Film Analysis in Management Research: Knowing Why and How to Use It

Despite many recent peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, broad understanding of the production of observational studies using film analysis seems to be lacking. This article reviews the increasing use of film analysis as a qualitative tool in studies in the field of management studies, with particular attention paid to why and how to use it. Hence, this review addresses questions such as: What are these studies? What are the factors that should be considered for them to continue being produced? What are the possibilities of locus? How is scientific rigor contemplated? As a result, enhanced qualitative, descriptive, inductive, interpretive, and reflective understanding of its methodological aspects is expected. Its contribution can support researchers interested in producing observational studies in film analysis, paying attention to the rigor of this research approach, applied in the specific step by step of each study and considering the chosen locus and object of study. Keywords: Film Analysis. Qualitative Research. Observational Studies.

A PTEN variant uncouples longevity from impaired fitness in Caenorhabditis elegans with reduced insulin/IGF-1 signaling

Insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) regulates various physiological aspects in numerous species. In Caenorhabditis elegans, mutations in the daf-2/insulin/IGF-1 receptor dramatically increase lifespan and immunity, but generally impair motility, growth, and reproduction. Whether these pleiotropic effects can be dissociated at a specific step in insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway remains unknown. Through performing a mutagenesis screen, we identified a missense mutation daf-18(yh1) that alters a cysteine to tyrosine in DAF-18/PTEN phosphatase, which maintained the long lifespan and enhanced immunity, while improving the reduced motility in adult daf-2 mutants. We showed that the daf-18(yh1) mutation decreased the lipid phosphatase activity of DAF-18/PTEN, while retaining a partial protein tyrosine phosphatase activity. We found that daf-18(yh1) maintained the partial activity of DAF-16/FOXO but restricted the detrimental upregulation of SKN-1/NRF2, contributing to beneficial physiological traits in daf-2 mutants. Our work provides important insights into how one evolutionarily conserved component, PTEN, can coordinate animal health and longevity.

Philosophical Curriculum and Lawlessness in the Republic

In the Republic, philosophy is associated with lawfulness, while tyranny and other corrupted regimes and individuals are associated with various degrees of lawlessness. So why does Socrates explain that the curriculum addressed to the philosophers of the ideal city brings about a risk of lawlessness among the potential philosopher-rulers? This is due to a specific step of this curriculum, the practice of refutation, which causes an intellectual as well as moral distress that can lead to skepticism and in fine to lawlessness. Although this risk needs to be reduced to a minimum, it has to be taken because the philosophical natures should be able to survive all challenges in order to become genuine dialecticians. Therefore, philosophy can lead to lawlessness but even when it does not, it is nonetheless true that the requirements of philosophy take priority over lawfulness.

Role of the Discriminator Sequence in the Supercoiling Sensitivity of Bacterial Promoters

In this study, we highlight the role of the discriminator as a global sensor of supercoiling variations and propose the first quantitative regulatory model of this principle, based on the specific step of promoter opening during transcription initiation. It defines the predictive rule by which SC quantitatively modulates the expression rate of bacterial promoters, depending on the G/C content of their discriminator and independently from promoter-specific regulatory proteins.

Estimating the Product of the X-ray Spectrum and Quantum Detection Efficiency of a CT System and Its Application to Beam Hardening Correction

Lab-based X-ray computed tomography (XCT) systems use X-ray sources that emit a polychromatic X-ray spectrum and detectors that do not detect all X-ray photons with the same efficiency. A consequence of using a polychromatic X-ray source is that beam hardening artefacts may be present in the reconstructed data, and the presence of such artefacts can degrade XCT image quality and affect quantitative analysis. If the product of the X-ray spectrum and the quantum detection efficiency (QDE) of the detector are known, alongside the material of the scanned object, then beam hardening artefacts can be corrected algorithmically. In this work, a method for estimating the product of the X-ray spectrum and the detector’s QDE is offered. The method approximates the product of the X-ray spectrum and the QDE as a Bézier curve, which requires only eight fitting parameters to be estimated. It is shown experimentally and through simulation that Bézier curves can be used to accurately simulate polychromatic attenuation and hence be used to correct beam hardening artefacts. The proposed method is tested using measured attenuation data and then used to calculate a beam hardening correction for an aluminium workpiece; the beam hardening correction leads to an increase in the contrast-to-noise ratio of the XCT data by 41% and the removal of cupping artefacts. Deriving beam hardening corrections in this manner is more versatile than using conventional material-specific step wedges.

Media Fill Test for validation of non-radioactive kit for radiopharmaceutical preparations

Introduction: The administration of improperly prepared intravenous fluids might determine healthcare-associated infections. Quality and sterility assurance in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing products must be evaluated by media fill tests that simulate the performance of the aseptic manufacturing procedure. The aim of this study is to show a methodological modification of a specific step of media fill tests, giving an overview of economic and organizational advantages that it might bring. Materials And Methods: Media fill tests were conducted to ensure that they reproduce as strictly as possible the routine aseptic production process with all the critical steps described in the internal Standard Operating Procedures. We introduced an innovative modification in the step 1: instead of using a completely decayed 99Mo/99mTc generator, we used 99Mo/99mTc generator just before its disposal and eluting it with saline solution aspirated in an empty vacuum vial. Results: A total of 47 production runs were performed, and a total of 799 vials were tested for sterility. Thirteen nuclear medicine technicians were assessed. We found contamination in 1% of the total number of vials analyzed). Conclusions: The modification proposed shows several advantages: reduction of the costs of the media fill tests, the possibility to manage these without referring to external services, and decreased injuries for technicians who perform the tests.

Como realizar a análise tridimensional das vias aéreas superiores em pacientes ortodônticos?

The upper airways (UA) are influenced by the growth and development of the craniofacial complex and any alteration in the maxillary bones during orthodontic treatment can narrow or increase the size of the pharyngeal spaces. The three-dimensional analysis of the volume and the minimum axial area of the respective sub-spaces is beneficial for case planning as it allows the identification of possible physical barriers that compromise the air passage and the respiratory flow, besides being an auxiliary diagnostic method for disorders related to this function. The request for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is necessary for the correct digital evaluation with the appropriate protocols for the acquisition and reconstruction of the image exams, calibration of the methodology, and standardization of their analysis. The objective of this work is to demystify the specific step-by-step analysis in the Dolphin Imaging® software and to describe the technical and anatomical factors for delimiting the spaces corresponding to the UA. To illustrate this protocol, CBCT of a patient with Angle Class II malocclusion, first division were analyzed before the installation (T1) of a mandibular thruster (fixed cemented Herbst appliance with dental anchorage) and after 12 months of treatment (T2). From the measurement of the spaces corresponding to VAS, comparing the two treatment times, it was possible to analyze the changes in the pharyngeal space after the use of mandibular thruster and to highlight the importance of the three-dimensional assessment of the air dimension for individualized orthodontic planning.

Strategic Activity Planning for Emotionally Disturbed Children and Adolescents

Strategically planned activity components for residential treatment program directly reduced the amount of negative acting out which must be managed in the cottage environment. Sequentially guided creative tasks can provide a supportive central core for treatment goal implementation. Organized activities serve to measure progress towards individual and peer relationship objectives. Specific step-by-step strategies and projects are recommended for use within the therapeutic milieu for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.