Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Los Angeles, 2009. / Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 345-360).

The following research has explored children's experiences when living with a parent who is dying. The findings provide substantial evidence that these children frequently experience a conspiracy of silence which is orchestrated and managed by the adults in their lives. The findings have evidenced that children are not typically included in information exchanges about their parents' illnesses. This creates feelings of powerlessness and a barrier to `making meaning' of their current experiences. Exclusion from appropriate and meaningful discourses results in them being unable to develop narratives that are consistent with the peripheral information they are receiving, and which cause them to question their identity and the construct of their family. However, the research has also shown that when children are included in conversations about their parents' illnesses, they generally have a more sophisticated understanding of what is happening and are cognitively and emotionally better able to cope. The quality and quantity of information that is shared with children of terminally ill parents affects their ability to assimilate what is happening which in turn impacts on their management of, or in many examples, their failure to manage the situation. This thesis explores strategies employed by children in their attempt to begin to make meaning from what is happening and to manage the situation. The research highlights that these children experience a number of transitions, changes and challenges. Changes in family routines and the shift from the known patterns of family life to a chaotic and unsafe world often present these children with unprecedented challenges that can severely affect how they manage the experience and how they begin to make meaning from what is happening. Within the thesis I argue that children experience a form of `social death' where previously known social activities and contacts are curtailed because of parents' illnesses. The concept of `social death' reflects their increasing isolation from a `normal' social world which intensifies feelings of difference and causes further questions about identityThe thesis builds on the work of Walter (1996) suggesting that not only is there a `last chapter' to be written following the death, but that children with terminally ill parents are also critically involved in writing a `penultimate chapter' during the latter phases of their parents' illnesses. This `chapter' forms the narratives that accompany this challenging and rapidly changing time in the children's lives. The `writing' of the chapter provides, in part, a framework for the children to construct their biography and consequently develop an understanding of what is happening. However, when they are not included in conversations about the illness the `writing' of the chapter can be severely compromised thus causing them to write an inaccurate account and create incongruent narratives

RNA interference, or RNAi, is a cellular mechanism that describes the sequence-specific post transcriptional gene silencing observed in plants, fungi, and metazoans, facilitated by short double-stranded RNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) with sequence complementarity to target mRNAs. Many of the regulatory mechanisms of the RNAi pathway by which these small miRNAs are first processed, from primary transcripts to precursor miRNA stemloops and then to mature miRNAs, by the multiprotein complexes Drosha and Dicer, respectively, still remain unknown. Within the miRNA biogenesis pathway, there is strong evidence pointing to the terminal loop region as an important regulatory determinant of miRNA maturation. To further elucidate the terminal loop's exerted control over miRNA processing, we propose a combined in vitro / in vivo selection experiment of a randomized pri-miRNA terminal loop library in search of an optimally processed pre-miRNA substrate. Here, we report the isolation of a premiRNA terminal loop sequence that is favorably processed by Drosha in vivo but also functions as an effective cis-inhibitor of further pre-miRNA processing by downstream Dicer. This terminal loop also demonstrated modular properties of Dicer inhibition in two different miRNAs, and should prove useful in further elucidating the mechanisms of miRNA processing in context of a newly proposed Dicer cleavage model (Gu et al. 2012). In combination, these findings may have important implications in both Drosha and Dicer's direct role in gene expression and miRNA biogenesis, the regulatory proteins that modulate their respective functions, as well as the potential development of new design rules for the more efficient processing and targeting of miRNA-based technology and RNAi therapeutics. / text

The mitochondrial tyrosyl tRNA synthetases (mtTyrRS) from certain fungii are found to be bifunctional enzymes that aid in group I intron splicing in addition to charging tRNA[superscript Tyr]. This splicing activity is conferred by several insertions that are unique to these mtTyrRS. Initial biochemical evidence suggested the similar tertiary structures of the tRNA and the intron enable binding of the protein to both. However, a recently solved co-crystal structure showed that the tRNA and intron were bound on opposite faces of the protein. The intron was bound almost exclusively by a novel surface formed by several insertions in the protein. This work presents the structure of the C-terminal domain of the A. nidulans mtTyrRS (PDB ID -- 2ktl). NMR results show that the C-terminal domain contains an S4 fold with a mixed [beta]-sheet and two anti-parallel [alpha]-helices that pack against these strands. The strands [beta]1 and [beta]5 are parallel, and [beta]2 to [beta]5 are arranged anti-parallel to each other. The C-terminal domain from A. nidulans mtTyrRS has three insertions in its sequence that make it almost twice the size of bacterial TyrRS. NMR results show that insertion 3 at the N-terminus of the domain is flexible. Insertion 4 is contained in the loop connecting [beta]2-[beta]3 and does not have a well defined structure. Insertion 5 and the C-terminal extension form two helices, [alpha]5 and [alpha]6 that fold away from the core of the protein. An extended helix ([alpha]4) between strands [beta]3 and [beta]4 was identified by NMR. Based on structural alignments with bacterial TyrRS, this helix was classified as a novel insertion 4b in the C-terminal domain. Conserved positively charged residues used to bind the tRNA are found in the turn between the anti-parallel [alpha]-helices and the turn connecting strands [beta]4-[beta]5. Based on a comparison with other TyrRS structures, the three insertions are positioned away from the tRNA binding site. The insertions form a novel RNA binding surface that could interact with the intron. Since these insertions are found in loop and termini regions, they could be a structural adaptation acquired by these splicing mtTyrRS. NMR spectra of the full length TyrRS from B. stearothermophilus and mtTyrRS from A. nidulans indicate that the motion of the C-terminal domain is coupled to that of the full length protein. This provides new information regarding the organization of the full length TyrRS. / text

In South Africa, with the highest HIV population in the world, more than 5 million people live with HIV and AIDS, and it is predicted that deaths because of AlDS will rise sharply up to 2010 (Evian, 2003:20; UNAIDS, 2003:19). Because of this, great numbers of patients in the final stages of AlDS need support and homecare in areas with little resources. In this context of limited resources it became necessary for communities and health care services to investigate alternatives for cost-effective and sustainable methods to care for patients with AIDS. Patients are often discharged home to die because the hospital staff can do nothing but palliative care and they feel that resources and space can be better utilised on patients with a greater chance of recovery (Jackson, 2002:232). The government and non-governmental organisations established a number of homecare services to care for patients with AlDS at home. The Potchefstroom-district is no exception; the question however arises whether the care needs of these patients are addressed. The objective of this research was to identify the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients with AlDS for home care and the perceptions of caregivers of what these needs are. The ultimate objective was to formulate recommendations from the results for need-centred homecare for patients with AlDS in the Potchefstroom-district. A two-phased design was used to reach this objective. These two phases took place simultaneously. During phase one, caregivers operated as fieldworkers and completed questionnaires on behalf of the patients on their needs for homecare. During phase two the perceptions of caregivers of patients with AIDS's needs for homecare were determined using the nominal group technique. The director of health of the local authority gave consent for this research. The population of phase one consisted of available patients with AlDS in the Potchefstroom-district of the Northwest Province that compiled to the prerequisites of the research. The population of phase two consisted of a group of caregivers from another area that did not take part in phase one. After they gave consent a total of 24 patients with AlDS and 31 caregivers took part in the research. Data analysis in the case of the questionnaires was done by frequency distribution and for the nominal groups during the group sessions. On the grounds of the results the conclusion was made that patients with AlDS experience a great deal of hopelessness and that their needs are mostly on the first level of basic needs, according to the Maslow needs hierarchy. Higher levels of needs like self-concept needs and self-actualisation came to the attention in the need for spiritual support especially from their own church community. Social and financial needs were also identified. The caregivers stressed the need for equipment when caring for these patients, as there is nothing available for basic homecare. Caregivers identified needs that were not mentioned by the patients and vice versa. For patients an important need was pain relieve which the caregivers did not mention. It appears from this research that the need for the involvement of the multidisciplinary team is not being addressed. Based on the results of this research guidelines were formulated for registered nurses, that train and supervise the caregivers, to ensure that these patients receive the comprehensive care they deserve. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The ferry terminal in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada is located in an important public place for the city of Halifax. This area has been subject to planning decisions that have led to its current state of reduced functionality. This project is intended to activate and restore this central, damaged urban public site through integration with the existing buildings, reconnection of the city to the waterfront, and increased amenity offered by new design and architecture. Rethinking the design of the ferry terminal and its adjacent public spaces aims to create a model for future development along the currently undeveloped Halifax waterfront.

No description available.

This qualitative inquiry explores Chinese Canadians' experience of the death and dying of a family member in a Canadian cultural context. The participants of this study consisted of eight bereaved Chinese immigrants and four Chinese professionals whose work is closely related to the field of death and dying. Following a phenomenological research methodology, data was collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation. The narratives of the study participants were then analyzed. The results of the study identify the participants' four coping characteristics and also highlight their coping strategies and the rationale behind them. Analysis of the data leads to insights into the need for educational support to provide culturally sensitive care for dying Chinese patients and their families.

In South Africa, with the highest HIV population in the world, more than 5 million people live with HIV and AIDS, and it is predicted that deaths because of AlDS will rise sharply up to 2010 (Evian, 2003:20; UNAIDS, 2003:19). Because of this, great numbers of patients in the final stages of AlDS need support and homecare in areas with little resources. In this context of limited resources it became necessary for communities and health care services to investigate alternatives for cost-effective and sustainable methods to care for patients with AIDS. Patients are often discharged home to die because the hospital staff can do nothing but palliative care and they feel that resources and space can be better utilised on patients with a greater chance of recovery (Jackson, 2002:232). The government and non-governmental organisations established a number of homecare services to care for patients with AlDS at home. The Potchefstroom-district is no exception; the question however arises whether the care needs of these patients are addressed. The objective of this research was to identify the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients with AlDS for home care and the perceptions of caregivers of what these needs are. The ultimate objective was to formulate recommendations from the results for need-centred homecare for patients with AlDS in the Potchefstroom-district. A two-phased design was used to reach this objective. These two phases took place simultaneously. During phase one, caregivers operated as fieldworkers and completed questionnaires on behalf of the patients on their needs for homecare. During phase two the perceptions of caregivers of patients with AIDS's needs for homecare were determined using the nominal group technique. The director of health of the local authority gave consent for this research. The population of phase one consisted of available patients with AlDS in the Potchefstroom-district of the Northwest Province that compiled to the prerequisites of the research. The population of phase two consisted of a group of caregivers from another area that did not take part in phase one. After they gave consent a total of 24 patients with AlDS and 31 caregivers took part in the research. Data analysis in the case of the questionnaires was done by frequency distribution and for the nominal groups during the group sessions. On the grounds of the results the conclusion was made that patients with AlDS experience a great deal of hopelessness and that their needs are mostly on the first level of basic needs, according to the Maslow needs hierarchy. Higher levels of needs like self-concept needs and self-actualisation came to the attention in the need for spiritual support especially from their own church community. Social and financial needs were also identified. The caregivers stressed the need for equipment when caring for these patients, as there is nothing available for basic homecare. Caregivers identified needs that were not mentioned by the patients and vice versa. For patients an important need was pain relieve which the caregivers did not mention. It appears from this research that the need for the involvement of the multidisciplinary team is not being addressed. Based on the results of this research guidelines were formulated for registered nurses, that train and supervise the caregivers, to ensure that these patients receive the comprehensive care they deserve. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

La presente investigación cualitativa descriptiva tuvo como objetivos: Describir y comprender la corporalidad en el cuidado de enfermería a la persona hospitalizada con cáncer en fase terminal y su familiar acompañante, en el servicio de oncología del Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo, 2012. La base teórica - conceptual se fundamentó en Waldow (2008) y Watson (2012), De Souza (1997); Ancízar (2006); Nieto (2004); y Quero (2007). La muestra fue no probabilística, determinada por saturación y redundancia siendo los informantes seis enfermeras que laboran en el servicio de Oncología, seis personas adultas con cáncer en fase terminal y seis familiares acompañantes de las personas hospitalizadas con cáncer en fase terminal. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizó la entrevista semiestructura. Se usó el análisis de contenido. Durante la investigación se tuvo en cuenta los criterios científicos y los principios de la bioética personalista. Se obtuvieron dos categorías: 1) El lenguaje corporal en el cuidado a la persona hospitalizada con cáncer en fase terminal y su familiar acompañante. 2) La complementariedad enfermera / familiar acompañante para el cuidado corporal a la persona hospitalizada con cáncer en fase terminal. La consideración final es que en el ejercicio de cuidar, es fundamental desarrollar la corporalidad, esta es importante para brindar un cuidado humanizado en enfermería, basando los cuidados en la dignidad, respeto, equidad, calidad y calidez humana; esto hace que el cuidado de enfermería sea humano y sensible, capaz de transmitir y recibir amor, comprendiendo que las personas son seres susceptibles a nuestros gestos, miradas y palabras, ese lenguaje verbal y no verbal que es capaz de transformar los estados de ánimo.