45 research outputs found
Mid-Sized Businesses and the challenges of growth: Implications for the Theory of Administrative Behaviour and management education
This thesis is a theory-driven exploration of Mid-Sized Businesses (MSBs), developed at the intersection of the challenges that are constricting organisational growth and the management education tools that may enable them to be overcome. The analysis is focused on MSBs in England, during the period 2014 to 2018. MSBs have long been a cornerstone of the UK economy, spanning a variety of different industries and contributing an amount to UK GDP that is disproportionate to both their size and number. The study is concerned with how decision-making, along with other essential management activities, is affected by the dynamics of an organisation and what makes a high-growth MSB successful. It draws upon the Theory of Administrative Behaviour to construct a performance analysis model that can explain the differences between high-growth and low-growth organisations, providing a platform from which to forecast the likelihood of future growth. In the first part of the study, the context and requirements for the research are outlined and a conceptual model is introduced. Latterly, an analytical framework is developed that conceptualises the dynamics of decision-making in MSBs. Finally, an assessment is made of the contribution to theory that a deeper understanding of the behavioural dynamics in MSBs will make. The implications for management education, specifically the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, are examined
Evaluating the Impact of a Quiz Question within an Educational Video
Educational videos are becoming more prevalent within a higher education context and the use of videos is now taken for granted. However, the full impact videos have on learning is under researched and not fully known. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of quiz questions embedded throughout a video. Students from different modules (n1 = 102, n2 = 23) watched three different formats of videos and subsequent results of a multiple choice test were recorded and compared. In addition, viewing behaviour was recorded and explored to evaluate if this also impacted upon results. Results highlighted, that the performance on tests significantly improved after watching the video with embedded quiz questions throughout. Contrary to the test scores, students’ perceptions did not identify any differences, however students’ qualitative comments showed overwhelming support for quizzes embedded throughout a video. Implications on professional practice and further research to build upon this study are discussed
Circulating microRNAs in sera correlate with soluble biomarkers of immune activation but do not predict mortality in ART treated individuals with HIV-1 infection: A case control study
Introduction: The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced HIV-1 associated morbidity and mortality. However, HIV-1 infected individuals have increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the non-HIV-1 infected population and this appears to be related to end-organ diseases collectively referred to as Serious Non-AIDS Events (SNAEs). Circulating miRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for a number of human disease conditions including those that constitute SNAEs. Our study sought to investigate the potential of selected miRNAs in predicting mortality in HIV-1 infected ART treated individuals. Materials and Methods: A set of miRNAs was chosen based on published associations with human disease conditions that constitute SNAEs. This case: control study compared 126 cases (individuals who died whilst on therapy), and 247 matched controls (individuals who remained alive). Cases and controls were ART treated participants of two pivotal HIV-1 trials. The relative abundance of each miRNA in serum was measured, by RTqPCR. Associations with mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular and malignancy) were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Correlations between miRNAs and CD4+ T cell count, hs-CRP, IL-6 and D-dimer were also assessed. Results: None of the selected miRNAs was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular or malignancy mortality. The levels of three miRNAs (miRs -21, -122 and -200a) correlated with IL-6 while miR-21 also correlated with D-dimer. Additionally, the abundance of miRs -31, -150 and -223, correlated with baseline CD4+ T cell count while the same three miRNAs plus miR- 145 correlated with nadir CD4+ T cell count. Discussion: No associations with mortality were found with any circulating miRNA studied. These results cast doubt onto the effectiveness of circulating miRNA as early predictors of mortality or the major underlying diseases that contribute to mortality in participants treated for HIV-1 infection
Development and Validation of a Risk Score for Chronic Kidney Disease in HIV Infection Using Prospective Cohort Data from the D:A:D Study
Ristola M. on työryhmien DAD Study Grp ; Royal Free Hosp Clin Cohort ; INSIGHT Study Grp ; SMART Study Grp ; ESPRIT Study Grp jäsen.Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue for HIV-positive individuals, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Development and implementation of a risk score model for CKD would allow comparison of the risks and benefits of adding potentially nephrotoxic antiretrovirals to a treatment regimen and would identify those at greatest risk of CKD. The aims of this study were to develop a simple, externally validated, and widely applicable long-term risk score model for CKD in HIV-positive individuals that can guide decision making in clinical practice. Methods and Findings A total of 17,954 HIV-positive individuals from the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study with >= 3 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values after 1 January 2004 were included. Baseline was defined as the first eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 after 1 January 2004; individuals with exposure to tenofovir, atazanavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, other boosted protease inhibitors before baseline were excluded. CKD was defined as confirmed (>3 mo apart) eGFR In the D:A:D study, 641 individuals developed CKD during 103,185 person-years of follow-up (PYFU; incidence 6.2/1,000 PYFU, 95% CI 5.7-6.7; median follow-up 6.1 y, range 0.3-9.1 y). Older age, intravenous drug use, hepatitis C coinfection, lower baseline eGFR, female gender, lower CD4 count nadir, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) predicted CKD. The adjusted incidence rate ratios of these nine categorical variables were scaled and summed to create the risk score. The median risk score at baseline was -2 (interquartile range -4 to 2). There was a 1: 393 chance of developing CKD in the next 5 y in the low risk group (risk score = 5, 505 events), respectively. Number needed to harm (NNTH) at 5 y when starting unboosted atazanavir or lopinavir/ritonavir among those with a low risk score was 1,702 (95% CI 1,166-3,367); NNTH was 202 (95% CI 159-278) and 21 (95% CI 19-23), respectively, for those with a medium and high risk score. NNTH was 739 (95% CI 506-1462), 88 (95% CI 69-121), and 9 (95% CI 8-10) for those with a low, medium, and high risk score, respectively, starting tenofovir, atazanavir/ritonavir, or another boosted protease inhibitor. The Royal Free Hospital Clinic Cohort included 2,548 individuals, of whom 94 individuals developed CKD (3.7%) during 18,376 PYFU (median follow-up 7.4 y, range 0.3-12.7 y). Of 2,013 individuals included from the SMART/ESPRIT control arms, 32 individuals developed CKD (1.6%) during 8,452 PYFU (median follow-up 4.1 y, range 0.6-8.1 y). External validation showed that the risk score predicted well in these cohorts. Limitations of this study included limited data on race and no information on proteinuria. Conclusions Both traditional and HIV-related risk factors were predictive of CKD. These factors were used to develop a risk score for CKD in HIV infection, externally validated, that has direct clinical relevance for patients and clinicians to weigh the benefits of certain antiretrovirals against the risk of CKD and to identify those at greatest risk of CKD.Peer reviewe
Introduction to Marketing
Just what is Marketing? This podcast looks at what Marketing is, and isn’t, from the context of Financial Services. It has been used as an introductory aid for an undergraduate course at the University of Northampton. It could be used as an educational aid to introduce both undergraduate and postgraduate students to the field of marketing. The podcast could also be used to introduce distance learners to the subject, or as a complementary, online aid for on campus students.