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Wednesday 20 December 2017

Book Reviews by Library PTS (Part Time Student Librarian)

Selected books (e-books and printed) that were reviewed by Library PTS (Part Time Student Librarian).

 https://ebookcentral.proquest.com.ezp.imu.edu.my/lib/imu-ebooks/detail.action?docID=424095
Review by Bernadette Tune Xin Jie
 Click the book cover to access the e-book

1.   What I like about the book?
Bioinformatics: A Primer is an extensive book on the topics of bioinformatics. The book covers a wide variety of bioinformatic related topics, including topics of molecular biology and molecular biochemistry. The book describes them in detail with relevant examples. At the end of each chapter, a set of questions are available for reviewing or self-test. Citations are also provided at the end of the chapters. As an e-book, this book is fully available for online reading, with a limit of printable and downloadable pages. Graphical examples and representations help in explanation or for visual references. Many of the topics, especially relating to biochemistry of nucleic acids and molecules benefit greatly from this feature, otherwise flowcharts and charts help in understanding processes better. This book is greatly useful for revision and self-study.

2.   Brief content of the book.
Basic contents of the book include introductory topics regarding bioinformatics, molecular biology and basic molecular biochemistry. The book also includes various chapters regarding advanced or intermediary topics and discussions regarding biochemistry and molecular biology, slightly touching topics regarding biophysics. But most importantly, more than half of the book discusses topics regarding nucleic acid sequencing and its analyses, and its application on medico- and pharmacoinformatics, others include steps and methods bioinformatics, such as computation, structure prediction, database searching, data mining, analysis and modelling. Protein chemistry, folding and complications relating to it are also included in this detailed and extensive book.

3.   Does it suit you or any other programs and why?

The book is very useful for programmes taking Bioinformatics as a module, these include Medical Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. As an added bonus, the Medical Biotechnology students can benefit from the biochemistry and molecular biology topics, which are discussed at a considerable extent in this book. Other programmes may use this book as reference or as a study guide for molecular or genetic biology modules or anything similar. In conclusion, this book, although made for bioinformatics, finds itself useful in many other fields of science and biology.

4.   Would you recommend this book to your colleagues and why?
I highly recommend my colleagues to read this book, or to at least have a look at it. Certain parts or topics in the book may be too advanced or irrelevant to the module syllabus. However, it is still a very interesting read to further understand bioinformatics and the concepts and processes behind it. Students can also utilise the exercise modules at the end of the chapters as a means of revision for class tests or end of semester exams. Citations provided in the book can also help in further reading, or as references for essays and reports.


 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezp.imu.edu.my/book/10.1002/9781444398236?campaign=IMUmalaysia
Review by Bong Jing Xian
 Click the book cover to access the e-book

1.   What I like about the book?
The most enticing part of the book for me would be vast and comprehensive amount of details contained inside it. There is a chapter regarding the organisation of the medical services provided in an emergency. I like how the book makes the roles so easily understandable in flowcharts and key points. The points are then nicely followed by detailed texts that explained more about each roles of the organisation such as Ambulance commander and primary triage officer. It also covers a wide area of possibilities during major incidents and the appropriate management.

2.   Brief content of the book.
There’s 23 chapters in total in the book, covered in six parts. The first two parts covers the general overview of the organization and roles of emergency services and also the support service. It is then followed by the preparation for any major incidents which is broken down to four chapters; planning, personal equipment, medical equipment and training. Part four is about the management of before and after reaching the incident.  The various medical supports provided at the site are detailed in part five. Lastly part six covers the type of special incidents that might occur in emergency medicine such as natural disasters and incidents involving large numbers of children or casualties.

3.   Does it suit you or any other programs and why?
I personally feel that it is quite suitable for any health care courses that had a chance to work in a hospital setting. For my own course, it would be beneficial to have a look at such book, especially for those in the clinical years. The book is more suitable for students with hands-on and practical opportunities in a hospital. There are more clinical skills and knowledge in the book compared to normal medical textbooks we use in the pre-clinical phase in MBBS.

4.   Would you recommend this book to your colleagues and why?

This would probably be a good book to use as reference after Semester 5. It is easily understandable and contains detailed information on emergency medicine, especially the various procedures to be carried out in a major incident and also the various roles of each healthcare teams


https://www.clinicalkey.com.ezp.imu.edu.my/#!/browse/book/3-s2.0-C20100685373
 Review by Fathin Nadhirah
 Click the book cover to access the e-book

1.   What I like about the book
I like this e-book because the content is brief, yet understandable and I found it easy to apprehend the renal system. Most of the subtopics are quite similar to the lecture notes that are given by lecturers, which make it easy for me to further understand the concept that I learned during the class. I also like this book because, on the left side, there will be some key points that help to navigate me on which topic that I am reading and I wish to read. Besides, I can view all the contents of the book in only one page and if I wish to read a particular topic, I just need to click on the topic.

2.   Brief content of the book
This book has about 10 main topics which are more or less similar to the pharmacy course lecture notes. It also has a few diagrams that assist me to imagine the process of renal system. Besides, there are also integrative case studies provided in this book and the answers are also given. Not only that, there are also a few questions for a self-study with well-explained answers and interestingly it also provides a review examination section.

3.    Does it suit you or any programs and why?
Yes, it does suit to my course which is Bachelor of Pharmacy especially during semester 3 since renal system is one of the modules in this semester. Since this module has a lot of PBL and workshops, so I found this book as a perfect reference to grab the concept and familiarize with the case studies. I think this book is also suitable for students who learn about renal system especially medicine students since the concept and theory is same. 

4.   Would you recommend this book to your colleagues and why?

Yes, I will recommend this book to my colleagues because it is easy to understand, plus this book is available at all time via online. It is also fast to access all the contents which are a very useful reference to students when they do not have much time to find references for PBL and also workshops. Besides, this book further explains some of the concept from the lectures which are not stated in the lecture notes.


https://ebookcentral.proquest.com.ezp.imu.edu.my/lib/imu-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3420637
  Review by Chua Hoe Wei
 Click the book cover to access the e-book

1.   What I like about the book?
I like this book because it is written in an easy-to-understand way and it covers a topic that can seem hugely daunting at first to many first time proposal writers, mainly due to the lack or guidance and knowledge on the proper steps and requirements. Some courses are required to conduct research in the course of their degree and proposals will be written by the students themselves. So, I feel that this book is a much needed guide for those who, are or will be, writing a research proposal in the immediate future. The book also puts things into perspective by  giving straightforward examples and using concise explanations to guide the reader on the right path to success.

2.   Brief content of the book.
This e-book contains key information on achieving successful research proposal writing and its development which is conveyed in a straightforward way, with examples for better understanding and a firm grasp of the message that the authors are trying to get across to the reader. Step by step advice is given on each component of writing a research proposal, from start to finish. From organising a research proposal, developing your framework and choosing an appropriate title to crown a research, to reviewing and reworking your proposal, funding, teamwork and even ethics. This e-book is comprehensive and covers a wide scope of topics essential to writing a research proposal that will lead to success.

3.   Does it suit you or any other programs and why?

Yes, I believe is suits me, as being in the chiropractic program requires us to conduct a research topic in Semester 7 & 8 that involves proposal writing, addressing the Joint Committee and other procedures before conducting the experiment. Students in other programs in IMU which require a research to be conducted such as Nutrition & Dietetics as well as Medicine, would find this e-book to be useful in the course of their undergraduate degree. I also believe this e-book suits anyone, in any program looking to expand their knowledge and skill in proposal writing which is a truly invaluable ability when it comes to conducting research.

4.   Would you recommend this book to your colleagues and why?
Yes, I would recommend this e-book to my colleagues as it is an all-rounded book, written in a way that can be understood and appreciated by most people. Furthermore, as numbers of student and professionals in the academic world of research are reaching all-time highs with tertiary education becoming more available to people around the globe, the need for proper referencing and proposal writing has become greater than ever before. A strong research proposal can make, or break, an investigation into the interest of the researcher. What this means, is that information that could have benefited society could only  be produced if a sufficient research proposal was presented. How can human society advance without advancing our limited pool of knowledge?


https://www.clinicalkey.com.ezp.imu.edu.my/#!/browse/book/3-s2.0-C20111081237

Review by Amilia Chai Hui Yong
 Click the book cover to access the e-book

1.   What I like about the book
I like how the author begins with the basics such as anatomy of lungs, lung growth and lung development. The content of the book is very detailed and this makes it easier for the readers to build their basics on human respiratory system. The author has also included diagram, flow charts and tables in the book which makes the content of the book more attractive and interesting. The contents are separated into subtopics as well as paragraphs with mini titles which help the reader to understand and learn more easily. Most importantly, it can be easily access through clinical key which ease the process of learning.

2.   Brief content of the book
This book contains an introduction to the respiratory system, as well as all the known pulmonary diseases. It gives a depth insight of common pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary Edema, Lung Cancer and Pneumonias as well as rare lung diseases such as Rare Primary Lung Tumors, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and so on.  Besides, this book also includes the basic concept such as Acid-Base balance which plays an important role in respiratory system.

3.  Does it suit you or any other programs and why
In my opinion, I personally think that this book suits me as a pharmacy student as it strengthens my basics on respiratory system and diseases related to lungs. It is very useful when it comes to Problem Based Learning (PBL) as this e-book has included epidemiology, clinical manifestation, treatment and so on. The most attractive part is it provides videos which can be shown to friends and lecturers during PBL.

4.   Would you recommend this book to your colleagues and why?

I would highly recommend this book to my colleagues as the content of the book is very detailed and direct. The words and terms used is quite simple and can be understand easily. It also gives us a bright overview of the respiratory system and pulmonary diseases which will be really useful for students in pharmacy course, especially those in Semester 3.


https://www.clinicalkey.com.ezp.imu.edu.my/#!/browse/book/3-s2.0-C20100662298
Review by Muhamad Faizzuddin
 Click the book cover to access the e-book

1.   What I like about the book?
One of the most capturing element about this book is its beautiful yet detailed illustrations that give a concise picture of what the context is describing and hence, easily enhance understanding on a topic. This book applies a new concepts and findings as a background to furthering patient management.

2.   Brief content of the book.

In the beginning, this book provides the understanding of the normal development of the embryonic genital tract which gives insight into many disorders encountered in the female in the following chapters.
The diseases of the lower genital tract related to HPV are comprehensively presented in six separate chapters including one ( Chapter 9  ) exclusively devoted to the molecular biology of cervical squamous neoplasia, early detection, and prophylactic vaccines. Even if it has been unilaterally proposed by the Lower Anogenital Tract Squamous Terminology (LAST) group, the unified nomenclature with two-tier (LSIL and HSIL) system for all HPV-related preinvasive squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract has been adhered to throughout.

3.   Does it suit you or any other programs and why?
I feel that this will certainly be of use to the medical stream students as well as health sciences . This book will provide them a clear detail regarding pathology of the female reproductive tract. But on the other hand, this book will not correlate as much to the chiropractic students.

4.   Would you recommend this book to your colleagues and why?

I would recommend this book to my colleagues as it provides comprehensive information on the reproductive system disease in the female. It answers some of the questions of what, how and why relating to female reproductive diseases and I feel that it is crucial for us to understand these concepts in conjunction with our knowledge of drugs to optimize ideal treatment for patients.


Printed books (reviews are through i-loc):

http://i-loc.imu.edu.my/lib/item?id=chamo:59053&fromLocationLink=false&theme=imu
 Review by Damia Faiqah
 Click the book cover to access the e-book


http://i-loc.imu.edu.my/lib/item?id=chamo:50302&fromLocationLink=false&theme=imu
 Review by Nicole Tay Wuen Rong
 Click the book cover to access the e-book

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