Factors that Impact Career Development in Virtual Environments

The number of women in senior leadership positions compared to men in the same roles is significantly lower despite efforts in recent decades to reach equal status (Travis et al., 2013). Career development activities such as mentoring programs are helpful for employees trying to advance their career; however, sponsorship is a more effective method for women to be promoted (Travis et al., 2013). This thesis examines how financial institutions can incorporate sponsorship activities during times of crisis. This research focuses on the COVID-19 as crisis moving many employees into a virtual environment for day-to-day work and career development activities. I interviewed six individuals who actively participate in career development programs within their organization to gain better understanding of their experiences. I identified several recommended best practices for organizations to follow during times of crisis such as COVID-19 and virtual working environments to best incorporate sponsorship into their institutions

Platelet lysate-derived neuropeptide y influences migration and angiogenesis of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a powerful neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, is a key regulator of angiogenesis and biology of adipose depots. Intriguingly, its peripheral vascular and angiogenic powerful activity is strictly associated to platelets, which are source of clinical hemoderivates, such as platelet lysate (PL), routinely employed in several clinical applications as wound healing, and to preserve ex vivo the progenitor properties of the adipose stromal cells pool. So far, the presence of NPY in PL and its biological effects on the adipose stromal cell fraction (ASCs) have never been investigated. Here, we aimed to identify endogenous sources of NPY such as PL-based preparations and to investigate which biological properties PL-derived NPY is able to exert on ASCs. The results show that PL contains a high amount of NPY, which is in part also excreted by ASCs when stimulated with PL. The protein levels of the three main NPY subtype receptors (Y1, Y2, Y5) are unaltered by stimulation of ASCs with PL, but their inhibition through selective pharmacological antagonists, considerably enhances migration, and a parallel reduction of angiogenic features of ASCs including decrease in VEGF mRNA and intracellular calcium levels, both downstream targets of NPY. The expression of VEGF and NPY is enhanced within the sites of neovascularisation of difficult wounds in patients after treatment with leuco-platelet concentrates. Our data highlight the presence of NPY in PL preparations and its peripheral effects on adipose progenitors

Factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults:the APPCARE study

Background: Falls are a leading cause of disability. Previous studies have identified various risk factors for falls. However, contemporary novel research is needed to explore these and other factors associated with falls among a diverse older adult population. This study aims to identify the factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the ‘Appropriate care paths for frail elderly people: a comprehensive model’ (APPCARE) study were analyzed. The study sample consisted of hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults. Falling was assessed by asking whether the participant had fallen within the last 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between socio-demographic characteristics, potential fall risk factors and falls. Results: The sample included 113 hospitalized (mean age = 84.2 years; 58% female) and 777 community-dwelling (mean age = 77.8 years; 49% female) older adults. Among hospitalized older adults, loneliness was associated with an increased risk of falls. Associations between female sex, secondary education lever or lower, multimorbidity, a higher score on limitations with activities of daily living (ADL), high risk of malnutrition and falling were found among community-dwelling participants. Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the multi-factorial nature of falling and the complex interaction of risk factors. Future fall prevention programs could be tailored to the needs of vulnerable subpopulations at high risk for falls.</p

Nutrient Loading Fosters Seagrass Productivity under Ocean Acidification

The effects of climate change are likely to be dependent on local settings. Nonetheless, the compounded effects of global and regional stressors remain poorly understood. Here, we used CO2vents to assess how the effects of ocean acidification on the seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, and the associated epiphytic community can be modified by enhanced nutrient loading. P. oceanica at ambient and low pH sites was exposed to three nutrient levels for 16 months. The response of P. oceanica to experimental conditions was assessed by combining analyses of gene expression, plant growth, photosynthetic pigments and epiphyte loading. At low pH, nutrient addition fostered plant growth and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Overexpression of nitrogen transporter genes following nutrient additions at low pH suggests enhanced nutrient uptake by the plant. In addition, enhanced nutrient levels reduced the expression of selected antioxidant genes in plants exposed to low pH and increased epiphyte cover at both ambient and low pH. Our results show that the effects of ocean acidification on P. oceanica depend upon local nutrient concentration. More generally, our findings suggest that taking into account local environmental settings will be crucial to advance our understanding of the effects of global stressors on marine systems

Factors associated with health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults:the APPCARE study

This study aimed to identify the factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among community-dwelling older adults. Physical and mental HRQOL were measured by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) at baseline and follow-up. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between socio-demographic, health, and lifestyle factors and HRQOL. The sample included 661 participants (mean age = 77.4 years). Frailty was negatively associated with physical HRQOL (B = − 5.56; P &lt; 0.001) and mental HRQOL (B = − 6.65; P &lt; 0.001). Participants with a higher score on activities of daily living (ADL) limitations had lower physical HRQOL (B = − 0.63; P &lt; 0.001) and mental HRQOL (B = − 0.18; P = 0.001). Female sex (B = − 2.38; P &lt; 0.001), multi-morbidity (B = − 2.59; P = 0.001), and a high risk of medication-related problems (B = − 2.84; P &lt; 0.001) were associated with lower physical HRQOL, and loneliness (B = − 3.64; P &lt; 0.001) with lower mental HRQOL. In contrast, higher age (B = 2.07; P = 0.011) and living alone (B = 3.43; P &lt; 0.001) were associated with better mental HRQOL in the multivariate models. Future interventions could be tailored to subpopulations with relatively poor self-reported HRQOL, such as frail or lonely older adults to improve their HRQOL.</p

Factors associated with health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults:the APPCARE study

This study aimed to identify the factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among community-dwelling older adults. Physical and mental HRQOL were measured by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) at baseline and follow-up. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between socio-demographic, health, and lifestyle factors and HRQOL. The sample included 661 participants (mean age = 77.4 years). Frailty was negatively associated with physical HRQOL (B = − 5.56; P &lt; 0.001) and mental HRQOL (B = − 6.65; P &lt; 0.001). Participants with a higher score on activities of daily living (ADL) limitations had lower physical HRQOL (B = − 0.63; P &lt; 0.001) and mental HRQOL (B = − 0.18; P = 0.001). Female sex (B = − 2.38; P &lt; 0.001), multi-morbidity (B = − 2.59; P = 0.001), and a high risk of medication-related problems (B = − 2.84; P &lt; 0.001) were associated with lower physical HRQOL, and loneliness (B = − 3.64; P &lt; 0.001) with lower mental HRQOL. In contrast, higher age (B = 2.07; P = 0.011) and living alone (B = 3.43; P &lt; 0.001) were associated with better mental HRQOL in the multivariate models. Future interventions could be tailored to subpopulations with relatively poor self-reported HRQOL, such as frail or lonely older adults to improve their HRQOL.</p

Genomic DNA isolation from green and brown algae (Caulerpales and Fucales) for microsatellite library construction

A method for isolating high-quality DNA is presented for the green algae Caulerpa sp. (C. racemosa, C. prolifera, and C. taxifolia) and the brown alga Sargassum muticum. These are introduced, and invasive species in Europe, except for the native C. prolifera. Previous methods of extraction, using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide or various commercial kits, were used to isolate genomic DNA but either no DNA or DNA of very low quality was obtained. Genomic libraries were attempted with Caulerpa sp. on three occasions and either the restriction enzyme, the Taq polymerase, or the T4 ligase was inhibited, probably by the large amount of polysaccharides in these algae. The method presented here consists of the rapid isolation of stable nuclei, followed by DNA extraction. Yields of 6-10 μg genomic DNA from 1 g fresh blades were obtained. After genomic DNA was isolated from fresh material, the quality was checked by agarose gel. Quantification of DNA concentration was performed using UV spectrophotometric measurement of the A260/A280 ratio. The DNA was suitable for PCR, cloning, and hybridization. The DNA isolated using this method allowed successful construction of microsatellite libraries for Caulerpa species and S. muticum. The technique is inexpensive and appropriate for the isolation of multiple samples of DNA from a small amount of fresh material. © 2006 by the Phycological Society of America.Peer Reviewe

Computer Aided Detection System for Prediction of the Malaise during Hemodialysis

Monitoring of dialysis sessions is crucial as different stress factors can yield suffering or critical situations. Specialized personnel is usually required for the administration of this medical treatment; nevertheless, subjects whose clinical status can be considered stable require different monitoring strategies when compared with subjects with critical clinical conditions. In this case domiciliary treatment or monitoring can substantially improve the quality of life of patients undergoing dialysis. In this work, we present a Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system for the telemonitoring of patients&apos; clinical parameters. The CAD was mainly designed to predict the insurgence of critical events; it consisted of two Random Forest (RF) classifiers: the first one (RF 1 ) predicting the onset of any malaise one hour after the treatment start and the second one (RF 2 ) again two hours later. The developed system shows an accurate classification performance in terms of both sensitivity and specificity. The specificity in the identification of nonsymptomatic sessions and the sensitivity in the identification of symptomatic sessions for RF 2 are equal to 86.60% and 71.40%, respectively, thus suggesting the CAD as an effective tool to support expert nephrologists in telemonitoring the patients

Computer Aided Detection System for Prediction of the Malaise during Hemodialysis

Monitoring of dialysis sessions is crucial as different stress factors can yield suffering or critical situations. Specialized personnel is usually required for the administration of this medical treatment; nevertheless, subjects whose clinical status can be considered stable require different monitoring strategies when compared with subjects with critical clinical conditions. In this case domiciliary treatment or monitoring can substantially improve the quality of life of patients undergoing dialysis. In this work, we present a Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system for the telemonitoring of patients’ clinical parameters. The CAD was mainly designed to predict the insurgence of critical events; it consisted of two Random Forest (RF) classifiers: the first one (RF1) predicting the onset of any malaise one hour after the treatment start and the second one (RF2) again two hours later. The developed system shows an accurate classification performance in terms of both sensitivity and specificity. The specificity in the identification of nonsymptomatic sessions and the sensitivity in the identification of symptomatic sessions for RF2 are equal to 86.60% and 71.40%, respectively, thus suggesting the CAD as an effective tool to support expert nephrologists in telemonitoring the patients