Uncovering the Characterisitics of Elementary-Aged Student Engagement

Researchers agree that students who are actively engaged in their own educations have more successful educational experiences. Studies show a connection between engagement and success in all stages of academic growth. However, researchers have made assumptions about the definition of student engagement by defining it through the adult lens. Some research suggests that engagement measured by visible behavior may be measuring only the appearance of engagement, not necessarily active engagement. (Lankshear & Knobel, 2005; Pope, 2001) The purpose of this research was to uncover the characteristics of student engagement from the source: the child. Research has shown that lack of success in the later years of school often stems from disengagement in the early years of formal education

Macrophages respond rapidly to ototoxic injury of lateral line hair cells but are not required for hair cell regeneration

The sensory organs of the inner ear contain resident populations of macrophages, which are recruited to sites of cellular injury. Such macrophages are known to phagocytose the debris of dying cells but the full role of macrophages in otic pathology is not understood. Lateral line neuromasts of zebrafish contain hair cells that are nearly identical to those in the inner ear, and the optical clarity of larval zebrafish permits direct imaging of cellular interactions. In this study, we used larval zebrafish to characterize the response of macrophages to ototoxic injury of lateral line hair cells. Macrophages migrated into neuromasts within 20 min of exposure to the ototoxic antibiotic neomycin. The number of macrophages in the near vicinity of injured neuromasts was similar to that observed near uninjured neuromasts, suggesting that this early inflammatory response was mediated by local macrophages. Upon entering injured neuromasts, macrophages actively phagocytosed hair cell debris. The injury-evoked migration of macrophages was significantly reduced by inhibition of Src-family kinases. Using chemical-genetic ablation of macrophages before the ototoxic injury, we also examined whether macrophages were essential for the initiation of hair cell regeneration. Results revealed only minor differences in hair cell recovery in macrophage-depleted vs. control fish, suggesting that macrophages are not essential for the regeneration of lateral line hair cells

Cisplatin exposure acutely disrupts mitochondrial bioenergetics in the zebrafish lateral-line organ

Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent that causes debilitating high-frequency hearing loss. No targeted therapies currently exist to treat cisplatin ototoxicity, partly because the underlying mechanisms of cisplatin-induced hair cell damage are not completely defined. Zebrafish may offer key insights to cisplatin ototoxicity because their lateral-line organ contains hair cells that are remarkably similar to those within the cochlea but are optically accessible, permitting observation of cisplatin injury in live intact hair cells. In this study, we used a combination of genetically encoded biosensors in zebrafish larvae and fluorescent indicators to characterize changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics in response to cisplatin. Following exposure to cisplatin, confocal imaging of live intact neuromasts demonstrated increased mitochondrial activity. Staining with fixable fluorescent dyes that accumulate in active mitochondria similarly showed hyperpolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. Zebrafish expressing a calcium indicator within their hair cells revealed elevated levels of mitochondrial calcium immediately following completion of cisplatin treatment. A fluorescent ROS indicator demonstrated that these changes in mitochondrial function were associated with increased oxidative stress. After a period of recovery, cisplatin-exposed zebrafish demonstrated caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. Altogether, these findings suggest that cisplatin acutely disrupts mitochondrial bioenergetics and may play a key role in initiating cisplatin ototoxicity

Consumer reactance against loyalty programs

Purpose - Although relationship marketing has developed into the prevailing marketing paradigm, it frequently encounters resistance from the demand side. Both management practitioners and academics indicate that at least some consumers show reactance against loyalty programs, i.e. against tactical instruments of relationship marketing. Nevertheless, relationship marketing has widely neglected reactance theory. This paper attempts to close this gap. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the fundamental principles of loyalty programs and reactance theory the paper presents a set of hypotheses on the determinants and effects of situational consumer reactance against loyalty programs. It tests these hypotheses on the basis of 388 face-to-face interviews with bookstore customers. These interviews include a between-subject manipulation on the reactance effect of economic, social-psychological, and contractual bonding potentials. To test the proposed hypotheses, the paper applies structural equation modeling with PLS. Findings - As expected, contractual bonds provoked reactance effects, while social-psychological bonds neither increased reactance, nor the perceived utility of the program. Economic bonds raised perceived utility up to a certain threshold level, from which the reactance effect dominated thereafter. Practical implications - As a consequence, a cautious and limited application of customer loyalty programs is advisable. The developed consumer reactance scale can help managers to evaluate the effects of planned or implemented customer retention measures. Originality/value - This is the first attempt to investigate situational reactance in a loyalty program setting. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Counteracts Ligand-Independent Activity of the Androgen Receptor in Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer

In order to generate genomic signals, the androgen receptor (AR) has to be transported into the nucleus upon androgenic stimuli. However, there is evidence from in vitro experiments that in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells the AR is able to translocate into the nucleus in a ligand-independent manner. The recent finding that inhibition of the glycogen-synthase-kinase 3β (GSK-3β) induces a rapid nuclear export of the AR in androgen-stimulated prostate cancer cells prompted us to analyze the effects of a GSK-3β inhibition in the castration-resistant LNCaP sublines C4-2 and LNCaP-SSR. Both cell lines exhibit high levels of nuclear AR in the absence of androgenic stimuli. Exposure of these cells to the maleimide SB216763, a potent GSK-3β inhibitor, resulted in a rapid nuclear export of the AR even under androgen-deprived conditions. Moreover, the ability of C4-2 and LNCaP-SSR cells to grow in the absence of androgens was diminished after pharmacological inhibition of GSK-3β in vitro. The ability of SB216763 to modulate AR signalling and function in CRPC in vivo was additionally demonstrated in a modified chick chorioallantoic membrane xenograft assay after systemic delivery of SB216763. Our data suggest that inhibition of GSK-3β helps target the AR for export from the nucleus thereby diminishing the effects of mislocated AR in CRPC cells. Therefore, inhibition of GSK-3β could be an interesting new strategy for the treatment of CRPC

Morbidity and Quality of Life in Bladder Cancer Patients following Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion: A Single-Institution Comparison of Ileal Conduit versus Orthotopic Neobladder

Objective. To evaluate and compare noncontinent and continent urinary diversion after radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer. Methods. A total of 301 patients submitted to radical cystectomy at the Charité-University Hospital Berlin from 1993 to 2007 including 146 with an ileal conduit and 115 with an ileal neobladder. Clinical and pathological data as well as oncological outcome were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Quality of life was analyzed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BLM30 questionnaires. Results. 69.1% and 69.6% of all patients who received an ileal conduit and ileal neobladder, respectively, developed early complications. The two groups differed significantly concerning the occurrence of postoperative ileus (P = 0.02) favoring patients who received an ileal conduit but not with regard to any other early-onset complication evaluated. Patients with ileal neobladder had a significantly better global health status and quality of life (P = 0.02), better physical functioning (P = 0.02), but also a higher rate of diarrhoea (P = 0.004). Conclusion. Cystectomy with any type of diversion remains a complication-prone surgery. Even if the patient groups are not homogeneous in all respects, there are many arguments in favor of the ileal neobladder as the urinary diversion of choice

Evaluation of cisplatin-induced pathology in the larval zebrafish lateral line

Cisplatin is an effective anticancer agent, but also causes permanent hearing loss by damaging hair cells-the sensory receptors essential for hearing. There is an urgent clinical need to protect cochlear hair cells in patients undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy. The zebrafish lateral line organ contains hair cells and has been frequently used in studies to screen for otoprotective compounds. However, these studies have employed a wide range of cisplatin dosages and exposure times. We therefore performed a comprehensive evaluation of cisplatin ototoxicity in the zebrafish lateral line with the goal of producing a standardized, clinically relevant protocol for future studies. To define the dose- and time-response patterns of cisplatin-induced hair-cell death, we treated 6-day-old larvae for 2 h in 50 µM-1 mM cisplatin and allowed them to recover. We observed delayed hair cell death, which peaked at 4-8 h post-exposure. Cisplatin also activated a robust inflammatory response, as determined by macrophage recruitment and phagocytosis of hair cells. However, selective depletion of macrophages did not affect hair cell loss. We also examined the effect of cisplatin treatment on fish behavior and found that cisplatin-induced lateral line injury measurably impaired rheotaxis. Finally, we examined the function of remaining hair cells that appeared resistant to cisplatin treatment. We observed significantly reduced uptake of the cationic dye FM1-43 in these cells relative to untreated controls, indicating that surviving hair cells may be functionally impaired. Cumulatively, these results indicate that relatively brief exposures to cisplatin can produce hair cell damage and delayed hair cell death. Our observations provide guidance on standardizing methods for the use of the zebrafish model in studies of cisplatin ototoxicity

Doctoral Program Design Based on Technology-Based Situated Learning and Mentoring: A Comparison of Part-Time and Full-Time Doctoral Students

Aim/Purpose Most programs are designed with full-time doctoral students\u27 characteristics and needs in mind; few programs consider the unique needs of part-time doctoral students, including time restrictions, experiences during the program, identity development, and different professional aspirations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential differences between part-time and full-time doctoral students in their scholarly development, and how technology may serve as a communication and organization tool for individual and program support. Background Built on the application of communities of practice, information and communication technology, and situated learning theory, this study sought to evaluate the potential differences among full-time and part-time doctoral students associated with their scholarly development in a traditional doctoral program at a large research-intensive university. Methodology This study used independent samples t-test to evaluate the potential differences between part-time and full-time doctoral students in their scholarly development. Data were collected from 98 doctoral students via a survey. This study also employed two hypothetical cases that described the issues and solutions related to the program pursuant to scholarly development, which further illustrated the quantitative results and provided more meaningful discussions and suggestions. Contribution This study provided insights into part-time doctoral students\u27 scholarly development and provided suggestions for designing doctoral programs and differentiated mentoring for both full-time and part-time doctoral students. Further, additional multifaceted mentoring approaches including peer mentoring and e-mentoring were evaluated. Findings Significant differences were found in four aspects of doctoral students\u27 scholarly development: the opportunities to do research related to grants with faculty, support for scholarly work in addition to advisor\u27s support, involvement in the teaching/supervision activities, and goals for scholarly development. Recommendations Program designers, faculty, and especially mentors should appreciate the diffor Practitioners ferences between part-time and full-time doctoral students. Potential program redesigns should include judicious applications of technology as essential components to address limited accessibility and opportunities for part-time students. An Individual Development Plan (IDP) should be used to mentor doctoral students to enhance the effectiveness of mentoring regarding academic goals, actions, and related roles and responsibilities. Recommendations Future research can further evaluate and develop the instrument to better for Researchers measure more domains of doctoral students\u27 scholarly development. Additionally, qualitative methods may be used to further provide the emic description of the process of part-time students\u27 engagement with the program, mentors, and peers. Impact on Society With consideration of the unique needs of part-time students and the application of technology-based learning community, opportunities are provided for mentors and doctoral students to engage in scholarship and develop a sense of belonging to their doctoral program. Future Research Future research can examine the differences between male and female doctoral students, different race groups, and disciplines

Planeamiento tributario y su relación en la determinación del impuesto a la renta en la empresa ERBA EIRL, Tarapoto, 2018

La investigación titulada: Planeamiento tributario y su relación en la determinación del impuesto a la renta en la empresa ERBA EIRL, Tarapoto, 2018; tuvo como objetivo general evaluar la relación del planeamiento tributario y la determinación del impuesto a la renta en la empresa ERBA EIRL, Tarapoto, 2018. El tipo de estudio fue básico y diseño no experimental, la muestra estuvo constituida por el gerente general y contador de la empresa, las técnicas de recolección de datos fueron la entrevista, observación y análisis documental. Los resultados dan la existencia de un bajo cumplimiento de actividades relacionadas a llevar un correcto planeamiento tributario en un 83%; además el que se realizó fue inadecuado, la empresa al no presentar un correcto planeamiento sumo un resultado de S/. 7,874.00 según los ingresos registrados; sin embargo, al llevar un adecuado planeamiento tributario incurrió a un resultado de S/. 5,249.00 de impuesto. Se concluye que existe una relación indirecta y significativa entre el planteamiento tributario y la determinación del impuesto a la renta, esto comprueba que a mayor planeamiento tributario menor será el impuesto a pagar, en la empresa ERBA EIRL, Tarapoto