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This study examines the possible benefits of using mobile phones to increase interaction and promote active learning in large classroom settings. First year undergraduate students studying Cellular Processes at the University of East London took part in a trial of a new text-based classroom interaction system and evaluated their experience by anonymous questionnaire. Learning gains were measured using pre- and post-tests and interaction with the lecturer was monitored in both Text and non-Text enabled lectures. Learning gains and classroom interactions were not increased by the introduction of the text-messaging system in this instance. However, the system was generally well received, with 71% of students reporting that they would like to see it used again. Those students in particular who were found to be more likely to fear initiating classroom interaction reported most satisfaction with the introduction of the in-class text system suggesting this mode of communication may enhance inclusivity and empower students to interact who normally would not. (Contains 5 figures.)

This study examines students' reactions to the virtual biosciences laboratory developed in Second Life[R] (SL) at the University of East London. Final year undergraduates and masters students studying biotechnology took part in a trial of a virtual Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiment in Second Life and evaluated their experience by anonymous questionnaire. Learning gains were measured at various points during the study using pre- and post-tests, and interaction with demonstrators was monitored and compared during the real life (RL) practical. Both groups showed a significant increase in learning gain over the pre- and post-tests, although no difference in gains between the two groups was detected. However, students who conducted the PCR experiment in SL required significantly less demonstrator assistance during the subsequent RL practical. The SL practical was well received by students, with 92% of participants reporting that they would like to use the system again and many requesting other experiments to be made available in this manner in the future. (Contains 4 figures and 1 table.)

Aim: This study explored the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who worked clinically during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Irish healthcare settings. Design: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed. Methods: Online focus group interviews were used to collect data from general nursing students (N = 47) between February and April 2021. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Descriptive thematic analysis of the data revealed five themes; changes in care delivery, changes in communication and relationships with the patient, an emotionally charged work atmosphere, coping strategies during the pandemic and student learning specific to COVID‐19. Challenges such as an increased workload, fear of contracting the virus and taking on novel and additional roles were revealed. Students remained undeterred, and despite the many challenges faced, they largely viewed their experiences as a source of personal and professional growth, and benefitted from the learning opportunities afforded to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disorders in lipoprotein metabolism are critical in the etiology of several disease states such as coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. Thus, there is considerable interest in the development of novel methods for the analysis of lipoprotein complexes. We report here a simple chromatographic method for the separation of high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein from intact serum or plasma. The separation was achieved using a hydroxyapatite column and elution with pH 7.4 phosphate buffer with 100-[micro]L injections of whole plasma. Coelution of HDL with plasma proteins such as albumin occurred, and this clearly limits quantitation of that species by HPLC peak integration. We also show, for the first time, the application of directly coupled HPLC [sup.1]H NMR spectroscopy to confirm the identification of the three major lipoproteins. The full chromatographic run time was 90 min with stopped-flow 600-MHz NMR spectra of each lipoprotein being collected using 128 scans, in 7 min. The [sup.1]H NMR chemical shifts of lipid signals were identical to conventional NMR spectra of freshly prepared lipoprotein standards, confirming that the lipoproteins were not degraded by the HPLC separation and that their gross supramolecular organization was intact.

When exposed to ethanol, Drosophila melanogaster display a variety of addiction-like behaviours similar to those observed in mammals. Sensitivity to ethanol can be quantified by measuring the time at which 50% of the flies are sedated by ethanol exposure (ST50); an increase of ST50 following multiple ethanol exposures is widely interpreted as development of tolerance to ethanol. Sensitivity and tolerance to ethanol were measured after administration of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor B (GABAB ) agonist (SKF 97541) and antagonist (CGP 54626), when compared with flies treated with ethanol alone. Dose-dependent increases and decreases in sensitivity to ethanol were observed for both the agonist and antagonist respectively. Tolerance was recorded in the presence of GABAB drugs, but the rate of tolerance development was increased by SKF 97451 and unaltered in presence of CGP 54626. This indicates that the GABAB receptor contributes to both the sensitivity to ethanol and mechanisms by which tolerance develops. The data also reinforce the usefulness of Drosophila as a model for identifying the molecular components of addictive behaviours and for testing drugs that could potentially be used for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]