131 research outputs found
An exploratory case study of the social interactions among baccalaureate nursing students in a cooperative group learning environment
The purpose of this research was to explore the social interactions among baccalaureate nursing students in a cooperative group learning environment. The following research questions were formulated to guide the research: (1) In a cooperative group learning environment, how do the social interactions among baccalaureate nursing students influence their course content learning? (2) In a cooperative group learning environment, how do the social interactions among baccalaureate nursing students influence their professional development? Students enrolled in an upper division nursing program were selected for this study. Age, gender, and ethnicity were considered in placing students in five groups. Data included student journals, interviews, and observations using protocols to form a case study database. Using grounded theory, data were analyzed using Lincoln and Guba\u27s (1985) constant comparative method and Spradley\u27s (1980) componential analysis method. Using Moreno\u27s (1934/1953) network analyses, sociometric indices were done on the social interactions. The mean numerical final exam scores for each group were used to triangulate data quantitatively. Sociometric indices revealed that social interactions of students working in groups have a moderate to high influence on learning of the course content and a moderate influence on professional development. Themes influencing students\u27 learning of the course content related to shared knowledge, teamwork, group structure, and group activity. Themes impeding students\u27 learning related to student relationships, ineffective group activities, and lack of student involvement. Themes influencing professional development related to role development, interpersonal relationship skills, teamwork, and shared knowledge. Themes hindering professional development related to ineffective group activities, inappropriate interpersonal relationship skills, and lack of student involvement. Final course grades were not significantly different. Results of this study indicate some students\u27 professional development is promoted by working in groups. Future studies focusing on the outcome measurements of knowledge development and professional socialization from other learning theories, such as problem-based learning and web-based learning, are recommended
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Making Sense of Co-Mentoring Relationships: Peer Mentor Perspectives
This mixed methods qualitative thesis examined the relationships between co-mentors in the Faculty Student Mentor Program at Oregon State University through the reported experiences/perceptions of peer mentors. The researcher gathered information for this study utilizing data from two focus groups, a survey of peer mentors, and a review of relevant literature. The data analysis yielded three themes surrounding the experiences of peer mentors in this co-mentoring program; (a) power dynamics, (b) mentoring structures, and (c) peer mentor perspectives. As mentoring programs continue to expand and evolve within the realm of higher education, the findings provided by this study will hopefully encourage institutions to break the traditional mold of one-on-one faculty mentor programs and embrace new mentoring practices that utilize the expertise of faculty, students and staff in collaboration with one another. In addition, this study provides researchers with new knowledge surrounding the relationships of co-mentors within a formal mentoring program that will hopefully spark future research that examines the relationships of co-mentors from varying perspectives.
Keywords: co-mentor, peer mentor, faculty mento
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutant VAPBP56S perturbs calcium homeostasis to disrupt axonal transport of mitochondria
A proline-to-serine substitution at position 56 in the gene encoding vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB; VAPBP56S) causes some dominantly inherited familial forms of motor neuron disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) type-8. Here, we show that expression of ALS mutant VAPBP56S but not wild-type VAPB in neurons selectively disrupts anterograde axonal transport of mitochondria. VAPBP56S-induced disruption of mitochondrial transport involved reductions in the frequency, velocity and persistence of anterograde mitochondrial movement. Anterograde axonal transport of mitochondria is mediated by the microtubule-based molecular motor kinesin-1. Attachment of kinesin-1 to mitochondria involves the outer mitochondrial membrane protein mitochondrial Rho GTPase-1 (Miro1) which acts as a sensor for cytosolic calcium levels ([Ca2+]c); elevated [Ca2+]c disrupts mitochondrial transport via an effect on Miro1. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying the VAPBP56S effect on mitochondrial transport, we monitored [Ca2+]c levels in VAPBP56S-expressing neurons. Expression of VAPBP56S but not VAPB increased resting [Ca2+]c and this was associated with a reduction in the amounts of tubulin but not kinesin-1 that were associated with Miro1. Moreover, expression of a Ca2+ insensitive mutant of Miro1 rescued defective mitochondrial axonal transport and restored the amounts of tubulin associated with the Miro1/kinesin-1 complex to normal in VAPBP56S-expressing cells. Our results suggest that ALS mutant VAPBP56S perturbs anterograde mitochondrial axonal transport by disrupting Ca2+ homeostasis and effecting the Miro1/kinesin-1 interaction with tubulin
'They Survive Despite The Organizational Culture, Not Because Of It': A Longitudinal Study Of New Staff Perceptions Of What Constitutes Support During The Transition To An Acute Tertiary Facility
Increasing difficulties of recruitment and retention of nursing staff strongly indicate that organizations should identify factors that contribute to successful transition of new staff to the workplace. Although many studies have identified problems facing new staff, fewer studies have articulated best practices. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to ascertain what new staff perceived as supportive elements implemented by the organization to assist their integration. Sixteen staff in Phase I and 12 staff in Phase II attended focus groups. The focus groups at 2-3 months provided specific information, with particular emphasis on negative interactions with other staff members and inadequate learning assistance and support. Different themes emerged within the focus groups at 6-9 months. Staff discussed being "self-reliant" and "getting to know the system". Participants indicated that these skills might be beneficial to new staff in the development of organizational "know how" and resourcefulness, rather than relying on preceptor support that, unfortunately, cannot be always guaranteed
STRAW-b (STRings for Absorption length in Water-b): the second pathfinder mission for the Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment
Since 2018, the potential for a high-energy neutrino telescope, named the
Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment (P-ONE), has been thoroughly examined by two
pathfinder missions, STRAW and STRAW-b, short for short for Strings for
Absorption Length in Water. The P-ONE project seeks to install a neutrino
detector with a one cubic kilometer volume in the Cascadia Basin's deep marine
surroundings, situated near the western shores of Vancouver Island, Canada. To
assess the environmental conditions and feasibility of constructing a neutrino
detector of that scale, the pathfinder missions, STRAW and STRAW-b, have been
deployed at a depth of 2.7 km within the designated site for P-ONE and were
connected to the NEPTUNE observatory, operated by Ocean Networks Canada (ONC).
While STRAW focused on analyzing the optical properties of water in the
Cascadia Basin, \ac{strawb} employed cameras and spectrometers to investigate
the characteristics of bioluminescence in the deep-sea environment. This report
introduces the STRAW-b concept, covering its scientific objectives and the
instrumentation used. Furthermore, it discusses the design considerations
implemented to guarantee a secure and dependable deployment process of STRAW-b.
Additionally, it showcases the data collected by battery-powered loggers, which
monitored the mechanical stress on the equipment throughout the deployment. The
report also offers an overview of STRAW-b's operation, with a specific emphasis
on the notable advancements achieved in the data acquisition (DAQ) system and
its successful integration with the server infrastructure of ONC.Comment: 20 pages, 11 figures, 2 table
Motor neuron intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of FUS-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
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