Memorial University of Newfoundland

About: Memorial University of Newfoundland is a education organization based out in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 13818 authors who have published 27785 publications receiving 743594 citations. The organization is also known as: Memorial University & Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Scholarship in teaching: an imperative for the 21st century

Abstract: At some medical schools broader definitions of scholarship have emerged along with corresponding changes in their academic reward systems. Such situations are not common, however. The definition of scholarship generally applied by medical schools is unnecessarily narrow and excludes areas of legitimate academic activity and productivity that are vital to the fulfillment of the school's educational mission. The authors maintain that creative teaching with effectiveness that is rigorously substantiated, educational leadership with results that are demonstrable and broadly felt, and educational methods that advance learners' knowledge are consistent with the traditional definition of scholarship. Faculty whose educational activities fulfill the criteria above are scholars and must be recognized by promotion. The authors specifically address scholarship in education, focusing on teaching and other learning-related activities rather than on educational research, which may be assessed and rewarded using the same forms of evidence as basic science or clinical research. They build on Boyer's work, which provides a vocabulary for discussing the assumptions and values that underlie the roles of faculty as academicians. Next, they apply Glassick et al.'s criteria for judging scholarly work to faculty members' educational activities to establish a basis for recognition and reward consistent with those given for other forms of scholarship. Finally, the authors outline the organizational infrastructure needed to support scholars in education.

Functional Evidence that BDNF Is an Anterograde Neuronal Trophic Factor in the CNS

Abstract: In this report, we have tested the hypothesis that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an anterograde neurotrophic factor in the CNS and have focused on central noradrenergic neurons that synthesize BDNF. Double-label immunocytochemistry for BDNF and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), a marker for noradrenergic neurons, demonstrated that BDNF is partially localized to noradrenergic nerve fibers and terminals in the adult rat brain. To test the functional importance of this anterograde BDNF, we analyzed transgenic mice carrying a DBH-BDNF minigene. Increased synthesis of BDNF in noradrenergic neurons of DBH-BDNF mice caused elevated TrkB tyrosine kinase activation throughout postnatal life in the neocortex, a noradrenergic target region. This afferently regulated increase in TrkB receptor activity led to long-lasting alterations in cortical morphology. To determine whether noradrenergic neuron-expressed BDNF also anterogradely regulated neuronal survival, we examined a second noradrenergic target, neonatal facial motoneurons. One week after axotomy, 72% of facial motoneurons were lost in control animals, whereas only 30-35% were lost in DBH-BDNF transgenic mice. Altogether, these results indicate that BDNF is anterogradely transported to fibers and terminals of noradrenergic neurons, that anterogradely secreted BDNF causes activation of TrkB in target regions, and that this secretion has functional consequences for target neuron survival and differentiation. This presynaptic secretion of BDNF may provide a cellular mechanism for modulating neural circuitry, in either the developing or mature nervous system.

Bird odors and other chemical substances: a defense mechanism or overlooked mode of intraspecific communication?

Abstract: Bi ds e i an chemical compounds, though ornithologists rarely consider them. Avian odors, for example, are readily detectable to humans in at least 17 avian orders and 80 genera (Table 1; data from Weldon and Rappole 1997). Scents consist of volatile chemicals, and birds embrace a remarkable diversity of aromas, such as the musky plumage of storm-petrels (Hydrobatidae; Jacob and Zisweiler 1982); the tangerine-like perfume of Crested Auklets (Aethia cristatella; Humphrey and Phillips 1958); the acrid, sour odor of Hooded Pitohuis (Pitohui dichrous) and Variable Pitohuis (P. kirkocephalus; Dumbacher et al. 1992); the sweet and dusty fragrance of the Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus; Butler 1989, J. C. Hagelin pers. obs.); and the foul stench of the Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoatzin; see Weldon and Rappole 1997). Birds also produce a variety of substances consisting of larger, less volatile compounds. Frequently odorless, these occur in various forms, such as saturated fatt y acids of uropygial gland secretions (Jacob and Zisweiler 1982, Sweeney et al. 2004) or toxins sequestered in plumage or skin (e.g., Dumbacher et al. 1992). Human detection of an avian compound clearly does not mean that it is important to a bird, unless this has been verifi ed experimentally. Here, we focus on two major types of adaptive functions that have been proposed for a variety of odors and other chemical substances that birds either produce themselves or sequester from secondary sources. First, avian compounds may serve as a chemical defense. This includes protection against predators, ectoparasites, and microbes and can involve substances that act as an interspecifi c deterrent or signal (e.g., Cott 1947, Swennen 1968, Dumbacher et al. 1992, Mouritsen and Madsen 1994, Douglas et al. 2001, Shawkey et al. 2003). Alternatively, some authors posit that avian compounds function as an intraspecifi c chemosignal, similar to those found in other vertebrates, such as mammals (e.g., Balthazart and Schoff eniels 1979; review in Roper 1999, Hagelin 2007). Recently, birds have been shown to recognize conspecifi c body odor (Hagelin et al. 2003) and personal body odor or mate odor (Bonadonna and Nevitt 2004). Some chemical signatures are even individually specifi c (e.g., Bonadonna et al. 2003a, b, 2004, 2007). The use of chemical signals in intraspecifi c communication has the potential to fundamentally alter how we interpret bird behavior. The idea is relatively new and challenges the traditional view that birds predominantly respond to their world through sight and sound. Birds readily respond to chemicals derived 1Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081, USA; and 2Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada Julie C. Hagelin1,3 and Ian L. Jones2 BIRD ODORS AND OTHER CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES: A DEFENSE MECHANISM OR OVERLOOKED MODE OF INTRASPECIFIC COMMUNICATION? The Auk 124(3):741–761, 2007 © The American Ornithologists’ Union, 2007. Printed in USA.

Recreational sea fishing in Europe in a global context-Participation rates, fishing effort, expenditure, and implications for monitoring and assessment

Abstract: Marine recreational fishing (MRF) is a high-participation activity with large economic value and social benefits globally, and it impacts on some fish stocks. Although reporting MRF catches is a European Union legislative requirement, estimates are only available for some countries. Here, data on numbers of fishers, participation rates, days fished, expenditures, and catches of two widely targeted species were synthesized to provide European estimates of MRF and placed in the global context. Uncertainty assessment was not possible due to incomplete knowledge of error distributions; instead, a semi-quantitative bias assessment was made. There were an estimated 8.7 million European recreational sea fishers corresponding to a participation rate of 1.6%. An estimated 77.6 million days were fished, and expenditure was €5.9 billion annually. There were higher participation, numbers of fishers, days fished and expenditure in the Atlantic than the Mediterranean, but the Mediterranean estimates were generally less robust. Comparisons with other regions showed that European MRF participation rates and expenditure were in the mid-range, with higher participation in Oceania and the United States, higher expenditure in the United States, and lower participation and expenditure in South America and Africa. For both northern European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, Moronidae) and western Baltic cod (Gadus morhua, Gadidae) stocks, MRF represented 27% of the total removals. This study highlights the importance of MRF and the need for bespoke, regular and statistically sound data collection to underpin European fisheries management. Solutions are proposed for future MRF data collection in Europe and other regions to support sustainable fisheries management.

Attitudes of health sciences faculty members towards interprofessional teamwork and education.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES Faculty attitudes are believed to be a barrier to successful implementation of interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives within academic health sciences settings. The purpose of this study was to examine specific attributes of faculty members, which might relate to attitudes towards IPE and interprofessional teamwork. METHODS A survey was distributed to all faculty members in the medicine, nursing, pharmacy and social work programmes at our institution. Respondents were asked to rate their attitudes towards interprofessional health care teams, IPE and interprofessional learning in an academic setting using scales adopted from the peer-reviewed literature. Information on the characteristics of the respondents was also collected, including data on gender, prior experience with IPE, age and years of practice experience. RESULTS A total response rate of 63.0% was achieved. Medicine faculty members reported significantly lower mean scores (P < 0.05) than nursing faculty on attitudes towards IPE, interprofessional teams and interprofessional learning in the academic setting. Female faculty and faculty who reported prior experience in IPE reported significantly higher mean scores (P < 0.05). Neither age, years of practice experience nor experience as a health professional educator appeared to be related to overall attitudinal responses towards IPE or interprofessional teamwork. CONCLUSIONS The findings have implications for both the advancement of IPE within academic institutions and strategies to promote faculty development initiatives. In terms of IPE evaluation, the findings also highlight the importance of measuring baseline attitudinal constructs as part of systematic evaluative activities when introducing new IPE initiatives within academic settings.