Activity Cliffs As Protein-Related Phenomenon: Investigation Using Machine Learning Against Numerous Protein Kinases

Activity cliffs (ACs) are analogous compounds of significant affinity discrepancies against certain biotarget. We propose that the ACs phenomenon is protein-related and that the propensity of certain target to have ACs can be predicted by some intrinsic protein properties. We pursued this assumption by collecting the crystallographic structures of 84 protein kinases, each of which has numerous reported inhibitors (hundreds). Following data augmentation using synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE), we attempted to correlate the presence/absence of ACs within the ligand pools of collected protein kinases with their corresponding protein properties using genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with variety of machine learners (MLs). Very good GA-ML models were achieved with accuracies of around 75% against external testing set. The models were further validated by Y-scrambling. Shapely additive explanations highlighted the significance of protein rotatable bonds, hydrophobic and acidic residues in relation to the presence of ACs. These results support the hypothesis that ACs are protein-related.

The Adventure of Raising Kids in Spanish and English as Non-Native Anglophone Families in Spain

This chapter focuses on a minority childhood education-related phenomenon that is gaining presence in Spain: that of non-native Anglophone parents who decide to raise their children in both Spanish and English. The authors analyze these families' perceptions as regards the development of such linguistic raising model both before they started to implement it and during the process. Qualitative information gathered through in-depth interviews is analyzed. The narratives of the studied families (combining aspirations, desires and motivating rewards, on the one hand, and uncertainties, fears and obstacles, on the other) denote a profound sense of adventure in the way they live this educational process. Such sense of adventure must be understood in a context of a certain vacuum for these families as regards referents, guides, or models for them.

Approach to Diagnostic Cytopathology of Serous Effusions

Collection of most serous fluids from various effusions is a relatively simple procedure. Because of this, serous fluids are commonly submitted for pathologic examination including cytopathologic evaluation by various clinical institutions. As a consequence, even a general pathology laboratory which may not have expertise with highly trained cytopathologist would be confronted with serous fluids for cytologic evaluation. However, cytopathologic evaluation of serous fluids is complex as compared to evaluation of fine needle aspiration cytology. This signifies the fact that all pathologists, irrespective of subspeciality cytopathology training and level of subspeciality expertise, should be conversant with the diagnostic challenges and pitfalls of effusion fluid cytology. Although, majority of effusions are due to reactive and non-neoplastic etiologies, cancer is one of the causes of an effusion as a manifestation of advanced cancer. Detecting neoplastic cells in effusion specimens in most of clinical settings is related to the advanced status of the disease, which usually is equivalent to incurable stage. Thus, interpretation of cytopathology as positive for cancer cell is highly critical in planning the trajectory of the clinical management with an obvious negative impact of false positive interpretation. Apart from cancer, effusions may be secondary to hemodynamic pathologies such as heart failure, hypoalbuminemia, cirrhosis etc. in addition to the different inflammatory conditions including parasitic infestations, bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, and other non-neoplastic etiologies including collagen diseases. Due to the cytomorphologic overlap of reactive mesothelial cells with malignant cells, general cytologic criteria for diagnosis of malignancy in single cells cannot be applied in most of the effusion specimens. This challenge is further amplified because of surface tension related phenomenon which ‘round up’ the cells after exfoliation in serous fluids. As a result, the native shapes of cancer cells cannot be a guiding feature. Thus the cytomorphologic features of cancer cells in serous fluids may not be same as seen in routine cytopathology of exfoliative, brushing, and fine-needle aspiration specimens. The cancer cells may continue to proliferate after exfoliation in the nutrient rich effusion fluids and may form proliferation spheres. It is crucial to consider these factors when interpreting effusion cytology. Amongst malignant effusions, adenocarcinomas are the most common cause of metastatic cancers, but almost any type of malignancy including melanomas, hematopoietic neoplasms, sarcomas, and mesotheliomas may involve serous cavities. The interpreter must be aware of the wide range of the cytomorphologic appearances of reactive mesothelial cells in effusion fluids. It is essential to understand these and other nuances related to effusion fluid cytology. Understanding potential pitfalls during various stages from processing to application of ancillary studies would increase the diagnostic accuracy and minimize atypical interpretations and false positivity.

Possible shock-induced crystallization of skeletal quartz from supercritical SiO2-H2O fluid: A case study of impact melt from Kamil impact crater, Egypt

Since its discovery, the Kamil crater (Egypt) has been considered a natural laboratory for studying small-scale impact cratering. We report on a previously unknown shock-related phenomenon observed in impact melt masses from Kamil; that is, the shock-triggered formation of skeletal quartz aggregates from silica-rich fluids. These aggregates are unshocked and characterized by crystallographically oriented lamellar voids and rounded vesicles. The distribution of the aggregates can be correlated with former H2O- and impurity-rich heterogeneities in precursor quartz; i.e., fluid inclusions. The heterogeneities acted as hot spots for local melting. Due to the presence of H2O and the high impact pressure and temperature, the formation of a localized supercritical fluid is plausible. Below the upper critical end point of the SiO2–H2O system (temperature <1100 °C and pressure <1 GPa), SiO2 melt and H2O fluid become immiscible, leading to the rapid and complete crystallization of skeletal quartz.

Organisational Characteristics That Facilitate Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in Higher Education?

Gender-based violence and sexual harassment (GBVH) by and towards academics and students has been under-theorised at an organisational level in higher education institutions (HEIs). The methodology involves a critical review of the literature on GBVH and organizational responses to it, locating it in the context of an analysis of organizational power. The theoretical perspective involves a focus on power and workplace bullying. It identifies three power-related characteristics of academic environments which it is suggested facilitate GBVH: their male-dominant hierarchical character; their neoliberal managerialist ethos and gender/intersectional incompetent leadership which perpetuates male entitlement and toxic masculinities. These characteristics also inhibit tackling GBVH by depicting it as an individual problem, encouraging informal coping and militating against the prosecution of perpetrators. Initiating a discussion and action at organizational and state levels about GBVH as a power-related phenomenon, challenging the dominant neo-liberal ethos and the hierarchical character of HEIs, as well as reducing their male dominance and increasing the gender competence of those in positions of power are seen as initial steps in tackling the problem.

Fibonacci Sequence-related Phenomenon During Chondrocyte Proliferation of the Gottingen Pig Knee Tibial Plateau

Background The aim of our study was to observe the quantitative changes in tibial plateau chondrocytes in the proliferation process from normal Gottingen pigs in vitro and compare them with the Fibonacci sequence.Methods Chondrocytes from normal Gottingen pig tibial plateau cartilage were isolated and cultured to the third generation, and the number of chondrocytes was measured to determine whether the chondrocyte growth was at the logarithmic growth phase. Chondrocytes were added to cell culture bottles at very a low density to allow full separation and allow each chondrocyte to grow as independently as possible. Thirty single chondrocytes were selected, and the number of chondrocyte colonies were observed and recorded every day. Results Among the 30 chondrocyte colonies, the changes in the numbers of 16 chondrocyte colonies were 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, and 987, which conformed to the numbers of the Fibonacci sequence.The number of other chondrocyte colonies was lower than corresponding numbers of the Fibonacci sequence at the same time point.Conclusion The numbers of normal Gottingen pig tibial plateau chondrocytes during the proliferation process were in line with the numbers of the Fibonacci sequence.Alignment to the Fibonacci sequence may be the fastest way for changes in the numbers of normal chondrocytes during the proliferation process in vitro.

Disability insurance benefit application in Switzerland: an analysis of linked administrative and survey data

Background The guiding principle of disability insurance in Switzerland is ‘rehabilitation before pension’. Access to rehabilitation measures to restore, maintain or improve the earning capacity of individuals with disabilities is essential. Gainful employment enables them to be an active part of society, improves their quality of life, and may mitigate the adverse health effects of disability pension receipt. The aim of this study was therefore to identify factors for disability insurance benefit application in Switzerland. Methods A novel dataset was created linking the 2010 Social Protection and Labour Market cross-section with administrative register data on disability insurance benefit application (2009–2018). Multiple logistic regression was employed to examine the associations between long-term health-related activity limitation, region of residence, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and disability insurance benefit application in adults aged 18–55 (N = 18,448). Sensitivity analysis based on age was performed in individuals aged 18 to retirement age and aged 25 to 55. Results The regression results showed higher odds of disability insurance benefit application for individuals suffering from long-term health-related activity limitations (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.29–6.44; p-value 0.010); born outside of Switzerland (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.32–2.32; p-value 0.000); living without a working partner (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.17–2.02; p-value 0.002); living without a child aged 0–14 years (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.29–2.26; p-value 0.000); aged 18–39 (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.09–1.83; p-value 0.009); with a learnt occupation in ‘Manufacturing’ (OR 2.75; 95% CI 1.68–4.50; p-value 0.000), ‘Construction and mining’ (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.13–3.66; p-value 0.018), ‘Trade and transport’ (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.30–3.45; p-value 0.003), ‘Business and administration’ (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.03–2.72; p-value 0.036), and ‘Health, teaching, culture and science’ (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.05–2.29; p-value 0.026); and renters (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.00–1.94; p-value 0.016). The results were robust to alternative samples defined by age – albeit with some differences in regional and learnt occupational patterns. Conclusions The results suggested that disability insurance benefit application is more than a health-related phenomenon in Switzerland. However, the results provided a less consistent picture on the role of marginalization in application than in other European countries.

FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME IN EARLY OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEE WITH TWO DOSES OF PLATELET RICH PLASMA OUR EXPERIENCE.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder of synovial joints in which there is gradual softening and disintegration of articular cartilage accompanied by the new growth of cartilage and bone at the joint margins(Osteophytes), cyst formation and sclerosis in the subchondral bone, mild synovitis, and capsular brosis. It differs from simple wear and tears in that it is asymmetrically distributed, often localized to only one part of a joint i.e., weight bearing, and often associated with abnormal loading rather than frictional wear. It is a dynamic phenomenon and shows features of both destruction and repair. Cartilage softening and disintegration are accompanied from the very outset by hyperactive new bone formation, osteophyte formation and remodeling. Osteoarthritis is an age-related phenomenon, and it affects more than 80% of people greater than 55 years of age. Body mass index (BMI) plays a vital role in osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints. People with obese or overweight were approximately 4.6 times more likely to have knee OA than normalweight individuals. In addition people with metabolic and endocrine disorders are also more prone for osteoarthritis at an early age. Methods: Sixty patients suffering from grade1and 2 osteoarthritis knee joint who attended the outpatient department of orthopaedics, King George hospital, Visakhapatnam between November 2018 to October 2020 were included in the study. Informed and written consent was taken from the patients. General physical examination was done. Neurovascular status of both lower limbs was also examined. X-ray of both knee joints in antero-posterior and lateral views were taken in standing position. Routine pre-injection WOMAC and VAS score were recorded. Under aseptic conditions, two platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections were injected into the knee joint at four weeks interval. Functional status of the knee was evaluated using WOMAC and VAS score at one, three and six week's interval. This study is a anlyticl comparative study. Results: There is a signicant difference in the VAS score and WOMAC score before giving an injection and after giving an injection, in patients with grade 1 and grade 2 osteoarthritis. The visual analogue score showed a mean of 7.16 at pre-injection period, which decreased to 5.95 at 1st week and 4.81 at 3rd week and 4.06 at six weeks follow up. Conclusion: In the present study the effectiveness of two aliquots of PRP injection was evaluated. Although studies including more than 2 PRP injections and more advanced stages of osteoarthritis were compared, the time frame was xed to 6 weeks. The functional outcome of the patient was better after 2nd dose of PRP. The present study concluded that two doses of PRP injection decreases the joint pain, alleviates the symptoms and enhances the activity of daily living and quality of life in short term duration.

Conflict in Organizations and Organizing

Organizational communication scholars define conflict as interaction among interdependent people who perceive opposition in their goals, aims, and /or values, and who see the other(s) as potentially interfering with the realization of these goals, aims, or values. Given that organizations consist of interaction among interdependent people, conflict is inherent to organizational communication. Organizational conflict scholarship includes a rich and diverse body of literature that spans theoretical and disciplinary perspectives as well as methodological approaches and disparate goals, ranging from describing to understanding and predicting conflict behavior, impacts, and outcomes. Scholars conceptualize conflict as both a challenge to the status quo and an opportunity for innovation, creativity, and improved understanding and communication. Research on conflict in organizations has often focused on conflict styles to examine common approaches to resolving or managing conflict. Styles are often defined as predispositions, with the recognition that people also choose a conflict style based on characteristics of a specific conflict situation. The five styles are described as competing, collaborating, cooperating, accommodating, and avoiding. While there are hundreds of studies examining these styles, virtually all of them conclude that collaborating and cooperating styles are considered most appropriate and effective, while competing and avoiding styles are perceived as inappropriate and least effective, especially in the long term. Nonetheless, each style may be appropriate under specific circumstances. Other important dimensions of organizational conflict include how it is managed by leaders and members (supervisors and subordinates), intercultural conflict, and conflict within and across groups. Research has found a relationship between how organizational leaders manage conflict, their openness to the related phenomenon of employee dissent, and employee satisfaction with the organization, leadership, and their perceptions of organizational justice. An important consideration in all conflict contexts is attention to face concerns. In conflict with superiors, in intercultural conflict, and in conflict in work groups, communication that attempts to protect, rather than threaten, each party’s image is most likely to be collaborative, meet all parties’ interests, and maintain relationships. Because it can be especially difficult to manage conflict when there are power differences, it is helpful when organizations create a conflict management system (CMS) to assist organizational members. A CMS often includes a third party who can help organizational members better understand their conflict and assess their options, such as an ombudsperson or an employee relations advisor. CMSs may also provide an array of less costly alternatives to the formal grievance process or litigation, such as mediation and conflict coaching. An important arena in conflict scholarship focuses on conflict education, which examines curricula and programs for all levels, from K-12 to higher education, with the goals of creating communities grounded in shared responsibility and social justice. Research on the development of conflict education and training at all levels is necessary to help foster the innovative and transformational potential of conflict and its management.

Nurse education today: Between teaching and publication focus

“Publish or Perish” is no longer an imagination. On the contrary, it is considered a new reality in nursing education today. All nurse scholars, researchers, faculty members, and students are eager and compete with each other to publish their research works in academic journals. Success in this challenge brings personal benefits, especially for academic reputation and promotion, as well as organizational benefits, such as university ranking and sponsorship. However, despite the advantages of faculty publication, the pros and cons of this topic are on the rise. Therefore, this article aims to discuss the publication-related phenomenon in nursing education, followed by concerns and recommendations for consideration.