The die is cast: Brexit's influence on student career intentions

Brexit, Britain’s referendum to leave the European Union (EU), provided the backdrop for this study, although how or even if it will be implemented is uncertain. Most UK voters supported leaving the EU, yet an overwhelming majority of young people voted to remain. In an environment of economic and labour market ambiguity, we sampled 304 UK university students to examine Brexit’s perceived impact on their career plans. Using Theory of Planned Behaviour, we found that students with higher internal locus of control intended to adapt career plans, although students who identified themselves as British were less proactive. Whilst most students aspired to follow a career path as an employee of a large company, nearly one third intended to become entrepreneurs, a path preferred by twice the number of males as females. Our results provide important insights for post-Brexit planning of educational policy and for businesses and labour markets throughout Europe

Detection of early osteogenic commitment in primary cells using Raman spectroscopy

Major challenges in the development of novel implant surfaces for artificial joints include osteoblast heterogeneity and the lack of a simple and sensitive in vitro assay to measure early osteogenic responses. Raman spectroscopy is a label-free, non-invasive and non-destructive vibrational fingerprinting optical technique that is increasingly being applied to detect biochemical changes in cells. In this study Raman spectroscopy has been used to obtain bone cell-specific spectral signatures and to identify any changes therein during osteoblast commitment and differentiation of primary cells in culture. Murine calvarial osteoblasts (COBs) were extracted and cultured and studied by Raman spectroscopy over a 14 day culture period. Distinct osteogenic Raman spectra were identified after 3 days of culture with strong bands detected for mineral: phosphate ν3 (1030 cm−1) and B-type carbonate (1072 cm−1), DNA (782 cm−1) and collagen matrix (CH2 deformation at 1450 cm−1) and weaker phosphate bands (948 and 970 cm−1). Early changes were detected by Raman spectroscopy compared to a standard enzymatic alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay and gene expression analyses over this period. Proliferation of COBs was confirmed by fluorescence intensity measurements using the Picogreen dsDNA reagent. Changes in ALP levels were evident only after 14 days of culture and mRNA expression levels for ALP, Col1a1 and Sclerostin remained constant during the culture period. Sirius red staining for collagen deposition also revealed little change until day 14. In contrast Raman spectroscopy revealed the presence of amorphous calcium phosphate (945–952 cm−1) and carbonated apatite (957–962 cm−1) after only 3 days in culture and octacalcium phosphate (970 cm−1) considered a transient mineral phase, was detected after 5 days of COBs culture. PCA analysis confirmed clear separation between time-points. This study highlights the potential of Raman spectroscopy to be utilised for the early and specific detection of proliferation and differentiation changes in primary cultures of bone cells

Local origins impart conserved bone type-related differences in human osteoblast behaviour

Osteogenic behaviour of osteoblasts from trabecular, cortical and subchondral bone were examined to determine any bone type-selective differences in samples from both osteoarthritic (OA) and osteoporotic (OP) patients. Cell growth, differentiation; alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) mRNA and activity, Runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2), SP7-transcription factor (SP7), bone sialoprotein-II (BSP-II), osteocalcin/bone gamma-carboxyglutamate (BGLAP), osteoprotegerin (OPG, TNFRSF11B), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κβ ligand (RANKL, TNFSF11) mRNA levels and proangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) mRNA and protein release were assessed in osteoblasts from paired humeral head samples from age-matched, human OA/OP (n = 5/4) patients. Initial outgrowth and increase in cell number were significantly faster (p < 0.01) in subchondral and cortical than trabecular osteoblasts, in OA and OP, and this bone type-related differences were conserved despite consistently faster growth in OA. RUNX2/SP7 levels and TNAP mRNA and protein activity were, however, greater in trabecular than subchondral and cortical osteoblasts in OA and OP. BSP-II levels were significantly greater in trabecular and lowest in cortical osteoblasts in both OA and OP. In contrast, BGLAP levels showed divergent bone type-selective behaviour; highest in osteoblasts from subchondral origins in OA and trabecular origins in OP. We found virtually identical bone type-related differences, however, in TNFRSF11B:TNFSF11 in OA and OP, consistent with greater potential for paracrine effects on osteoclasts in trabecular osteoblasts. Subchondral osteoblasts (OA) exhibited highest VEGF-A mRNA levels and release. Our data indicate that human osteoblasts in trabecular, subchondral and cortical bone have inherent, programmed diversity, with specific bone type-related differences in growth, differentiation and pro-angiogenic potential in vitro

Utilizing the Innovative Leadership Behavior Inventory and Relationship Marketing as Critical Elements for Teaching/Learning Entrepreneurial Leadership (EL)

The focus of this paper will be on utilizing the five-factor Leader Behavior Inventory (LBI) as the structure, and various teaching or learning pedagogy and related processes and relationships as the intervening variables in order to help entrepreneurs assess then enhance their potential leadership behavior. In turn, this should foster the decision process necessary to accomplish enterprise building or organizational development thus enhancing the cycle time for critical change. Should the LBI and associated assessment tools and processes indicate such, the best practice strategies may involve bringing in professional management, slowing the growth of the enterprise to allow for leadership development, or an appropriate exit strategy

Lucro líquido do franqueado: um sinal para a escolha de franquia em época de crise

Este artículo aborda desde la perspectiva de la Teoría de Señales la elección de una franquicia por un potencial franquiciado que elige este canal de distribución por primera vez. El objetivo es analizar la relación entre algunas señales enviadas por el franquiciador y la elección de una franquicia por el potencial franquiciado. Concluimos que los efectos de las variables macroeconómicas de España en el periodo 2006-2013 influyeron en los ingresos netos de los franquiciados para que se convirtiera en una señal empleada por éstos a la hora de elegir la franquicia donde abrir un establecimiento.This paper adopts the perspective of Theory of Signals to discuss how someone starting a business as a franchisee for the first time can choose a suitable franchise brand. The aim was to analyze the relationship between certain signals sent by the franchisor and the choice of a franchise brand by the prospective franchisee. Using panel data, we found that the effects of macroeconomic variables in Spain for the 2006-2013 crisis period influenced franchisees' net income, which thus became a relevant signal in their process of choosing a franchise brand to start a business.Sob a perspectiva da Teoria de Sinais, este artigo aborda a seleção de uma franquia por um franqueado que elege esse potencial canal de distribuição pela primeira vez. O objetivo é analisar a relação entre alguns sinais enviados pelo franqueador e a escolha de uma franquia pelo potencial franqueado. Usando a metodologia de dados em painel, os resultados obtidos nos permitiram concluir que os efeitos das variáveis macroeconômicas da Espanha no período de crise econômica (2006-2013) influenciaram as receitas líquidas dos franqueados, tornando-se um sinal para eles elegerem onde abrir um estabelecimento franqueado

A survey of recent results for the generalizations of ordinary differential equations

This is a review paper on recent results for different types of generalized ordinary differential equations. Its scope ranges from discontinuous equations to equations on time scales. We also discuss their relation with inclusion and highlight the use of generalized integration to unify many of them under one single formulation

Does publication bias inflate the apparent efficacy of psychological treatment for major depressive disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis of US national institutes of health-funded trials

Background The efficacy of antidepressant medication has been shown empirically to be overestimated due to publication bias, but this has only been inferred statistically with regard to psychological treatment for depression. We assessed directly the extent of study publication bias in trials examining the efficacy of psychological treatment for depression. Methods and Findings We identified US National Institutes of Health grants awarded to fund randomized clinical trials comparing psychological treatment to control conditions or other treatments in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder for the period 1972–2008, and we determined whether those grants led to publications. For studies that were not published, data were requested from investigators and included in the meta-analyses. Thirteen (23.6%) of the 55 funded grants that began trials did not result in publications, and two others never started. Among comparisons to control conditions, adding unpublished studies (Hedges’ g = 0.20; CI95% -0.11~0.51; k = 6) to published studies (g = 0.52; 0.37~0.68; k = 20) reduced the psychotherapy effect size point estimate (g = 0.39; 0.08~0.70) by 25%. Moreover, these findings may overestimate the "true" effect of psychological treatment for depression as outcome reporting bias could not be examined quantitatively. Conclusion The efficacy of psychological interventions for depression has been overestimated in the published literature, just as it has been for pharmacotherapy. Both are efficacious but not to the extent that the published literature would suggest. Funding agencies and journals should archive both original protocols and raw data from treatment trials to allow the detection and correction of outcome reporting bias. Clinicians, guidelines developers, and decision makers should be aware that the published literature overestimates the effects of the predominant treatments for depression

TEM analysis of apatite surface layers observed on zinc based glass polyalkenoate cements

peer-reviewedGlass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) are acid base cements formed by the reaction of an aqueous solution of polyalkenoic acid, usually polyacrylic acid (PAA) with an acid degradable aluminosilicate glass. The result of the reaction is cement consisting of reacted and unreacted glass particles embedded in a polysalt matrix. In addition to these conventional GPCs, aluminium free glass polyalkenoate cements based on zinc silicate glasses (Zn-GPCs) exhibit significant potential as bone cements for several reasons. Primarily, they are formulated without the inclusion of aluminium (Al) [1] in the glass phase and thus eliminate clinical complications arising from the release of the Al3+ ion from the cement in vivo. Such complications have, in the past, included aluminium induced encephalopathy [2-5] and defective mineralisation of cancellous bone [6]. Secondly, Zn-GPCs set without a significant evolution of heat, when compared with commercial bone cements such as Spineplex ® (Stryker, Limerick, Ireland). Finally, these materials can be tailored to release clinically beneficial ions into surrounding tissues [7]. In addition to Zn, these cements have been synthesized to contain strontium (Sr) [8, 9]. Both Sr and Zn inhibit osteoclastic turnover and promote osteoblastic turnover, resulting in increased bone strength and decreased fracture risk [10-14].Acceptedpeer-reviewe

Supervised team management, with or without structured psychotherapy, in heavy users of a mental health service with borderline personality disorder: a two-year follow-up preliminary randomized study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Individuals affected by severe Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are often heavy users of Mental Health Services (MHS). Short-term treatments currently used in BPD therapy are useful to target disruptive behaviors but they are less effective in reducing heavy MHS use. Therefore, alternative short-term treatments, less complex than long-term psychodynamic psychotherapies but specifically oriented to BPD core problems, need to be developed to reduce MHS overuse. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding Sequential Brief Adlerian Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (SB-APP) to Supervised Team Management (STM) in BPD treatment compared to STM alone in a naturalistic group of heavy MHS users with BPD. Effectiveness was evaluated 6 times along a two-year follow-up.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-five outpatients who met inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (STM = 17; SB-APP = 18) and then compared. Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and CGI-modified (CGI-M) for BPD, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), and Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R) were administered at T1, T3, T6, T12, T18 and T24. At T12 the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form (WAI-S) was also completed. At the one-year follow-up, SB-APP group did not receive any additional individual psychological support. MHS team was specifically trained in BPD treatment and had regular supervisions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All patients improved on CGI, GAF, and STAXI scores after 6 and 12 months, independently of treatment received. SB-APP group showed better outcome on impulsivity, suicide attempts, chronic feelings of emptiness, and disturbed relationships. We found a good stabilization at the one year follow-up, even after the interruption of brief psychotherapy in the SB-APP group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although STM for BPD applied to heavy MHS users was effective in reducing symptoms and improving their global functioning, adding a time-limited and focused psychotherapy was found to achieve a better outcome. In particular, focusing treatment on patients' personality with a specific psychotherapeutic approach (i.e. SB-APP) seemed to be more effective than STM alone.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT1356069">NCT1356069</a></p

The relationship between expected engagement and talking therapy outcome

The aim of the study was to investigate whether client-reported expected engagement with therapy predicted therapy outcome. It was hypothesized that higher expected engagement with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or person-centred experiential therapy (PCET) would predict more symptomatic improvement following therapy and higher likelihood of therapy completion. The Sheffield Expected Engagement with Therapy Scale was administered to 96 clients at pre-therapy assessment with all meeting a diagnosis of moderate or severe depression with 53 receiving CBT and 43 receiving PCET. Higher expected engagement predicted more symptomatic improvement in CBT but not PCET. Expected engagement only predicted improvement in CBT when clients rated the credibility of CBT as low or moderate. Expected engagement did not predict therapy completion in either therapy. Assessment of expected engagement could be a useful tool in prediction of symptomatic improvement in CBT