A Demands and Resources Approach to Understanding Faculty Turnover Intentions Due to Work–Family Balance

Using data collected on tenure-line faculty at a research-intensive Midwestern university, this study explored predictors of faculty job turnover intentions due to a desire for a better work–family balance. We adopted Voydanoff’s theoretical framework and included demands and resources both within and spanning across the work and family domains. Results showed that work-related demands and resources were much stronger predictors of work–family turnover intentions than family-related demands or resources. Specifically, work-to-family negative spillover was positively associated with work–family turnover intentions, and two work-related resources (job satisfaction and supportive work–family culture) were negatively associated with work–family turnover intentions. On the other hand, family-related demands and resources (within the family domain or boundary-spanning from family to work) did not significantly predict work–family turnover intentions

Workplace Faculty Friendships and Work-Family Culture

Although various work-family policies are available to faculty members, many underuse these policies due to concerns about negative career consequences. Therefore, we believe it is important to develop an academic work culture that is more supportive of work-family needs. Using network data gathered from faculty members at a Midwestern university, this study investigated the relationship between friendship connections with colleagues and perceived work-family supportiveness in the department. It also explored the role of parental status in the relationship for men and women. Results show that faculty with larger friendship networks have more positive perceptions of work-family culture compared to faculty with smaller friendship networks, for all faculty except women without children

Robotics in Dentistry : A Narrative Review

Background: Robotics is progressing rapidly. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the basic and applied research status of robotics in dentistry and discusses its development and application prospects in several major professional fields of dentistry. Methods: A literature search was conducted on databases: MEDLINE, IEEE and Cochrane Library, using MeSH terms: [“robotics” and “dentistry”]. Result: Forty-nine articles were eventually selected according to certain inclusion criteria. There were 12 studies on prosthodontics, reaching 24%; 11 studies were on dental implantology, accounting for 23%. Scholars from China published the most articles, followed by Japan and the United States. The number of articles published between 2011 and 2015 was the largest. Conclusions: With the advancement of science and technology, the applications of robots in dental medicine has promoted the development of intelligent, precise, and minimally invasive dental treatments. Currently, robots are used in basic and applied research in various specialized fields of dentistry. Automatic tooth-crown-preparation robots, tooth-arrangement robots, drilling robots, and orthodontic archwire-bending robots that meet clinical requirements have been developed. We believe that in the near future, robots will change the existing dental treatment model and guide new directions for further development

A Comparison of Full and Quasi Filters for Autobiographical Questions

Some survey questions do not apply to all respondents. How to design these questions for both eligible and ineligible respondents is unclear. This article compares full filter (FF) and quasi filter (QF) designs for autobiographical questions in mail surveys. Using data from National Health, Wellbeing, and Perspectives Study, we examine the effect of type of filter on item nonresponse rates, response errors, and response distributions. We find that QF questions are more confusing to respondents, resulting in higher rates of item nonresponse and response errors than FF questions. Additionally, FF questions more successfully identify ineligible respondents, bringing estimates closer to national benchmarks. We recommend that survey designers use FF designs rather than QF designs for autobiographical questions in mail surveys

ニッケルアレルギー惹起相におけるセマフォリン７Aの効果

Background: Metal allergy is caused by many factors, including cells, cytokines, chemokines, or the environment. Recent studies suggested semaphorin7A (Sema7A), expressed on activated T cells, is crucial to produce inflammation through α1β1 integrin on monocytes and macrophages. However, the role of Sema7A on keratinocytes in metal allergy is still unclear. In this study, we focused on keratinocytes since they are known as an important player for skin immunity, and analyzed the effect of Sema7A expressed on keratinocytes in the development of metal allergy. Materials and Methods: Mouse keratinocyte line PAM2.12 cells were treated with NiCl2 to analyze the expression of Sema7A. Ni allergy was induced in female C57BL/6J mice (6-8 weeks old) with or without Sema7A suppression to confirm if Sema7A is necessary to produce allergic reactions to NiCl2. Results: NiCl2 enhanced the expression of Sema7A in a dose and time-dependent manner after 72 hours of stimulation. PAM 2.12 produced TNF-α in response to NiCl2, and this secretion was reduced by Sema7A inhibition. In a mouse model, ear thickness, at 48 hours after NiCl2 injection, was significantly decreased by Sema7A siRNA administration. Conclusions: Sema7A is essential to produce an allergic reaction to NiCl2, especially during the effector phase. Since the interaction between Sema7A and α1β1 integrin enhances inflammation in many skin diseases, this interaction may also have possibilities to be a therapeutic target for metal allergy

Semaphorin 3A : A potential target for prevention and treatment of nickel allergy

Metal allergy is one of the typical immune disorders encountered during the application of dental/medical materials and has a highly complex pathogenic mechanism. Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), a member of the semaphorin family, is reported to be involved in various immune disorders. However, its role in metal allergy has not been clarified yet. Herein, we show that Sema3A expression was upregulated in nickel (Ni) allergy-induced mouse ear tissue and in NiCl2-stimulated mouse keratinocytes. Moreover, Sema3A regulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in keratinocytes. The specific deletion of Sema3A in keratinocytes did not affect immune cell infiltration but reduced edema and ear swelling; it also impeded Th1 responses to cause a slight alleviation in Ni allergy in mice. Our results demonstrate that Sema3A promotes the development of metal allergy and should be explored as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of metal allergy

Protective Effects of Japanese Soybean Paste (Miso) on Stroke in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRSP)

[BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS] Soybean isoflavones have been shown to reduce the risk of cerebral infarction in humans according to epidemiological studies. However, whether intake of miso can reduce the incidence of stroke in animal models remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of soybean paste (miso) in an animal model of stroke. [METHODS] Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were fed a miso diet (normal diet 90%, miso 10%; final NaCl content 2.8%), a high salt diet (normal diet and NaCl 2.5%; final NaCl content 2.8%), or a low salt diet (normal diet; final NaCl content 0.3%). [RESULTS] Kaplan–Meier survival curves revealed a significantly lower survival rate in the high salt group compared to the miso group (P = 0.002) and the low salt group (P ≤ 0.001). Large hemorrhagic macules were found in the cerebrum in the high salt group, whereas none were found in the other 2 groups. There were also fewer histological and immunohistochemical changes in the brain and kidneys in the miso group compared to the high salt group. [CONCLUSION] Our results suggest that miso may have protective effects against stroke despite its high salt content.This work was supported by a grant-in-aid from the Central Miso Institute, Tokyo, Japa

A complete dietary review of Japanese birds with special focus on molluscs

Birds often hold important positions in the food webs of ecosystems. As a result, interactions between birds and their prey have attracted attention not only in ecology, but also in fields like agriculture and conservation. Avian food resources are well researched in Japan, however there is no database critically reviewing molluscs as a food resource for birds. Here, we present a new database reviewing dietary information for all Japanese bird species. In addition to addressing general diet categories and specific food habits for each bird, we include detailed data on the molluscan prey observed for all species that consume them. The information within this database was collected through intense literary review to provide a complete look at bird species historically present around the country. We also include new information on snail species found in the upper digestive tract of harvested wild birds. This database is publicly available in the Zenodo repository. The information should aid research around the Japanese archipelago, especially projects involving birds or molluscs