2014 · Advances in virus research
Research discovery
Research papers
Search indexed scholarly records by title, author, abstract, DOI, journal, year, citation activity and full-text availability.
336 papers found.
2014 · Science
The new frontier of genome engineering with CRISPR-Cas9
The advent of facile genome engineering using the bacterial RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas9 system in animals and plants is transforming biology. We review the history of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat) biology from its initial discovery through the elucidation of the CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme mechanism, which has set the stage for remarkable developments using this technology to modify, regulate, or mark genomic loci in a wide variety of cells and organisms from all three domains of life. These results highlight a new era in which genomic manipulation is no longer a bottleneck to experiments, paving the way toward fundamental discoveries in biology, with applications in all branches of biotechnology, as well as strategies for human therapeutics.
DOI: 10.1126/science.12580962014 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Evolutionary cell biology: Two origins, one objective
All aspects of biological diversification ultimately trace to evolutionary modifications at the cellular level. This central role of cells frames the basic questions as to how cells work and how cells come to be the way they are. Although these two lines of inquiry lie respectively within the traditional provenance of cell biology and evolutionary biology, a comprehensive synthesis of evolutionary and cell-biological thinking is lacking. We define evolutionary cell biology as the fusion of these two eponymous fields with the theoretical and quantitative branches of biochemistry, biophysics, and population genetics. The key goals are to develop a mechanistic understanding of general evolutionary processes, while specifically infusing cell biology with an evolutionary perspective. The full development of this interdisciplinary field has the potential to solve numerous problems in diverse areas of biology, including the degree to which selection, effectively neutral processes, historical contingencies, and/or constraints at the chemical and biophysical levels dictate patterns of variation for intracellular features. These problems can now be examined at both the within- and among-species levels, with single-cell methodologies even allowing quantification of variation within genotypes. Some results from this emerging field have already had a substantial impact on cell biology, and future findings will significantly influence applications in agriculture, medicine, environmental science, and synthetic biology.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.14158611112014 · Cardiovascular Research
ESC Working Group Cellular Biology of the Heart: Position Paper: improving the preclinical assessment of novel cardioprotective therapies
Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. As a result, novel therapies are still needed to protect the heart from the detrimental effects of acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury, in order to improve clinical outcomes in IHD patients. In this regard, although a large number of novel cardioprotective therapies discovered in the research laboratory have been investigated in the clinical setting, only a few of these have been demonstrated to improve clinical outcomes. One potential reason for this lack of success may have been the failure to thoroughly assess the cardioprotective efficacy of these novel therapies in suitably designed preclinical experimental animal models. Therefore, the aim of this Position Paper by the European Society of Cardiology Working Group Cellular Biology of the Heart is to provide recommendations for improving the preclinical assessment of novel cardioprotective therapies discovered in the research laboratory, with the aim of increasing the likelihood of success in translating these new treatments into improved clinical outcomes.
DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvu2252014 · Science
Applying evolutionary biology to address global challenges
BACKGROUND Differences among species in their ability to adapt to environmental change threaten biodiversity, human health, food security, and natural resource availability. Pathogens, pests, and cancers often quickly evolve resistance to control measures, whereas crops, livestock, wild species, and human beings often do not adapt fast enough to cope with climate change, habitat loss, toxicants, and lifestyle change. To address these challenges, practices based on evolutionary biology can promote sustainable outcomes via strategic manipulation of genetic, developmental, and environmental factors. Successful strategies effectively slow unwanted evolution and reduce fitness in costly species or improve performance of valued organisms by reducing phenotype-environment mismatch or increasing group productivity. Tactics of applied evolutionary biology range broadly, from common policies that promote public health or preserve habitat for threatened species—but are easily overlooked as having an evolutionary rationale, to the engineering of new genomes. ADVANCES The scope and development of current tactics vary widely. In particular, genetic engineering attracts much attention (and controversy) but now is used mainly for traits under simple genetic control. Human gene therapy, which mainly involves more complex controls, has yet to be applied successfully at large scales. In contrast, other methods to alter complex traits are improving. These include artificial selection for drought- and flood-tolerant crops through bioinformatics and application of “life course” approaches in medicine to reduce human metabolic disorders. Successful control of unwanted evolution depends on governance initiatives that address challenges arising from both natural and social factors. Principal among these challenges are (i) global transfer of genes and selection agents; (ii) interlinked evolution across traditional sectors of society (environment, food, and health); and (iii) conflicts between individual and group incentives that threaten regulation of antibiotic use and crop refuges. Evolutionarily informed practices are a newer prospect in some fields and require more systematic research, as well as ethical consideration—for example, in attempts to protect wild species through assisted migration, in the choice of source populations for restoration, or in genetic engineering. OUTLOOK A more unified platform will better convey the value of evolutionary methods to the public, scientists, and decision-makers. For researchers and practitioners, applications may be expanded to other disciplines, such as in the transfer of refuge strategies that slow resistance evolution in agriculture to slow unwanted evolution elsewhere (for example, cancer resistance or harvest-induced evolution). For policy-makers, adoption of practices that minimize unwanted evolution and reduce phenotype-environment mismatch in valued species is likely essential to achieve the forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals and the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
DOI: 10.1126/science.12459932014 · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)
Improving Secondary School Students' Achievement and Retention in Biology Through Video-based Multimedia Instruction
The study examined the effects of video-based multimedia instruction on secondary school students' achievement and retention in biology. In Nigeria, 120 students (60 boys and 60 girls) were randomly selected from four secondary schools assigned either into one of three experimental groups: Animation + Narration; Animation + On-screen Text; Animation + Narration + On-screen Text or a control group. The pretest, posttest experimental, and control group design was adopted. A 50-item multiple-choice objective test termed Biology Achievement Test (BAT) was used for collecting data. The validated BAT was tested for reliability using Kuder Richardson (KR20), which yielded 0.89. T-test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and Scheffe’s post-hoc analysis were used in determining the significant differences among the four groups. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference among the experimental groups. Generally, students under multimedia instruction performed better than their colleagues in the conventional teaching method. However, students in conventional teaching method had better retention than other groups.
2014 · InSight A Journal of Scholarly Teaching
Improving Secondary School Students' Achievement and Retention in Biology Through Video-Based Multimedia Instruction
The study examined the effects of video-based multimedia instruction on secondary school students’ achievement and retention in biology. In Nigeria, 120 students (60 boys and 60 girls) were randomly selected from four secondary schools assigned either into one of three experimental groups: Animation + Narration; Animation + On-screen Text; Animation + Narration + On-screen Text or a control group. The pretest, posttest experimental, and control group design was adopted. A 50-item multiple-choice objective test termed Biology Achievement Test (BAT) was used for collecting data. The validated BAT was tested for reliability using Kuder Richardson (KR20), which yielded 0.89. T-test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and Scheffe’s post-hoc analysis were used in determining the significant differences among the four groups. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference among the experimental groups. Generally, students under multimedia instruction performed better than their colleagues in the conventional teaching method. However, students in conventional teaching method had better retention than other groups.
DOI: 10.46504/09201407ga2014 · Chinese Physics C
Review of Particle Physics
The Review summarizes much of particle physics and cosmology. Using data from previous editions, plus 3,283 new measurements from 899 papers, we list, evaluate, and average measured properties of gauge bosons and the recently discovered Higgs boson, leptons, quarks, mesons, and baryons. We summarize searches for hypothetical particles such as heavy neutrinos, supersymmetric and technicolor particles, axions, dark photons, etc. All the particle properties and search limits are listed in Summary Tables. We also give numerous tables, figures, formulae, and reviews of topics such as Supersymmetry, Extra Dimensions, Particle Detectors, Probability, and Statistics. Among the 112 reviews are many that are new or heavily revised including those on: Dark Energy, Higgs Boson Physics, Electroweak Model, Neutrino Cross Section Measurements, Monte Carlo Neutrino Generators, Top Quark, Dark Matter, Dynamical Electroweak Symmetry Breaking, Accelerator Physics of Colliders, High-Energy Collider Parameters, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, Astrophysical Constants and Cosmological Parameters. All tables, listings, and reviews (and errata) are also available on the Particle Data Group website: http://pdg.lbl.gov . Contents Abstract, Contributors, Highlights and Table of Contents Acrobat PDF (4.4 MB) Introduction Acrobat PDF (595 KB) Particle Physics Summary Tables Gauge and Higgs bosons Acrobat PDF (204 KB) Leptons Acrobat PDF (167 KB) Quarks Acrobat PDF (115 KB) Mesons Acrobat PDF (976 KB) Baryons Acrobat PDF (384 KB) Searches (Supersymmetry, Compositeness, etc.) Acrobat PDF (120 KB) Tests of conservation laws Acrobat PDF (383 KB) Reviews, Tables, and Plots Detailed contents for this section Acrobat PDF (73 KB) Constants, Units, Atomic and Nuclear Properties Acrobat PDF (395 KB) Standard Model and Related Topics Acrobat PDF (8.37 MB) Astrophysics and Cosmology Acrobat PDF (3.79 MB) Experimental Methods and Colliders Acrobat PDF (3.82 MB) Mathematical Tools of Statistics, Monte Carlo, Group Theory Acrobat PDF (1.77 MB) Kinematics, Cross-Section Formulae, and Plots <jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xl
DOI: 10.1088/1674-1137/38/9/0900012014 · Surgery
A comparison of colorectal cancer in Nigerian and North American patients: Is the cancer biology different?
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2014.03.0362014
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Proudly serving the scientific community for over a century, this 95th edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics is an update of a classic reference, mirroring the growth and direction of science. This venerable work continues to be the most accessed and respected scientific reference in the world. An authoritative resource consisting of
DOI: 10.1201/b171182014 · Choice Reviews Online
Digest of Education Statistics
is the 34th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. (The Digest has been issued annually except for combined editions for the years 1977–78, 1983– 84, and 1985–86.) Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from kindergarten through graduate school. The Digest includes a selection of data from many sources, both government and private, and draws especially on the results of surveys and activities carried out by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The publication contains information on a variety of subjects in the field of education statistics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, federal funds for education, employment and income of graduates, libraries, and international education. Supplemental information on population trends, attitudes on education comparisons, education characteristics of the labor force, government finances, and economic trends provides background for evaluating education data. Although the Digest contains important information on federal education funding, more detailed information on federal activities is available from federal education program offices. For example, the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs supports the National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education, which compiles information on students and teachers involved in bilingual education.
DOI: 10.5860/choice.51-53662014 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics
To test the hypothesis that lecturing maximizes learning and course performance, we metaanalyzed 225 studies that reported data on examination scores or failure rates when comparing student performance in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses under traditional lecturing versus active learning. The effect sizes indicate that on average, student performance on examinations and concept inventories increased by 0.47 SDs under active learning (n = 158 studies), and that the odds ratio for failing was 1.95 under traditional lecturing (n = 67 studies). These results indicate that average examination scores improved by about 6% in active learning sections, and that students in classes with traditional lecturing were 1.5 times more likely to fail than were students in classes with active learning. Heterogeneity analyses indicated that both results hold across the STEM disciplines, that active learning increases scores on concept inventories more than on course examinations, and that active learning appears effective across all class sizes--although the greatest effects are in small (n ≤ 50) classes. Trim and fill analyses and fail-safe n calculations suggest that the results are not due to publication bias. The results also appear robust to variation in the methodological rigor of the included studies, based on the quality of controls over student quality and instructor identity. This is the largest and most comprehensive metaanalysis of undergraduate STEM education published to date. The results raise questions about the continued use of traditional lecturing as a control in research studies, and support active learning as the preferred, empirically validated teaching practice in regular classrooms.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.13190301112014 · PLoS Computational Biology
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics in Nigeria
Over the past few decades, major advances in the field of molecular biology, coupled with advances in genomic technologies, have led to an explosive growth in the biological data generated by the scientific community. The critical need to process and analyze such a deluge of data and turn it into useful knowledge has caused bioinformatics to gain prominence and importance. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary research area that applies techniques, methodologies, and tools in computer and information science to solve biological problems. In Nigeria, bioinformatics has recently played a vital role in the advancement of biological sciences. As a developing country, the importance of bioinformatics is rapidly gaining acceptance, and bioinformatics groups comprised of biologists, computer scientists, and computer engineers are being constituted at Nigerian universities and research institutes. In this article, we present an overview of bioinformatics education and research in Nigeria. We also discuss professional societies and academic and research institutions that play central roles in advancing the discipline in Nigeria. Finally, we propose strategies that can bolster bioinformatics education and support from policy makers in Nigeria, with potential positive implications for other developing countries.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.10035162014 · Journal of Nursing Education and Practice
Relationship between occupational stress, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy among faculty members in faculty of nursing Zagazig University, Egypt
Background/Aim: Different studies, in international context, have linked occupational stress to emotional intelligence or self-efficacy of faculty members. However, investigating the relationship between these three constructs in this context was limited. So, the researchers investigated the relationship between occupational stress, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among faculty members. Method: The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University using a descriptive correlational design. A convenience sample of 91 faculty members working in Faculty of Nursing Zagazig University during the academic year 2011-2012 were recruited for the study. Four tools were used for data collection: Questionnaire about demographic data, Emotional Intelligence Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Occupational Stress Scale. Results: The study findings indicate that the majority of faculty members experience a high level of occupational stress, while they have a low level of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. The occupational stress was negatively related with faculty members’ emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. Conclusion and Recommendation: The findings of current study confirm that occupational stress has negative relationships with the faculty members’ emotional intelligence and self-efficacy. Therefore, we suggest that the Faculty of Nursing should keep the stress level of their faculty members lower and help them to stay healthier by holding training courses on emotional intelligence improving their social skills and increase their efficiency at work. Moreover, the perceived self-efficacy can be improved among the faculty members through training programmes and courses this would help the faculty members enhance their stress bearing capacity and also improve their productivity.
DOI: 10.5430/jnep.v4n4p1832013 · Journal of Physics Conference Series
Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage and protection of abandoned buildings is possible using new technologies in order to create a knowledge base to maintain the original condition of buildings as long as possible. This paper presents the digital geometric survey, combining photogrammetry and photogrammetry with drone for the documentation of a building located in the Riviera Romagnola. The fundamental task to survey historic buildings, in order to document their geometric and morphological features with very high accuracy, becomes an important incentive for the use of innovative hybrid approach. The building case study is the Woodpecker nightclub built in 1966 and abandoned in 1970 due to a fire that devastated the structure.
DOI: 10.1088/issn.1742-65962013 · Acta Tropica
Review: Improving our knowledge of male mosquito biology in relation to genetic control programmes
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.11.0052013 · Nature Protocols
Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system
DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2013.1432013 · International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery
Nursing informatics: A key to improving nursing practice in Nigeria
Nursing informatics is a new nursing specialty in Nigeria; even though it was approved by the American Nurses Association in 1992 as a recognized specialty and has since been growing. The building blocks of this specialty are nursing, information and computer sciences. These three combined provide the knowledge base of nursing informatics. Expanded roles and technology are being incorporated into the domain of nursing informatics. The effects of these roles are visible across all sectors of nursing. This paper explores the field of nursing informatics and presents the relevance to contemporary nursing. Nursing leaders in all areas including research, education and administration and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria have a big role to play in ensuring that nursing informatics is embraced by all nurses in Nigeria. Key words: Nursing informatics, contemporary nursing practice, competencies, Nigeria.
DOI: 10.5897/ijnm2013.01012013 · Nursing Research
Innovative Strategies for Teaching Nursing Research in Taiwan
BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice is imperative in clinical settings because it bridges the gap between research findings and clinical practice. Promoting nursing student interest and enthusiasm for research is therefore crucial when teaching nursing research. OBJECTIVE: The aim of thus study was to develop innovative teaching strategies that increase nursing students' interests and engagement in research. METHODS: This study employed a descriptive, pretest-posttest, quasiexperimental design with 103 participants in the experimental group and 106 in the control group. The Attitudes toward Research Questionnaire, Classroom Engagement Scale, Self-Directed Learning Instrument, Nursing Eight Core Competencies Scale, Value of Teams survey, and a research knowledge test were applied to evaluate the outcomes of the innovative teaching strategies. RESULTS: Scores for the research knowledge test were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group in posttest 1 and posttest 2. After the intervention, participants in the experimental group exhibited higher scores on attitudes toward research, eight core competencies in nursing,value of teams, classroom engagement, and self-directed learning than participants in the control group. Students in the experimental group perceived a lower degree of pressure and higher degrees of interest, enjoyment, and acceptance of the research course than students in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that using innovative teaching strategies in nursing research courses enhances student interest and enthusiasm about evidence-based practice.
DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0b013e31829fd8272013 · Science
The Chemistry and Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks
Background Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are made by linking inorganic and organic units by strong bonds (reticular synthesis). The flexibility with which the constituents’ geometry, size, and functionality can be varied has led to more than 20,000 different MOFs being reported and studied within the past decade. The organic units are ditopic or polytopic organic carboxylates (and other similar negatively charged molecules), which, when linked to metal-containing units, yield architecturally robust crystalline MOF structures with a typical porosity of greater than 50% of the MOF crystal volume. The surface area values of such MOFs typically range from 1000 to 10,000 m 2 /g, thus exceeding those of traditional porous materials such as zeolites and carbons. To date, MOFs with permanent porosity are more extensive in their variety and multiplicity than any other class of porous materials. These aspects have made MOFs ideal candidates for storage of fuels (hydrogen and methane), capture of carbon dioxide, and catalysis applications, to mention a few. Advances The ability to vary the size and nature of MOF structures without changing their underlying topology gave rise to the isoreticular principle and its application in making MOFs with the largest pore aperture (98 Å) and lowest density (0.13 g/cm 3 ). This has allowed for the selective inclusion of large molecules (e.g., vitamin B 12 ) and proteins (e.g., green fluorescent protein) and the exploitation of the pores as reaction vessels. Along these lines, the thermal and chemical stability of many MOFs has made them amenable to postsynthetic covalent organic and metal-complex functionalization. These capabilities enable substantial enhancement of gas storage in MOFs and have led to their extensive study in the catalysis of organic reactions, activation of small molecules (hydrogen, methane, and water), gas separation, biomedical imaging, and proton, electron, and ion conduction. At present, methods are being developed for making nanocrystals and supercrystals of MOFs for their incorporation into devices. Outlook The precise control over the assembly of MOFs is expected to propel this field further into new realms of synthetic chemistry in which far more sophisticated materials may be accessed. For example, materials can be envisaged as having (i) compartments linked together to operate separately, yet function synergistically; (ii) dexterity to carry out parallel operations; (iii) ability to count, sort, and code information; and (iv) capability of dynamics with high fidelity. Efforts in this direction are already being undertaken through the introduction of a large number of different functional groups within the pores of MOFs. This yields multivariate frameworks in which the varying arrangement of functionalities gives rise to materials that offer a synergistic combination of properties. Future work will involve the assembly of chemical structures from many different types of building unit, such that the structures’ function is dictated by the heterogeneity of the specific arrangement of their constituents.
DOI: 10.1126/science.12304442013 · African Research Review
Influence of Family Background on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Biology Students in Anambra State
The study sought to find out how family background of students in Anambra State, Nigeria influences their academic achievement in senior secondary school Biology. A survey design was adopted for the study. Five hundred and forty-six (546) Senior Secondary Two (SS2) biology students were drawn by simple random sampling from 14 schools within Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha Education Zones, in Anambra State. Three research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. Data were collected using a researcher constructed questionnaire and students‟ SS1 and SS2 school results. The results revealed that family structure, parents‟ occupation and educational level of parents, did not have significant influence on students‟ achievement in biology. Based on the findings, the paper concludes that family background did not have much influence on students‟ achievement in science (biology) as against what most previous studies portrayed. Researches should therefore focus on other possible factors that contribute to students‟ poor performance in Biology and science generally in order to find lasting solution to the problem. Some recommendations were also made.Keywords: Biology, polygamous, monogamous, occupation, educational level, academic achievement.
DOI: 10.4314/afrrev.v7i3.122013 · Journal of Nursing Education and Practice
Nurses’ attitude towards the care of the elderly: Implications for gerontological nursing training
Background: Nurses are in contact with the elderly at different levels of care. However, observations show that relational gaps exist resulting in negative elderly patients’ outcomes. This study aimed at exploring the attitude of nurses towards the care of the elderly in two selected hospitals (University College Hospital and Ring Road State hospital) in Ibadan, Oyo state. Methods: The study was a descriptive survey. Questionnaire was administered to randomly selected and consented 130 nurses in the two selected hospitals and was retrieved immediately after being completed. The questionnaires had five sections. Section A covered socio-demographic data. Section B, C and D consisted of questions which explored respondents’ attitude towards the care of elderly; staffing ratio and care of the elderly; factors influencing care of the elderly and Section E questions were on knowledge of aging process. The completed questionnaire was coded and analyzed using frequencies and percentages Result: This study shows that 73.0% of the respondents agreed that elderly are difficult to care for. Over 80% agreed that effective care of the elderly requires special training. Also, more than 90% believed hospitals should have special wards (geriatric ward) for effective care of the elderly. Respondents showed positive attitude towards the care of the elderly and good knowledge of aging process. Conclusion: Effective care of the elderly requires special training, provision of geriatric ward, adequate staffing to reduce stress and improve quality care. There is need for continuing education on quality care to improve nursing practice in the care of the elderly.
DOI: 10.5430/jnep.v3n7p1502013 · International Journal of Nursing Knowledge
Impact of an Educational Program on the Use of Standardized Nursing Languages for Nursing Documentation Among Public Health Nurses in Nigeria
PURPOSE: To measure the effect of an educational package on documentation of care among public health nurses (PHNs). METHOD: A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Forty PHNs working in primary healthcare settings were selected. Education was given through a 5-day workshop. Documentation of care was assessed using a modified "Muller-Staub Q-DIO instrument." Data were analyzed using t test third and twelfth months postintervention. FINDINGS: There was a significant improvement on documentation of care at p = .0001. CONCLUSION: Educating PHNs and providing them with standardized nursing care plans enhance documentation of care. IMPLICATION TO PRACTICE: A combination of education on the use of standardized nursing languages and standardized nursing care plans can enhance documentation of care. There is a need for more research on the use of standardized nursing languages in developing nations.
DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-3095.2013.01239.x2013
Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes
The updated fourth edition of the "bible" of solar energy theory and applications Over several editions, Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes has become a classic solar engineering text and reference. This revised Fourth Edition offers current coverage of solar energy theory, systems design, and applications in different market sectors along with an emphasis on solar system design and analysis using simulations to help readers translate theory into practice. An important resource for students of solar engineering, solar energy, and alternative energy as well
DOI: 10.1002/9781118671603