Organizational Culture: A Business Imperative

As the personality of an individual can be seen by his or her characteristics and behaviors, the same concept applies to an organization. The characteristics and unique attributes of an organization are depicted by myriad elements, such as its vision/mission statements, beliefs, values, and areas of focus. From such elements, inference regarding the organization’s culture may be made which impacts leadership style, teamwork and collaboration, workflow and processes, innovation, and employee engagement. This literature review is comprised of information and ideas to enable better understanding of the value and importance these components have on an organization’s success, growth, and sustainability

Why can’t I have a choice of companion during labor? Barriers to implementation of companion presence

Companionship during labor gives comfort and reassurance to laboring women. Couples should experience this pivotal part of life together for its successful accomplishment. They bestow maternal support and ensure psychological wellbeing. However, there are some health care facilities who don’t permit the woman to bring a companion. The common barriers for not allowing companions during labor are: the utilization of traditional methods by companions, improper architectural layout, various ethnicities, and policies of hospitals. Thus, practical and realistic actions should be taken as discussed in the paper. Therefore, a laboring woman can utilize the choice of a companion during labor

Unintentional Injury Related Deaths in USA

Since 1991, unintentional injuries have ranked as the fifth leading cause of death behind heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. As shown in the top graph on the facing page, deaths in the United States are dominated by heart disease and cancer. The next three causes, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, and unintentional injuries, look almost insignificant in comparison. These three causes combined account for fewer deaths than cancer alone. Given this reality, why are organizations like the National Safety Council focused on preventing unintentional injuries

Introduction of the ‘talk’ model of shareddecision making into dental consultation.

Background: In current dental consultations, collaborations and treatment plans may not always be based on the best practice of shared decision making, but rather rest on the traditional paternalistic style of decision making. Aim: The planned organisational development project aims to improve shared decision making by introducing the ‘talk’ model into dental consultation. Rationale: The paternalistic style of decision making can lead to dissatisfaction, compromised consent, and poor patient-centred care. The literature identified shared decision making as central to patient engagement, effective communication and quality of care. Change Process Plan: The Health Service Executive Change Model was utilized as a framework for the systematic planning and future implementation of the planned project. The four stages included are: initiation, planning, implementation, and mainstreaming. This change model is coupled with a consideration of risk management, a supported financial case, a communication plan and a project management plan, so as to ensure a thorough foundation for successful change. Evaluation: Project evaluation included a mixed method approach of informal interviews, questionnaires, and observations. Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluation was employed to evaluate educational aspects of the project. Conclusion: Leading the planning for an organisational development project in healthcare is complex and challenging. The proposed implementation and evaluation of this planned project will enhance the dentist-patient relationship. For the project plan to be successful, it is important to understand the organisation’s vision, culture, and its stakeholders. Finally reflecting and learning strengths and limitations, both at an organisational and individual level are crucial

Perceptions of Grade I teachers and students regarding English language learning motivation

Motivation is a critical factor that can affect the success of L2 learning. Teachers often use different strategies to promote and maintain students\u27 motivation in ESL classrooms, such as using fun and engaging activities, providing clear learning objectives, and offering feedback and praise. However, the perspectives of teachers and students on motivation may not always align. For example, teachers may assume that certain activities or teaching methods are motivating for students, but students may not necessarily feel the same way. In addition, teachers and students may have different expectations, goals, and priorities that can influence their motivation levels.This paper aimed to represent the first graders\u27 teachers’ perceptions of students’ motivation in ESL and students’ perspectives regarding English language learning and instruction, as well as their motivation to learn English as a second language. The following research question was investigated in this study: What are the perceptions of grade one teachers and students pertinent to motivation in learning ESL? A cross-sectional study approach was used to collect quantitative data in the context of two private primary schools of Karachi. The study adopts two survey questionnaires for quantitative research. The teachers’ questionnaire was adapted from Cheng & Dornyei, 2007 study and the pupil’s questionnaire was adapted from Helena Jonsson, 2017. Data were collected from 67 grade 1 students (32 boys and 35 girls) and 58 teachers (54 females and 4 males) who teach English in grade 1 at two private schools in Karachi. To answer the two research questions of the study, both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in SPSS (version, 25). The findings show that teachers play an important role in motivating students. Apparently, teachers value the role they play in motivating their students, and students also believe that this role is important in engaging them in the second language classroom. Moreover, the results revealed that the experienced teachers were more flexible and confident in their teaching style whereas the less experienced teachers are diligent and conscientious in their approach. The study suggests that girls may be more motivated by tasks that are perceived as attainable, while boys may be more motivated by tasks that are perceived as challenging and require more effort.In conclusion, the study underscores the critical role of teachers in motivating first-grade students in ESL classrooms. The alignment between teachers and students regarding the perceived importance of the teacher\u27s motivational role highlights a mutual recognition of its significance. The findings also shed light on the nuanced differences in teaching styles between experienced and less experienced teachers, emphasizing the need for tailored professional development initiatives. Furthermore, the gender-based motivational distinctions suggest the importance of adopting a diversified approach in task design to cater to the preferences of both girls and boys. These implications, spanning teacher development and instructional strategies, provide valuable insights for enhancing motivation in ESL education, ultimately contributing to a more engaging and supportive learning experience for students with diverse backgrounds and learning preferences

Protein Based Modeling of SARS-CoV-2

The SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 outbreak has quickly risen to the most impactful public health crisis of the last century. As research teams across the country are working to identify potential vaccine and pharmaceutical candidates, the importance of identifying suitable proteins against which the human body makes antibodies has become ever more important. A number of proteins have already been identified in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including spike, envelope, and nucleocapsid, however, it remains unknown which of these the human immune system produces antibodies against, aka which would be the most effaceable protein to use in COVID inoculation. We used Gibson assembly to join multiple pieces of plasmid DNA coding for different SARS-CoV-2 proteins and verified the results via DNA sequencing.Biology and Biochemistry, Department ofHonors Colleg

Using CRISPR-Cas9 Applications for ACE2 Knockout in Liver Epithelial Stem Cells and Impact on SARS-CoV-2

The emerging Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a major threat to public health. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 and can be contracted between individuals who are in close contact with one another or by touching a contaminated object. SARS-CoV-2 entry depends on the host cell factors, ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein SARS-CoV-2 and TMPRSS2 is a transmembrane protease that serves as a primer for SARS-CoV-2 entry into the cell. ACE2 is expressed in the human airway epithelium, gastrointestinal cells, and some organs of the digestive system such as the liver. My objective is to knock out ACE2 in liver epithelial stem cells using CRISPR Cas9 technology as a means for preventing the entry of SARS-CoV-2. This process involves using chemical-based transfection in order to insert plasmids with the target gRNA and Cas9 enzyme as well as a GFP reporter that would serve as a marker for cells that have been edited. After transfection, positive selection with GFP reporting signal will be done and it will be followed by DNA analysis through sequencing. From this, we can infect the edited cells with SARS-CoV-2 and assess the effectiveness of the gene knockout on the prevention of COVID-19.Biology and Biochemistry, Department ofHonors Colleg

Utilization of intravascular imaging in elective non chronic total occlusion percutaneous intervention and chronic total occlusion percutaneous intervention: Trends in utilization and impact on in-hospital mortality

Objectives: The objectives of this retrospective study include outcomes associated with and without intravascular imaging in cases of elective single vessel (SV) CTO PCI and in non-CTO PCI. Method: We explored the NIS database from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 to identify 317,090 adult admissions with elective SV PCI. Admissions with STEMI and NSTEMI were excluded to identify elective cases only. Using the ICD 10 diagnosis code for CTO, we identified 33,345 admissions that underwent SV CTO PCI. We classified the remaining cases as SV non-CTO PCI. Results: Intravascular imaging was utilized in 2930 (8.8%) cases in CTO PCI group and 23,710 (8.3%) cases in non-CTO PCI groups. The utilization of intravascular imaging (IVUS/OCT) significantly increased in elective SV CTO PCI, 6.4%–11.2%, p-trend<0.001 and non-CTO PCI group, 7.3%–9.0%, p-trend<0.001. There was no significance difference in mortality with and without intravascular imaging (combined IVUS/OCT vs no IVUS/OCT: 1.5% vs 1.3%, p = 0.195) in the CTO PCI group. But, in non-CTO PCI admissions, there was a significantly lower in-hospital mortality when intravascular imaging was used (0.7% vs 0.8%, p = 0.003). The cost of hospitalization was significantly higher when intravascular imaging was used in elective single vessel CTO PCI admissions, combined IVUS/OCT vs no IVUS/OCT: $27,427 vs$21,452, p < 0.001 and non-CTO PCI admissions, combined IVUS/OCT vs no IVUS/OCT: $23,620 vs$20,272, p < 0.001. Conclusions: In conclusion, despite the cost, intravascular imaging use decrease mortality in non-CTO PCI groups but there is no difference in mortality in CTO PCI groups

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome with arachnodactyly and associated aggressive periodontitis: A rare case report with review of literature

Papillon-Lefevre Syndrome (PLS) is a autosomal recessive genetic disorder. The prevalence of this disorder has been reported to be 1 to 4 per million in the general population. The prime features of PLS include palmar-plantar hyperkeratosis along with premature loss of deciduous and permanent teeth due to aggressive periodontitis. Radiological feature involves severe destruction of alveolar bone giving teeth a typical “floating in air” appearance along with intra-cranial calcifications. Clinical findings of disease specific dermatologic manifestations and periodontal involvement forms the framework of the diagnosis. Clinical significance: As PLS involves severe irreparable destruction of alveolar bone and tooth loss, both dental clinicians and dermatologists opinion is required for both initial and long term management of this disease followed by psychological counselling

Visualization of Brain Shift Corrected Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data for Intraoperative Brain Mapping

Background: Brain tumor surgery requires careful balance between maximizing tumor excision and preserving eloquent cortex. In some cases, the surgeon may opt to perform an awake craniotomy including intraoperative mapping of brain function by direct cortical stimulation (DCS) to assist in surgical decision-making. Preoperatively, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) facilitates planning by identification of eloquent brain areas, helping to guide DCS and other aspects of the surgical plan. However, brain deformation (shift) limits the usefulness of preoperative fMRI during surgery. To address this, an integrated visualization method for fMRI and DCS results is developed that is intuitive for the surgeon. Methods: An image registration pipeline was constructed to display preoperative fMRI data corrected for brain shift overlaid on images of the exposed cortical surface at the beginning and completion of DCS mapping. Preoperative fMRI and DCS data were registered for a range of misalignments, and the residual registration errors were calculated. The pipeline was validated on imaging data from five brain tumor patients who underwent awake craniotomy. Results: Registration errors were well under 5 mm (the approximate spatial resolution of DCS) for misalignments of up to 25 mm and approximately 10–15°. For rotational misalignments up to 20°, the success rate was 95% for an error tolerance of 5 mm. Failures were negligible for rotational misalignments up to 10°. Good quality registrations were observed for all five patients. Conclusions: A proof-of-concept image registration pipeline is presented with acceptable accuracy for intraoperative use, providing multimodality visualization with potential benefits for intraoperative brain mapping. Key words: Awake craniotomy, Brain mapping, Brain tumor resection, Electric stimulation, Functional mapping, Multimodal imaging, Surgical plannin