Personality and Work Success among Expatriate Educational Leaders in the United Arab Emirates

Few studies have examined expatriate leadership in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where expatriates make up the majority of higher education leaders. Such leaders need to be able to effectively interact with diverse colleagues despite possibly limited prior international experience and understanding of cultural differences. Such challenges can be seen to increase employee turnover, which challenges the success of Emirati higher education. This essay examines the impact of emotional intelligence, hardiness, and openness on self-reported probability of finishing contract and contract renewal of expatriate leaders in higher education in the UAE. The research can contribute to an improvement in the educational services in the UAE, and other Middle Eastern countries which feature high rates of employment of expatriate workers in higher education.published_or_final_versio

Kinetic simulations of X-B and O-X-B mode conversion

We have performed fully-kinetic simulations of X-B and O-X-B mode conversion in one and two dimensional setups using the PIC code EPOCH. We have recovered the linear dispersion relation for electron Bernstein waves by employing relatively low amplitude incoming waves. The setups presented here can be used to study non-linear regimes of X-B and O-X-B mode conversion.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Continuous renal replacement therapy: current practice in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units

BACKGROUND: Large multicentre studies of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in critically ill patients may influence its bedside prescription and practical application. Despite this, many aspects of CRRT may not be informed by evidence but remain a product of clinician preference. Little was known about current CRRT practice in Australia and New Zealand and it is not known if the evidence from recent studies has been integrated into practice. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective online survey of CRRT practice was sent to intensive care unit medical and nursing clinicians via three national databases in Australian and New Zealand ICUs in December 2013 to March 2014. RESULTS: There were 194 respondents from 106 ICUs; 49 ICUs (47%) were in tertiary metropolitan hospitals. One hundred and two respondents (54%) reported continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration as the most common CRRT technique, with a combination of predilution and postdilution of CRRT solutions. The prescription for CRRT was variable, with respondents indicating preferences for therapy based on L/hour (53%) or a weight-adjusted treatment in mL/kg/hour (47%). For all modes of CRRT, the common blood flow rates applied were 151-200mL/ minute and 201-250mL/minute. Few respondents reported preferring flow rates < 150 mL/minute or > 300mL/minute. Unfractionated heparin was the most commonly used anticoagulant (83%), followed by regional citrate. Femoral vein vascular access was preferred and, typically, a 20 cm length catheter was used. Bard Niagara and Arrow catheters were most frequently used. The Gambro Prismaflex was the dominant machine used (71%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide insight into existing clinical management of CRRT. There is considerable variation in the prescription of CRRT in Australian and New Zealand ICUs

Faster Blood Flow Rate Does Not Improve Circuit Life in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: To determine whether blood flow rate influences circuit life in continuous renal replacement therapy. Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: Single center tertiary level ICU. Patients: Critically ill adults requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive one of two blood flow rates: 150 or 250 mL/min. Measurements and Main Results: The primary outcome was circuit life measured in hours. Circuit and patient data were collected until each circuit clotted or was ceased electively for nonclotting reasons. Data for clotted circuits are presented as median (interquartile range) and compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Survival probability for clotted circuits was compared using log-rank test. Circuit clotting data were analyzed for repeated events using hazards ratio. One hundred patients were randomized with 96 completing the study (150 mL/min, n = 49; 250 mL/min, n = 47) using 462 circuits (245 run at 150 mL/min and 217 run at 250 mL/min). Median circuit life for first circuit (clotted) was similar for both groups (150 mL/min: 9.1 hr [5.5–26 hr] vs 10 hr [4.2–17 hr]; p = 0.37). Continuous renal replacement therapy using blood flow rate set at 250 mL/min was not more likely to cause clotting compared with 150 mL/min (hazards ratio, 1.00 [0.60–1.69]; p = 0.68). Gender, body mass index, weight, vascular access type, length, site, and mode of continuous renal replacement therapy or international normalized ratio had no effect on clotting risk. Continuous renal replacement therapy without anticoagulation was more likely to cause clotting compared with use of heparin strategies (hazards ratio, 1.62; p = 0.003). Longer activated partial thromboplastin time (hazards ratio, 0.98; p = 0.002) and decreased platelet count (hazards ratio, 1.19; p = 0.03) were associated with a reduced likelihood of circuit clotting. Conclusions: There was no difference in circuit life whether using blood flow rates of 250 or 150 mL/min during continuous renal replacement therapy

Recurrent pancreatitis after partial ileal bypass for hyperlipidaemia : a case report

CITATION: Du Toit, D. F., Knott-Craig, C. & Laker, L. 1985. Recurrent pancreatitis after partial ileal bypass for hyperlipidaemia : a case report. South African Medical Journal, 68:483-484.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaThe case of a 28-year-old man with alcohol-induced bouts of recurrent acute pancreatitis after a partial ileal bypass performed for hyperlipidaemia is presented. Serial computed tomography proved valuable for assessing the resolution of the pancreatic mass. Peripheral parenteral hyperalimentation for 6 weeks had a beneficial effect on the course of the pancreatitis and proved to be useful for nutritional support.Publisher’s versio

Spaceborne P-Band MIMO SAR for Planetary Applications

The Space Exploration Synthetic Aperture Radar (SESAR) is an advanced P-band beamforming radar instrument concept to enable a new class of observations suitable to meet Decadal Survey science goals for planetary exploration. The radar operates at full polarimetry and fine (meter scale) resolution, and achieves beam agility through programmable waveform generation and digital beamforming. The radar architecture employs a novel low power, lightweight design approach to meet stringent planetary instrument requirements. This instrument concept has the potential to provide unprecedented surface and near-subsurface measurements applicable to multiple Decadal Survey Science Goals

\'n Filosofiese besinning oor die vroulike en vroulikheid van die godheid

A philosophical discussion of the feminine and femininity of the divine: This article considers the importance of the feminine of the divine (or ‘the goddess\') from the perspective of a philosophy of sexual difference, as the latter is proposed mainly by French feminist philosopher, Luce Irigaray. The article considers why we have lost the feminine of the divine, why she is making a comeback, and the strongest reasons – philosophically speaking – for retrieving some of those elements for the sake of the world and humanity today. HTS Theological Studies Vol. 64 (2) 2008: pp. 977-100

Evaluation of Urea and Creatinine change during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: Effect of blood flow rate

OBJECTIVE: To determine if faster blood flow rate (BFR) has an effect on solute maintenance in continuous renal replacement therapy. DESIGN: Prospective randomised controlled trial. SETTING: 24-bed, single centre, tertiary level intensive care unit. PARTICIPANTS: Critically ill adults requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomised to receive one of two BFRs: 150 mL/min or 250 mL/min. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in urea and creatinine concentrations (percentage change from baseline) and delivered treatment for each 12-hour period were used to assess solute maintenance. RESULTS: 100 patients were randomised, with 96 completing the study (49 patients, 150 mL/min; 47 patients, 250 mL/min). There were a total of 854 12-hour periods (421 periods, 150 mL/min; 433 periods, 250 mL/ min). Mean hours of treatment per 12 hours was 6.3 hours (standard deviation [SD], 3.7) in the 150 mL/min group, and 6.7 hours (SD, 3.9) in the 250 mL/min group (P = 0.6). There was no difference between the two BFR groups for change in mean urea concentration (150 mL/min group, –0.06%; SD, 0.015; v 250 mL/min group, –0.07%; SD, 0.01; P = 0.42) or change in mean creatinine concentration (150 mL/min, –0.05%; SD, 0.01; v 250 mL/min, –0.08%; SD, 0.01; P = 0.18). Independent variables associated with a reduced percentage change in mean serum urea and creatinine concentrations were low haemoglobin levels (–0.01%; SD, 0.005; P = 0.002; and 0.01%; SD, 0.005; P = 0.006, respectively) and less hours treated (–0.023%; SD, 0.001; P = 0.000; and –0.02%; SD, 0.002; P = 0.001, respectively). No effect for bodyweight was found. CONCLUSIONS: Faster BFR did not affect solute control in patients receiving CRRT; however, differences in urea and creatinine concentrations were influenced by serum haemoglobin and hours of treatment