Position-specific induction of ectopic limbs in non-regenerating blastemas on axolotl forelimbs.

Ectopic retinoic acid (RA) has been hypothesized to reprogram the positional identity of cells in developing and regenerating limbs to a single positional value corresponding to the posterior-ventral-proximal (PVPr) position on the limb. We tested this hypothesis by using RA to reprogram the information of blastema cells that were induced to form at different positions around the limb circumference. We observed that RA treatment of blastemas in anterior and dorsal locations, but not posterior and ventral locations, resulted in the induction of complete ectopic limbs. These position-specific differences in limb induction are probably due to differences in the positional disparity between the RA-reprogrammed blastema cells and the cells at the periphery of the wound. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that RA treatment reprograms the information in blastema cells to the PVPr position on the limb, since anterior and dorsal positions have the largest disparity and posterior and ventral have the smallest disparity from the PVPr identity

Factors affecting the programme completion of pre-registration nursing students through a three year course: a retrospective cohort study

© 2017 Students who leave pre-registration nurse education having failed to complete remain a concern for higher education institutions. This study identifed factors influencing completion using a retrospective cohort analysis to map student characteristics at entry against Year 3 completion data. The study was set in a nursing faculty in a higher education institution in northern England. Data were collected between 2009 and 2014 with five cohorts of students participating (n = 807). Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the dependent variable Progression Outcome with categories of; completion and non-completion (academic and non-academic reasons). Predictors included cohort, programme, branch, gender, age on entry, ethnic group, disability status, domicile, change of home postcode, change of term-time postcode, entry qualifications, previous experience of caring, and dependents. Age on Entry and Domicile or alternatively Dependents and Domicile emerged as statistically significant (p  <  0.05) in the multivariable analysis. Older students were less likely to be lost from the programme, as were students who lived locally at all times and those with dependents. There is currently little reliable, consistent information on nursing student attrition, progression and completion. This study contributes to the evidence base by identifying some of the factors that may contribute to successful programme completion

Sustainability of Catholic Secondary Schools in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area from 2003–2016

Since 2003, Catholic school enrollment has decreased nationally creating closings, mergers, and consolidation of many Catholic schools. This study sought to understand how a subgroup of Catholic secondary schools managed to navigate the external forces distressing Catholic secondary schools nationally. This study will define what enrollment management practices were used in the Washington, D.C. area that sustained and even grew this subgroup of Catholic secondary schools. This study is vital to Catholic education because it will define what enrollment practices work best, thus, helping Catholic schools globally. This study investigated Catholic secondary schools and secondary school administrators in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area through their enrollment processes and defined the four components of enrollment management. These components—admission management, retention, research, and marketing—are the conceptual basis for the study and the research questions. The findings from this study revealed four themes: promoting community involvement, organizing a team development approach, seeking professional feedback/advice, and increasing focus on public relations. The study will guide professionals in admissions and administration to design the best practices and policies for sustainable schools. Furthermore, the study will broaden collaborative leadership and professional culture in Catholic schools, creating a sustainable school network

Sustainability of Catholic Secondary Schools in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area from 2003–2016

Since 2003, Catholic school enrollment has decreased nationally creating closings, mergers, and consolidation of many Catholic schools. This study sought to understand how a subgroup of Catholic secondary schools managed to navigate the external forces distressing Catholic secondary schools nationally. This study will define what enrollment management practices were used in the Washington, D.C. area that sustained and even grew this subgroup of Catholic secondary schools. This study is vital to Catholic education because it will define what enrollment practices work best, thus, helping Catholic schools globally. This study investigated Catholic secondary schools and secondary school administrators in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area through their enrollment processes and defined the four components of enrollment management. These components—admission management, retention, research, and marketing—are the conceptual basis for the study and the research questions. The findings from this study revealed four themes: promoting community involvement, organizing a team development approach, seeking professional feedback/advice, and increasing focus on public relations. The study will guide professionals in admissions and administration to design the best practices and policies for sustainable schools. Furthermore, the study will broaden collaborative leadership and professional culture in Catholic schools, creating a sustainable school network

The Glomerular Peripolar Cell

The peripolar cell is a recently described glomerular epithelial cell, which may be an additional secretory component of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA). I have described the human peripolar cell. Human peripolar cells were sparse and difficult to find. They were found in 12% of glomeruli on average. They were situated at the vascular pole of the glomerulus, between the visceral and parietal epithelial cells. Peripolar cells contained prominent intracytoplasmic granules, which showed similar staining reactions to the adjacent renin-containing cells of the JGA. However, immunohistochemical studies with an antiserum to human renin, showed that the human peripolar cell does not contain renin. By electron microscopy, the most striking feature was the intracytoplasmic secretory-type granules. Other organelles were sparse, although there were freguently complex membrane invaginations. Peripolar cells formed junctional complexes with adjacent parietal and visceral epithelial cells. Sheep peripolar cells were prominent and easily found. They were present in 64% of glomeruli on average, and were packed with cytoplasmic granules. Peripolar cells were sparse in rat kidneys, being present in only 6% of glomeruli on average. They were similar in appearance to human peripolar cells. Peripolar cells were most numerous in superficial cortical glomeruli, similar to renin-containing cells. In states of hyperplasia, renin-containing cells were also present in juxtamedullary JGA's, but this could not be confirmed for peripolar cells. Using immunohistochemical techniques, I have demonstrated plasma proteins in the granules of human and sheep peripolar cells. I have used a variety of antisera and monoclonal antibodies, but have been unable to demonstrate an immunophenotype specific for peripolar cells. I have examined the reactions of peripolar cells to stimuli, which are known to affect renin-secretion by the JGA. In rats, sodium-depletion or sodium-loading resulted in no alteration in numbers of peripolar cells. I have also examined 11 autopsy cases of Addison's disease, and found that peripolar cells were unaltered despite immunohistochemical evidence of hyperplasia of renin-containing cells. I investigated the response of the peripolar cell to a reduction in renal perfusion pressure by examining the 2-kidney 1-clip model of experimental hypertension in rats, and 10 human nephrectomy specimens with renal artery stenosis. In experimental renovascular hypertension, there was no alteration in numbers of peripolar cells, however in the unclipped kidney other glomerular epithelial cells acquired granules. There was hyperplasia of peripolar cells in a minority of cases of renal artery stenosis, but no significant alteration as a group. There was hyperplasia of renin-containing cells in both rats and humans. I examined 12 autopsy cases of malignant hypertension and found increased numbers of peripolar cells. In addition, other glomerular epithelial cells became granulated and their numbers correlated with peripolar cells. There was hyperplasia of renin-containing cells in some of the cases. Lastly, I investigated the reactions of peripolar cells in human renal disease. I examined 242 renal biopsies affected by 19 different disaeses. Peripolar cells were especially prominent in membranous glomerulonephritis, mesangioproliterative glomerulonephritis, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Other granulated glomerular and tubular epithelial cells were most prominent in different diseases. This suggests that peripolar cells react specifically in certain immune-complex mediated renal diseases

A Comparison of the NZTM and FPS Models of the New Zealand Economy

This paper investigates and compares the dynamic properties of the New Zealand Treasury model (NZTM) and the current version of the Reserve Bank’s Forecasting and Policy System model (FPS). The main use of both two models is to produce macroeconomic forecasts. The NZTM model produces forecasts that are used as an input into the final forecast numbers presented in the Economic and Fiscal Updates. The FPS model is used to produce the published forecasts in the Reserve Bank’s quarterly Monetary Policy Statement. Both models contain a number of judgements around the structure of the economy, the key shocks that impact on the economy, and how the economy evolves in response to these shocks. The paper concludes that one of the main differences between the two models occurs in the impact of a world price shock on the real exchange rate and subsequently on exports and imports. Another key difference is the mechanism through which the net foreign asset position returns towards equilibrium. In FPS, the external balance is partly attained by forward-looking consumers who adjust spending to reach desired wealth positions. In contrast, the real exchange rate is the key mechanism in NZTM for re-establishing equilibrium.New Zealand; NZTM; FPS; Macroeconomic forecasts; Net foreign asset position; forwarding-looking consumers; Real exchange rate

Steering Away From the Arbitration Process: Recognizing State Law Tort Actions for Unionized Employees

When an employer and a labor union negotiate over an employment contract, their agreements are usually set forth in a collective bargaining agreement. The collective bargaining agreement defines the relationship between the employer and the unionized employees and addresses such matters as wages, hours, and other conditions of employment. Additionally, collective bargaining agreements usually include grievance procedures and arbitration clauses to resolve disputes between the employer and the unionized employees