A preliminary exploration of the workplace expectations of Generation Z amidst Covid-19

For the first time in modern history, up to five generations are working side-by-side in the same organizations. The high number of generations working together can cause intergenerational conflict. Generation Z (Gen Z), born after 1995, is significantly different from previous generations due to the cultural realities that have shaped their development. Gen Z has their own attitudes, beliefs, and expectations about the workplace and the centrality of work. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the attitudes, beliefs, values, and expectations about work and toward leadership in the workplace and how those expectations may have been shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic for Gen Z. This study placed a particular focus on Gen Zers from the United States, Canada, and Eastern Europe. This research was rooted in Mannheim’s (1952) problem of generations, Mead’s (1970) generation gap, transformational leadership, and generational theory. Previous generational research has indicated that Gen Z is profoundly different from previous generations due to being digital natives. This study drew 15 participants from six countries who were seniors at Consortium of Christian College and Universities (CCCU) institutions. Each participant was interviewed over Zoom and asked to describe their expectations for their ideal workplace and ideal supervisor while also asking questions about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research findings indicated that participants seek to be treated as worthy of dignity in their work and desire to be respected as having a life outside of work. Findings showed that Gen Z is particularly drawn to leaders who exhibit humble and vulnerable leadership. Gen Z is concerned about mental health and wellbeing and places a high priority on being respected. Those who supervise Gen Z would benefit from learning more about the workplace expectations of Gen Z so they can lead them most effectively. Recommendations for further research include expanding this research once Gen Z has had more years of experience in the workforce and extending the number of countries from which study participants are drawn

ELUCIDATION OF KEY MEDIATORS OF TUMOUR CELL MIGRATION USING AN IN VIVO INHIBITORY RNA SCREEN

Metastatic disease, or the migration of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant locations in the body, contributes to over 90% of cancer mortalities. Migration is a requirement of metastasis and involves the detachment of cancer cells from the primary tumour in vivo, followed by invasion of the cell into the surrounding stromal tissue. Tumour cells that are migration-deficient are incapable of detaching from the primary tumour and exhibit compact phenotypes in the chicken embryo model. Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that mediators of migration could be identified using an RNAi genomic library and screening for compact tumour phenotypes in the chicken embryo model. It was also postulated that knockdown of two proteins known to be involved in migration, rhoA and cortactin, would prevent migration of human epidermoid carcinoma (HEp3) cells in vivo, serving as a positive control and proof-of-principle for the RNAi screen. Results of this study identify rhoA and cortactin as positive regulators of migration, both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrate the feasibility of the RNAi screen. Furthermore, execution of an RNAi screen, covering 5000 human genes, identified three novel mediators of tumour cell migration: MESCD1, KIF3B and ARHGAP12

Multienergy vector modelling of a Scottish energy system : transitions and technology implications

The Scottish Government's commitment for 100% of electricity consumed in Scotland to be from renewable, zero-carbon sources by 2020 continues to drive change in the energy system alongside European and UK targets. The growth of renewables in Scotland is being seen at many scales including industrial, domestic and community generation. In these latter two cases a transition from the current 'top down' energy distribution system to a newer approach is emerging. The work of this paper will look at a 'bottom up' view that sees community led distributed energy at its centre. This paper uses the modelling tool HESA to investigate high penetrations of Distributed Generation (DG) in the Angus Region of Scotland. Installations of DG will follow Thousand Flowers transition pathway trajectory which sees more than 50% of electricity demand being supplied by DG by 2050. From this, insights around the technological and socio-political feasibility, consequences and implications of high penetrations of DG in the UK energy system are presented. Results demonstrate the influence that system change will have on regional and local emission levels under four separate scenarios. It is shown that the penetration of DG requires supplementary installations of reliable and long term storage alongside utilisation of transmission and transportation infrastructures to maximise the potential of distributed generation and maximise whole system benefits. Importantly, there must be a level of coordination and support to realise a shift to a highly distributed energy future to ensure there is a strong economic case with a reliable policy backing

Utility of accelerometers to measure physical activity in children attending an obesity treatment intervention

Objectives. To investigate the use of accelerometers to monitor change in physical activity in a childhood obesity treatment intervention. Methods. 28 children aged 7–13 taking part in “Families for Health” were asked to wear an accelerometer (Actigraph) for 7-days, and complete an accompanying activity diary, at baseline, 3-months and 9-months. Interviews with 12 parents asked about research measurements. Results. Over 90% of children provided 4 days of accelerometer data, and around half of children provided 7 days. Adequately completed diaries were collected from 60% of children. Children partake in a wide range of physical activity which uniaxial monitors may undermonitor (cycling, nonmotorised scootering) or overmonitor (trampolining). Two different cutoffs (4 METS or 3200 counts⋅min-1) for minutes spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) yielded very different results, although reached the same conclusion regarding a lack of change in MVPA after the intervention. Some children were unwilling to wear accelerometers at school and during sport because they felt they put them at risk of stigma and bullying. Conclusion. Accelerometers are acceptable to a majority of children, although their use at school is problematic for some, but they may underestimate children's physical activity