The mediating roles of workplace support and ethical work environment in associations between leadership and moral distress:a longitudinal study of Canadian health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in heightened moral distress among health care workers (HCWs) worldwide. Past research has shown that effective leadership may mitigate potential for the development of moral distress. However, no research to date has considered the mechanisms by which leadership might have an influence on moral distress. We sought to evaluate longitudinally whether Canadian HCWs’ perceptions of workplace support and ethical work environment would mediate associations between leadership and moral distress.Methods: A total of 239 French- and English-speaking Canadian HCWs employed during the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited to participate in a longitudinal online survey. Participants completed measures of organizational and supervisory leadership at baseline and follow-up assessments of workplace support, perceptions of an ethical work environment, and moral distress.Results: Associations between both organizational and supervisory leadership and moral distress were fully mediated by workplace supports and perceptions of an ethical work environment.Discussion: To ensure HCW well-being and quality of care, it is important to ensure that HCWs are provided with adequate workplace supports, including manageable work hours, social support, and recognition for efforts, as well as an ethical workplace environment

Shape abnormalities of caudate nucleus in schizotypal personality disorder

Previously, we reported abnormal volume and global shape in the caudate nucleus in schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). Here, we use a new shape measure which importantly permits local in addition to global shape analysis, as well as local correlations with behavioral measures

The mediating roles of workplace support and ethical work environment in associations between leadership and moral distress: a longitudinal study of Canadian health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in heightened moral distress among health care workers (HCWs) worldwide. Past research has shown that effective leadership may mitigate potential for the development of moral distress. However, no research to date has considered the mechanisms by which leadership might have an influence on moral distress. We sought to evaluate longitudinally whether Canadian HCWs’ perceptions of workplace support and ethical work environment would mediate associations between leadership and moral distress.MethodsA total of 239 French- and English-speaking Canadian HCWs employed during the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited to participate in a longitudinal online survey. Participants completed measures of organizational and supervisory leadership at baseline and follow-up assessments of workplace support, perceptions of an ethical work environment, and moral distress.ResultsAssociations between both organizational and supervisory leadership and moral distress were fully mediated by workplace supports and perceptions of an ethical work environment.DiscussionTo ensure HCW well-being and quality of care, it is important to ensure that HCWs are provided with adequate workplace supports, including manageable work hours, social support, and recognition for efforts, as well as an ethical workplace environment

Detection of genetic variation in Sclerotinia homoeocarpa isolates using RAPD analysis

Sclerotinia homoeocarpa is a common and severe fungal pathogen responsible for dollar spot disease on turfgrasses. The RAPD-PCR technique was used to identify genetic variation among 26 isolates of S. homoeocarpa. DNA polymorphisms were detected among different isolates using 15 oligonucleotide primers and a dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) for cluster analysis. Isolates from different geographical locations in the United States were separable into three distinct groups based on RAPD profiles and the duster analysis. These three groups, however, were dearly more closely related to each other than to the isolate from Belize which was unique compared to the other S. homoeocarpa isolates examined. RAPD profiles suggest that transport of the pathogen from east coast to west coast locations in the U.S.A. may account for the recent identification of the disease in the Pacific Northwest. The results indicate that RAPD-PCR is a valuable method for differentiating isolates of S. homoeocarpa

Transformation of three genera of orchid using the bar gene as a selectable marker

Protocorms or protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of three orchid genera, Brassia, Cattleya, and Doritaenopsis, were genetically transformed via microprojectile bombardment using the bar gene from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. Selection for transformed cells was accomplished using bialaphos. PLBs that proliferated on selection medium containing 1 mg/l bialaphos were minced and transferred to selection medium containing 3 mg/l of the herbicide. This selection was repeated twice at 2-month intervals. Putatively transformed plantlets were regenerated in the absence of bialaphos for Doritaenopsis, or on regeneration medium containing 3 mg/l bialaphos for Brassia and Cattleya. Presence of the bar gene in the transformed plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. Transcription of bar was assessed by northern blot analysis. Plantlets of all three genera exhibited functional expression of bar as determined by assaying for resistance to bialaphos applied directly to leaves