Personality, personnel selection, and job performance

Job Performance: The term job performance can either refer to the objective or subjective outcomes one achieves in a specific job (e.g., the profit of a sales persons, the number of publications of a scientist, the number of successful operations of a surgeon) or to work-related activities (e.g., writing an article, conducting specific surgical acts). In the majority of research on this topic, job performance as an outcome is used. Personnel selection: Personnel selection refers to the process of selecting the best employees for specific jobs. Introduction One major application of personality research is in the area of personnel selection. The key question in this area is to which extent personality can predict how well a candidate will perform on the job he or she is applying for. Most scholars in this area acknowledge that personality has predictive validity for job performance. In line with this, personality assessment is part of the selection procedure in many organizations

An integrated drug repurposing strategy for the rapid identification of potential SARS-CoV-2 viral inhibitors

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus has rapidly spread in humans, causing the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Recent studies have shown that, similarly to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 utilises the Spike glycoprotein on the envelope to recognise and bind the human receptor ACE2. This event initiates the fusion of viral and host cell membranes and then the viral entry into the host cell. Despite several ongoing clinical studies, there are currently no approved vaccines or drugs that specifically target SARS-CoV-2. Until an effective vaccine is available, repurposing FDA approved drugs could significantly shorten the time and reduce the cost compared to de novo drug discovery. In this study we attempted to overcome the limitation of in silico virtual screening by applying a robust in silico drug repurposing strategy. We combined and integrated docking simulations, with molecular dynamics (MD), Supervised MD (SuMD) and Steered MD (SMD) simulations to identify a Spike protein – ACE2 interaction inhibitor. Our data showed that Simeprevir and Lumacaftor bind the receptor-binding domain of the Spike protein with high affinity and prevent ACE2 interaction

Research On and Activities For Mathematically Gifted Students

This Topical Survey offers a brief overview of the current state of research on and activities for mathematically gifted students around the world. This is of interest to a broad readership, including educational researchers, research mathematicians, mathematics teachers, teacher educators, curriculum designers, doctoral students, and other stakeholders. It first discusses research concerning the nature of mathematical giftedness, including theoretical frameworks and methodologies that are helpful in identifying and/or creating mathematically gifted students, which is described in this section. It also focuses on research on and the development of mathematical talent and innovation in students, including connections between cognitive, social and affective aspects of mathematically gifted students. Exemplary teaching and learning practices, curricula and a variety of programs that contribute to the development of mathematical talent, gifts, and passion are described as well as the pedagogy and mathematics content suitable for educating pre-service and in-service teachers of mathematically gifted students. The final section provides a brief summary of the paper along with suggestions for the research, activities, and resources that should be available to support mathematically gifted students and their teachers, parents, and other stakeholders

The role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumours of 6 cm or greater

<b>Background</b><br /> Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has been shown to reduce hospital stay and morbidity when compared to open adrenalectomy (OA). It is uncertain if the laparoscopic resection of large (≥6 cm) potentially malignant adrenal tumours is appropriate due to concern over incomplete resection and local recurrence. The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of LA for tumours ≥6 cm with those &lt; 6 cm.<p></p> <b>Methods</b><br /> Details of all patients referred with adrenal tumours between January 1999 and January 2006 had been recorded prospectively on a database. LA was performed using a lateral transabdominal approach. Contraindications to LA were local invasion requiring en bloc resection of adjacent organs or the requirement of additional open procedures. <p></p> <b>Results</b><br /> 103 patients were referred for adrenal resection. Three with metastatic adrenal carcinoma and two with severe cardiorespiratory disease were deemed unsuitable for operation. One hundred and eleven adrenalectomies were performed: 101 LAs and 10 OAs. Thirty-nine LA were for tumours ≥6 cm while nine OA were for tumours ≥6 cm. There were no significant differences between the median total anaesthetic time, postoperative complications or postoperative stay for patients undergoing LA for tumours ≥6 cm versus tumours &lt;6 cm. Of the six conversions, five were performed for adrenal tumours ≥6 cm [local invasion (n = 3), adhesions (n = 1), primary renal carcinoma (n = 1)]. All tumours in the LA group were resected with clear margins and at a median follow up of 50 months (range 38–74 months). There has been no evidence of local recurrence. <p></p> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> In the absence of local invasion, the outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for patients with tumours ≥6 cm were comparable to those with tumours &lt;6 cm. This has helped confirm a policy of initial laparoscopic resection for all noninvasive adrenal tumours can be applied safely. <p></p

Intraoperative complications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy

A laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic access to the adrenal gland is the standard of care for adrenalectomy in most cases. Although in laparoscopic adrenalectomy the approach is minimally invasive, the procedure is challenging. This is reflected in the scope of possible complications. The surgeon must consider complications related to the anatomical topography of the adrenal gland, which typically encompasses the complications known from open surgery and complications related to the minimal invasive access. In this topic paper we will address the most frequently encountered complications of adrenalectomy: vascular injuries, injuries of the bowel, pleural tears, and injuries to the liver, spleen and pancreas. Fortunately, these complications occur rarely. However, many of these complications can have devastating consequences. Therefore, it's the surgeon's obligation to be aware of the possible complications he might encounter during laparoscopic adrenalectomy. This awareness is essential for their prevention and it helps the laparoscopic surgeon to identify complications intraoperatively