ignore the dynamic (stability) dimensions of agriculture and food security and lacking clear intervention points for improving food security through agriculture. By applying system modelling conventions to a widely used framework, we illustrate how such conventions can enhance the usefulness of a framework for overall illustration purposes, delineate hypotheses on agriculture–food security links and examine potential impacts of interventions.acceptedVersio

Construction and sequence sampling of deep-coverage, large-insert BAC libraries for three model lepidopteran species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Manduca sexta, Heliothis virescens</it>, and <it>Heliconius erato </it>represent three widely-used insect model species for genomic and fundamental studies in Lepidoptera. Large-insert BAC libraries of these insects are critical resources for many molecular studies, including physical mapping and genome sequencing, but not available to date.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We report the construction and characterization of six large-insert BAC libraries for the three species and sampling sequence analysis of the genomes. The six BAC libraries were constructed with two restriction enzymes, two libraries for each species, and each has an average clone insert size ranging from 152–175 kb. We estimated that the genome coverage of each library ranged from 6–9 ×, with the two combined libraries of each species being equivalent to 13.0–16.3 × haploid genomes. The genome coverage, quality and utility of the libraries were further confirmed by library screening using 6~8 putative single-copy probes. To provide a first glimpse into these genomes, we sequenced and analyzed the BAC ends of ~200 clones randomly selected from the libraries of each species. The data revealed that the genomes are AT-rich, contain relatively small fractions of repeat elements with a majority belonging to the category of low complexity repeats, and are more abundant in retro-elements than DNA transposons. Among the species, the <it>H. erato </it>genome is somewhat more abundant in repeat elements and simple repeats than those of <it>M. sexta </it>and <it>H. virescens</it>. The BLAST analysis of the BAC end sequences suggested that the evolution of the three genomes is widely varied, with the genome of <it>H. virescens </it>being the most conserved as a typical lepidopteran, whereas both genomes of <it>H. erato </it>and <it>M. sexta </it>appear to have evolved significantly, resulting in a higher level of species- or evolutionary lineage-specific sequences.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The high-quality and large-insert BAC libraries of the insects, together with the identified BACs containing genes of interest, provide valuable information, resources and tools for comprehensive understanding and studies of the insect genomes and for addressing many fundamental questions in Lepidoptera. The sample of the genomic sequences provides the first insight into the constitution and evolution of the insect genomes.</p

Interventions to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption using a nudge approach in Victorian community sports settings

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of interventions using a nudge approach to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage purchases in community sports settings. Methods: A total of 155 community sporting organisations participating in VicHealth funded programs were invited to nominate a nudge based on a traffic light approach to drinks classification. These included limit red drinks, red drinks off display, water the cheapest option, and meal deals. Sales data was collected for a predetermined period prior to and following the introduction of the nudge. Nudges were classified initially on whether they were implemented to VicHealth standards. Appropriately implemented nudges were classified as successful if they achieved a relative decrease in sales from drinks classified as red. Results: In all, 148 organisations trialled 195 nudges; 15 (7.7%) were successful and 20 (10.3%) were appropriately implemented but unsuccessful. Limit red drinks was the most frequently attempted nudge (30.8%). Red drinks off display had the greatest rate of success (20.0%). Conclusions: Red drinks off display was the simplest and most successful nudge. Implications for public health: Guidelines limiting the display of sugar-sweetened beverages may be an effective means of altering consumer behaviour

Use of Bridges as Day Roosts by Bats in Southern Illinois

ABSTRACT From May through July 2001, and June through August 2002 we surveyed 232 bridges in 9 southern Illinois counties for the presence of roosting bats. Fifteen bridges (6.5%) had bats roosting at the time they were surveyed. We encountered big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) most frequently. Eastern pipestrelles (Pipestrellus subflavus), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), and northern long-eared bats (M. septentrionalis) also were found roosting under bridges. The number of bats per bridge ranged from 1 to &gt;100. Bats occurred in four of the five types of bridge designs surveyed. Of the 15 bridges with bats, 11 were rechecked at a later date to determine continuity of use. Seven of the 11 (63.6%) were being used by bats when rechecked. From this, we derived an estimated usage rate of 23.6 bridges (15/0.636) during the study, or about 10% of the 232 bridges surveyed. We could not determine relationships between bat presence and habitat features around bridges

Changes in weight and health behaviors after pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: The CARDIA Study

We compared pre- to post-pregnancy change in weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, diet and physical activity in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Using the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study we identified women with at least one pregnancy during 20 years of follow-up (n=1,488 with 3,125 pregnancies). We used linear regression with generalized estimating equations to compare pre- to post-pregnancy changes in health behaviors and anthropometric measurements between 137 GDM pregnancies and 1,637 non GDM pregnancies, adjusted for parity, age at delivery, outcome measure at the pre-pregnancy exam, race, education, mode of delivery, and interval between delivery and post-pregnancy examination.Compared with women without GDM in pregnancy, women with GDM had higher pre-pregnancy mean weight (158.3 vs. 149.6 lb, p=0.011) and BMI (26.7 vs. 25.1 kg/m2, p=0.002), but non-significantly lower total daily caloric intake and similar levels of physical activity. Both GDM and non GDM groups had higher average postpartum weight of 7–8 lbs and decreased physical activity on average 1.4 years after pregnancy. Both groups similarly increased total caloric intake but reduced fast food frequency. Pre- to post- pregnancy changes in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, physical activity and diet did not differ between women with and without GDM in pregnancy.Following pregnancy women with and without GDM increased caloric intake, BMI and weight, decreased physical activity, but reduced their frequency of eating fast food. Given these trends, postpartum lifestyle interventions, particularly for women with GDM, are needed to reduce obesity and diabetes risk

Self-management skills in adolescents with chronic rheumatic disease: A cross-sectional survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>For adolescents with a diagnosis of lifelong chronic illness, mastery of self-management skills is a critical component of the transition to adult care. This study aims to examine self-reported medication adherence and self-care skills among adolescents with chronic rheumatic disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional survey of 52 adolescent patients in the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic at UCSF. Outcome measures were self-reported medication adherence, medication regimen knowledge and independence in health care tasks. Predictors of self-management included age, disease perception, self-care agency, demographics and self-reported health status. Bivariate associations were assessed using the Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher exact test as appropriate. Independence in self-management tasks were compared between subjects age 13-16 and 17-20 using the chi-squared test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Subjects were age 13-20 years (mean 15.9); 79% were female. Diagnoses included juvenile idiopathic arthritis (44%), lupus (35%), and other rheumatic conditions (21%). Mean disease duration was 5.3 years (SD 4.0). Fifty four percent reported perfect adherence to medications, 40% reported 1-2 missed doses per week, and 6% reported missing 3 or more doses. The most common reason for missing medications was forgetfulness. Among health care tasks, there was an age-related increase in ability to fill prescriptions, schedule appointments, arrange transportation, ask questions of doctors, manage insurance, and recognize symptoms of illness. Ability to take medications as directed, keep a calendar of appointments, and maintain a personal medical file did not improve with age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study suggests that adolescents with chronic rheumatic disease may need additional support to achieve independence in self-management.</p