bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expectancy Theory and its implications for employee motivation
Authors: Mathibe Isaac , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

The significance of employee motivation as the panacea of productivity in organizations is illustrated bythe volumes of literature on motivation and human productivity. For example, social theorists are of theview that employees are motivated by their needs and they develop through and in relationship withothers (Dawson, 1993). The implication of the preceding statement is that when there is synergybetween employees’ needs and organizational needs, they – employees – will be more acquiescent toproductive tendencies than when their needs are not gratified. Invariably, the balancing of employees’labour with their social needs and expectations is necessary in all organizations, and consequentlyVaida (2003) states that incentives are used to reward outstanding performance and to sustainefficiency in work processes. Furthermore, Hoy and Miskel (1991:191) concur that incentives includemoney, power and idyllic investments as well as general incentives that are non-material. However, anover-emphasis on incentives and monetary gain overlooks the fact that people make decisions abouttheir own behaviour. Boje and Rosile (2004) thus conclude that motivation theories – which accentuateincentives more than other motivators – incorporate the death wish since social controlinstrumentalities, valences, and need strengths are manipulated by managers to induce employees’productivity. In addition, the "one shoe fits all" approach of giving incentives may not have the desiredeffect because of the uniqueness of employees’ needs, personalities and behaviour.
An Examination of the Relationship between Empowerment and Organizational Commitment
Authors: Jandaghi Gholamreza , Borghei Reza , Matin Hasan , Dastani Nasrin
Published: February 2023

A rapidly changing environment threatens the survival of many organizations. The global economypropelled by booming regional economies, new media and information technology, universal consumercultures, emerging global standards, and opportunities for corporate cost-sharing, has dramaticallychanged the environment in which organizations exist today (Ohema,1998,p.17). The survival of manyorganizations is threatened, in part, by reluctance to adapt to the changing environment. "Ecology evolutionarytheory suggests that uncertain, volatile environments will support diverse organizationalforms and that the apparent winners will fluctuate from time to time as conditions change" ( Hannan andFreeman, 1989, p.27).
Teacher Expectations and Urban Black Males’ Success in School: Implications for Academic Leaders
Authors: Strayhorn Terrell , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Over 50 years after Brown vs. Board of Education, the American educational system is fraught withseparate and unequal opportunities for historically underrepresented and underserved populations.However, unlike the 1950s when race was the single most important predictor of educationaldisparities, most contemporary scholars agree that it is a convergence of multiple factors that shapesthe circumstances in which America’s neediest students exist. For example, in 2005 (the most recentyear in which data are available), women represented the majority of college entrants at 2- and 4-yearinstitutions. Yet, African American women represented a smaller proportion of the total population offemale collegians (U.S. Department of Education 2006).
Teachers, Never Stop Learning Journal Article for Academic Leadership
Authors: Schnase Luanne , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Teachers, facilitators, and instructors must understand their students in order to affect learning.Understanding who learners are and how they develop cognitively, emotionally, and intellectually willhelp instructors create learning opportunities which will enhance student knowledge. The same is truewhen it is the teacher who becomes the student. Whether the readers of this article are teachers,administrators, or professional development providers, adults must understand how adults learn, andteachers should allow themselves the opportunity to remember what it is like to be a learner(Brookfield, 1995).
Art For Irs’ Sake: Hobby Loss Rules And Artistic Endeavors
Authors: Pirrone Maria , Kliener Deborah , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

In Crile v. Commissioner, T. C. Memo. 2014-202 (Oct. 2, 2014), the United States Tax Court recently ruled that a tenured art professor’s artistic endeavors constituted a “business” rather than a “hobby.” Internal Revenue Code Section 183 limits taxpayers’ deductions to the extent of income earned if the activity is not engaged in for profit, i.e. a hobby, rather than a business. In this presentation, we examine the nine factors considered by the court in distinguishing between businesses and hobbies and discuss how the facts and circumstances of the taxpayer in this case prompted the court to decide in her favor. Practical recommendations are made to assist taxpayers to determine whether their art constitutes a hobby or an activity engaged in for profit and how to strategize their activities so that they too can deduct expenses despite the fact that a profit may not have been realized.
Effect Of Instruction In Metacognitive Self-assessment Strategy On Chemistry Self-efficacy And Achievement Of Senior Secondary School Students In Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Nbina Jacobson , Viko B. , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Chemistry is one of the major branches of science. There are various applications of Chemistry inhome or industry. There is an increasing impact of growing knowledge in the subject of chemistry onour social and economic life. A poor chemistry foundation at the secondary school will jeopardize anyfuture effort to enhance achievement in the subject.
Leadership in Higher Education: Handling Faculty Resistance to Technology through Strategic Planning
Authors: McBride Kelli , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

People often recognize leadership in the concrete, mostly by identifying an effective or ineffectiveleader, but they have a much more difficult time explaining leadership in the abstract – what qualitiesresult in transformational and visionary leadership. Often this lack of understanding does not surfaceuntil a crisis or challenge arises in an organization, when a gap occurs between what is and whatshould be. Higher education faces such challenges, and it needs transformational leadership,especially concerning faculty resistance to technology (Buckley, 2002; Hagner, 2000; Moore, Fowler, &Watson, 2007; Scott, 2003). As many organizations see online learning as their chance to be globallycompetitive in a highly competitive environment, they require the leadership to help them identify needs,plan for the future, and transition to this new method of delivering courses (Clark & Gottfredson, 2008).Studies show, though, that faculty resistance to change, especially technological change, is high (Bonk,2010; Madsen, 2008). This causes a gap, a crisis and challenge. Colleges must have a plan to createan environment where campus leaders do not ignore or leave behind those resistant to change butinstead collaborate with different groups in an effort to meet student needs through the use oftechnology where appropriate. Part of this plan should include instructional designers who can helptransform colleges into learning agile organizations.
An exploration of organizational climate in Greek high schools
Authors: Lazridou Angeliki , Tsolakidis Ioannis , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

In the theoretical and research literature about school administration, organizational climate receivesconsiderable attention. A major reason is that school climate is often represented as the heart and soulof the school and the essence of the school that causes teachers and students to love the school and towant to be a part of it (Freiberg & Stein, 1999). Another reason is that climate is often seen to beassociated with school effectiveness. Furthermore, research has shown consistently that the principalof a school does not affect student achievement directly but does so indirectly by fostering a healthyclimate in the school (e.g., Leithwood and Jantzi, 1990; Sergiovanni, 2001; Pellicer, 2003; Witziers,Bosker, & Kruger, 2003; Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004; Hoy, Tarter, & Hoy, 2006 ).Therefore, it is essential that school principals understand the nature of school climate and the climaticconditions that support student achievement.
Superpowers Across the Sea: An Analysis of Competition Law in the US and EU via the Lens of Cultural, Political and Legal Values
Authors: Helland Breanna , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

This paper explores the differences in antitrust law between the United States (US) and European Union (EU) through the lens of cultural, political, and legal values. In regards to culture, the US and EU differ with respect to government involvement and public opinion, and such is reflected in each nation’s antitrust policies. Within the political realm, party values—namely conservatism or liberalism—and historical legislation—namely the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, Celler-Kefauver Act, and European Community (EC) Treaty—play a key role in the enforcement of antitrust law. Similarly, antitrust is approached differently in the US and EU with respect to legal values. This paper analyzes the cases of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), Standard Oil Company of New Jersey v. US (1911), Brown v. Board of Education, and US v. Microsoft (2011) to demonstrate the varying legal values inherent to the US and EU and how such values will play a role in the future of antitrust in both nations.
Surviving the First Years: A Principals Guide for Implementing a Quality Special Education Program
Authors: Bertrand Lisa , Roberts Ruth , Dalton Margaret , null null
Published: February 2023

In today’s schools, building level administrators are faced with a variety of challenges as they strive toprovide leadership that promotes successful learning experiences for all students. Promoting thesuccess of all students is also the foundation of current federal legislation with the No Child Left Behind(NCLB) mandates as well as the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Answering the call ofthese directives and the goal for all students to experience success, building level principals must havefundamental knowledge of special education programs and services. However, research indicates thatprincipal preparation course work may not target special education leadership and responsibilities(DiPaulo and Tschanned-Moran 2003). Further studies, such as work done by Lasky and Karge(2006), examined principal preparation programs and found the need for increased training in the areaof special education during the preservice phase. Therefore, with little emphasis during the principalpreparation experience in providing leadership at the building level in the area of special education,many beginning principals find themselves challenged on a daily basis. Learning on-the-job becomesthe starting point for all fundamental knowledge regarding special education leadership.
Presenting the Servant Leadership Model as a Panacea to Bad Leadership in Tertiary Education in West Africa
Authors: Ekundayo John , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Tertiary education in West Africa presently is fading in value compared with the last two or threedecades when graduates of universities in Nigeria and Ghana were highly rated by world rankedinstitutions in Europe and North America. In many West African tertiary institutions there are chronicand critical challenges impeding quality delivery of education to the citizens. Some of these lead toavoidable wastes in time, financial and human resources. In Nigeria for instance, there are many casesof students’ unrest leading to wanton and unwarranted destruction of properties and sometimes humanlives. In addition, lecturers and non-academic employees in tertiary institutions compound the alreadyendangered system by embarking on industrial strikes to press home their demands for better pay,conditions of service, less government interference, etc. Hence, in West Africa presently, huge amountof valuable resources are wasted in educational institutions of higher learning due primarily to humanand systemic problems associated with bad leadership structure. Crippen (2005) argued that the wayforward is a paradigm shifts in how educational leaders see themselves in the leadership process ofhigher institutions of learning (p. 2). Bennis and Goldsmith (1997) also argued that for transformation tooccur, leaders must recognize the paradigm shift through which they view themselves. In this paper, theparadigm shift we propose is leadership in tertiary educational institutions as one meant to first servethe school community rather than leading it. Thus, advocating the servant-leadership model ofleadership as originally propounded by Robert K. Greenleaf (1970/1991).
Rediscovering SWOT Analysis: The Extended Version
Authors: Nyarku Kwamena , Agyapong Gloria , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

SWOT analysis was developed to help companies define their strategies in the context of the everemerging and competitive business environments. This decision-making tool owes its name to the factthat it examines the strengths and weaknesses within the firm, as well as the opportunities and threatsof the external market. According to Meyer (2003), the SWOT analysis suggests that a sound strategyshould match the firm’s strengths(S) and weaknesses (W) to the opportunities (O) and threats (T)encountered in the firm’s environment. It is meant to spark strategic insight and distil fragmentary factsand figures into coherent backdrops for strategic planning (Mintzberg, 1994).
Adaptive Leadership: Leadership Theory or Theoretical Derivative?
Authors: Cojocar Bill , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Today’s public and private business leaders and leaders of our Armed Forces are faced withchallenges that require leadership that is capable of tackling and solving complex problems andissues, with collective, collaborative, timely effective, and innovative solutions. This set of challengesrequires leadership that spans the spectrum of leadership theories, traits, and stylistic approaches thatis very adaptive, yet direct in nature. This type of leadership is defined as ‘adaptive leadership’ and is astyle of leadership that is developing into a new theory of its own, evolving from situational,transformational, contingency, and complexity theories, as described by Nastanski, (2002), beingfurther refined by leadership theorists such as Heifetz (2004), Yukl,(2002) and Lepsinger (2006), andBennis (2003), who are pioneering adaptive leadership approaches into the practicality of today’sworkplace. A recent study conducted, entitled: "Adaptive Leadership: Leadership Theory or TheoreticalDerivative" analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated the legitimacy of adaptive leadership as a leadershiptheory, and provided conclusive results determining whether or not adaptive leadership is a leadershiptheory or simply a theoretical derivative from other leadership theories such as situational,transactional, transformational, contingency, or complexity theories.
Factors that Affect Teacher Morale
Authors: Willis Mario , Varner Lynn , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Although teacher morale may be defined in multiple ways, most definitions include two themes:teachers have personal needs and the (Bentley R R Remple A M 1970 Manual for the Purdue teacheropinionaire)perceived realization of these needs within the organization often impacts their state ofmind and performance. According to Webster’s Dictionary (2010), morale is a person’s mental statethat is exhibited by assurance, control, and motivation to perform a task. Bentley and Rempel (1970)defined teacher morale as the degree to which the needs of a person are satisfied, and the person’sperception of how the job situation brought the state of satisfaction of the worker to fruition. As cited inthe Administrator’s Handbook for Improving Faculty Morale (Andrews, 1985), Smith defines morale asa confident state of mind that progressively looks to achieve an essential and shared function.
Parenting on the tenure track: Exploring gender differences in perceptions of collegial and supervisor support
Authors: Loeffler Diane , Ely Gretchen , Flaherty Chris , null null
Published: February 2023

The task of gaining a tenured professorship is demanding one, requiring a wide range of research,teaching, writing and service skills. Faculty members in tenure track professor positions do not workconventional hours and generally report schedules exceeding 50 hours of work per week (Zimbler, &Conley, 1997). Many pretenure professors are also parents of children under age 18, thus requiring thatthey nurture family relationships while also adhering to a demanding work schedule. While womenmake up over half of doctoral graduates in the United States today, the literature indicates that they areless likely to go on to achieve a tenured professor position when compared to their male counterparts(Leslie, 2006; Rudd, Morrison, Sadrozinski, Nerad & Cerny, 2008). Researchers suggest variousexplanations for this difference, yet clear reasons for the gender differences found related to tenureachievement remain ambiguous.
A Review Of The Literature On Human Resource Development: Leveraging Hr As Strategic Partner In The High Performance Organization
Authors: Thoman Daniel , Lloyd Robert , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this paper is to describe the evolution of Human Resources (HR) from its inception as the clerical personnel administration utility of a company to its current developmental role as the strategic partner that helps to grow firms into dynamic, high-performance organizations through the invocation of the next stage of HR conceptual growth, Human Resource Development (HRD). Further, it covers the evolution of HRD with both a theoretical lens as well as a practitioner’s viewpoint in mind. This paper will discuss this conceptual evolution as it has occurred over time, as well as how it mirrors the overall progression of the organizational paradigm from traditional to developmental. This paper will also address critical issues with respect to the current state of HRD, providing facts and details surrounding this topic in order to examine how HRD has affected and is affecting the current business environment. This paper will conclude with an examination regarding how HRD can be leveraged by the modern High Performance Organization (HPO) to meet the strategic challenges of the current competitive business landscape.
The TESOL Arabia Conference and its Role in the Professional Development of Teachers at Institutions of Higher Education in the United Arab Emirates.
Authors: Aubrey Jonathan , Coombe Christine , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

There are many reasons to pursue professional development, but perhaps one of the most importantmay be to narrow the wide chasm left behind by many teacher education programs. Freeman (1989)and Holliday (1994) have pointed out many of the difficulties associated with the transfer of knowledgeinto classroom practices, while others have directed attention to the vast kaleidoscope of culturaldiversity involved in ELT (see Larsen-Freeman, 1983; Colabucci, 2007; Govardhan, Nayar andSheorey, 1999). Consider, for a moment, what happens to a cohort of MA TESOL students uponcompletion of their teacher education programs. They scatter off to various points on the globe, each insearch of a job with their newly minted degrees. One could end up teaching at a refugee camp in ruralnorthern Thailand, with only chalk and a blackboard at their disposal, while another may end upteaching EAP in the United Arab Emirates. Given such diversity, then, how could any one teachereducation program ever prepare its students to meet such challenges?
Accreditation Discrimination: Impact on School Choice, Costs, and Professional Prospects in Academia
Authors: McFarlane Donovan , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Universities and colleges in the 21st century have taken on extreme forms of business orientation andcorporate success models, taking their strategies and cues from successful business corporations andbusiness leaders. This stems from several factors including competition in the overall economy,increased demand for training and qualifications; hence an increased demand for degrees andcertifications (not necessarily an increased demand for "education" in the strict classical sense of theword, since many individuals are graduating from colleges and universities nowadays with degreesand low levels of literacy or marginally educated), contraction of economies and industries, economicsaturation and increased resource constraints and limitations by increased urbanization and a globalvillage complex, the decline of land ownership and cottage industry opportunities, lack of growth,innovation, and dynamism in survival and sustainability practices, and increased assumption andmisperception concerning the economic versus the social value of education. In addition, competitionas the overarching factor complicating education’s major purpose and role as a socialization agent haspropelled universities and colleges to the top of the economic-capitalist earning machine which drivesa rugged modernity with increasingly fewer concerns for posterity.
Job Satisfaction and Motivation: Understanding its impact on employee commitment and organisational performance
Authors: Dartey-Baah Kwasi , Harlley Agatha , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Organisations have been described as a social arrangement for the controlled performance ofcollective goals (Stewart, 1973). They exist basically for two reasons: to maximise profit or shareholder value, (Huczynski and Buchanan, 1991). Latest trends in management encourage the integrationof the needs of employees with that of organisations. Maximising profit through growth/expansion andincreased share value should not be the only motivation for organisations. Investment in people shouldbe at the fore of business strategy and in developing human resources which invariably benefits therespective organisations. The role and effective use and management of human resources inenhancing organisational performance therefore cannot be overemphasised.
Principals as Mentors in Teacher Education: How Preservice Teachers’ Voices Informed Practice
Authors: Varrati Anita , Smith Amy , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Principals in today’s schools clearly have their work cut out for them. The job has never been easy andthe addition of accountability for state standards and assessments just adds to the load. Theimplications of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for principals involve spending significant amounts of timeon the development of effective classroom teachers. The content of induction programs for newteachers now includes federal and state requirements for licensing and recertification (Highly QualifiedTeachers) in addition to aligning new teacher needs with school mission and goals. As a result, theprincipal’s role with beginning teachers has never been more important than in today’s era of schoolreform. What impact do accountability measures have on the attrition and retention of new teachers?According to Hoerr (2005), 25 percent of new teachers will leave the profession within four years. Willthat figure be further impacted by the fact that new teachers must deal with strict accountability issuesalong with the traditional concerns of classroom management, planning and organizing instruction,motivating and evaluating students, and using effective teaching strategies (Gordon & Maxey, 2000)?Federal and state requirements put added pressure on principals to get their teachers up to speedquickly in order to improve and sustain student achievement. While principals can put new teachers onthe right course through well-developed induction programs, they may want to become involved sooner.It may prove advantageous to schools and the profession, if principals start looking at earlierinvolvement with new teachers during pre-service. Principals may argue that the extra time investedwith preservice teachers may not impact their particular school when most students will take jobs inother districts. Considering the statistics on new teacher attrition and the prediction that we will need toeducate 54.3 million students by 2008 in our nation’s classrooms (Glatthorn, Jones & Bullock, 2006),principals may be providing a service that could impact the profession of teaching as a whole.
Humanitarian Supply Chain/logistics: Roadmap To Effective Relief Effort
Authors: Kwon Ik-Whan , Kim Sung-Ho , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Between the years of 2000 and 2012, natural disasters caused 1.7 trillion dollars in damage and affected 2.9 billion people (dosomething.org). In Americas (ranked second globally in terms of natural disasters) between 2007 and 2016, disasters caused 255,033 deaths, 898,816 injuries and damages worth $470 billion (Disasters, 2017). In 2016 alone, natural disasters caused $175 billion in damage with 8,700 lives (Munich RE, 2017). The above numbers reflect the amount of physical destruction only but do not include indirect losses such as unemployment, environmental consequences, and business disruptions. Therefore, the full impact of these catastrophic events is much greater than these numbers suggest. Response to and management of disaster relief supply chain is different from that of commercial supply chain/logistics in many aspects. Since humanitarian relief efforts depend to a large extent on international donors and the donors usually respond well to emergency, a well thought out long term strategic plan to relive human suffering is not well established. But studies indicate that investment in the planning stage of humanitarian supply chain is much more effective and saves many lives than spending on the operation side of relief efforts.\r This paper explores alternative ways to respond and manage humanitarian relief efforts utilizing the principles of commercial supply chain. More specifically, this paper addresses/outlines the process to improve relief outcomes by investing in the prepared stage of humanitarian supply chain.
Implementing an Assessment Program: A Faculty Member’s Perspective
Authors: Becker Robert , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

In 1999, after several exploratory meetings, the college administration established an ad-hocinterdisciplinary assessment committee to begin a conversation about what students were taught andhow faculty knew what was learned and what was not. At the first meeting of this committee, composedof representatives of the college’s seventeen teaching departments, the library, student affairs,institutional planning, research, and assessment, and academic affairs, several impediments to aformalized college-wide assessment initiative immediately became apparent. While a culture ofinformal assessment already existed as instructors daily grappled with effectively teaching theirstudents, the notion of a widespread institutionalized plan was alien. We faculty members posed suchquestions as: "What constitutes formal assessment? How might we begin to communicate our needsand concerns given the differences between our disciplines?" Simply, we were unsure of how to talk toeach other about the very thing that unified us as faculty members, the teaching that we did day in andday out.
STRATEGIC PLANNING and THE PRINCIPAL-AGENT ISSUE IN HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP
Authors: Auld Douglas , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Strategic planning is well entrenched in colleges and universities around the globe. It is not onlyessential for effective resource allocation but in some jurisdictions, legislation requires that strategicplans be submitted to government as part of the funding approval process. The difficulties associatedwith strategic planning and indeed planning in general in colleges and universities has not goneunexplored. It is our contention and the thesis of this paper that the failure to develop and executestrategic plans flows from the distinctive aspects of the principal-agent framework within which manyhigher education institutions work. Understanding and responding to the deficiencies that beset thismodel in higher education should improve the effectiveness of planning.
Big Data In Marketing & Retailing
Authors: Cao Shitong , Manrai Ajay , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Data is increasingly being created, stored, analyzed, and applied. Big Data is becoming an everyday phrase that appears in popular media and people’s daily conversations. This paper provides a framework to define Big Data from technical and business perspectives, to present its enormous value in different fields, to share its applications in marketing and retailing, market segmentation, targeting and positioning as well in developing marketing mix. We also provide some real life industry examples, to shed light on the challenges in harnessing the potential of Big Data, and to discuss its future. Big Data will separate the winners from the losers in the business field in the future. The leading companies in the Big Data field, such as Google, Amazon, and Wal-Mart, will continue to build their competitive advantage, both in marketing and other areas, by acting on the insights developed from Big Data analysis.
Protectionism in South Korean Universities
Authors: Jambor Paul , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Any economist will tell you that the past attitude of the South Korean government with regard to foreigntrade was anything but non-protectionist with high tariffs imposed on imports while pushing to export awide range of products to as many countries as possible. In effect, the Korean government wasexercising a lopsided trading policy. Nonetheless, the attitudes of both leading parties in South Koreahave drastically changed over the last couple of years, wowing to eliminate protectionism since theyrealized that it is counterproductive to their global ambitions.
It Is Simple, But Not Easy–Culturally Responsive Leadership and Social Capital: A Framework for Closing the Opportunity Gap
Authors: Taliaferro Alisa , null null , null null , null null
Published: February 2023

Instructional designers are not often found in a public school setting. However, the leadership an instructional designer can provide, especially as part of a professional learning community (PLC), could help achieve the transformational change for which many schools are looking. With the issues cited by Hoyle and Kutka (2008) in public education today, such as the drop out rate and increased necessity for remedial coursework at the college level, the need for effective instructional design practices being implemented by high school teachers is great. However, as Moallem (1998) notes, "Teachers’ use of instructional design practices is not encouraging (Driscoll, 1989; Martin, 1990). Research on teacher planning and decision-making processes (e.g., Brown, 1988; Kagan, 1992; Reynolds, 1992; Shavelson, 1983) revealed that teachers typically do not plan and provide instruction in accordance with [instructional design] procedures" (p. 38). Change is required if education is to meet the rapidly changing needs of society today. Evidence is building that change in instructive practice does not occur unless faculty become involved in leadership, including professional development and professional learning communities (Bezzina, 2006; Colbert, Brown, Choi, & Thomas, 2008; Pijanowski, 2010). The implementation of professional learning communities (PLCs) in a public school requires leadership from both administration and from faculty. While it may seem counterintuitive, guidance and direction from the faculty is more important than the management of the administration. Specifically, an instructional designer would have a vital role in the success of a professional learning community striving toward transformative instructional change, and should be part of the faculty team.
Comparison of the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist dosage in girls with central precocious puberty
Authors: Jang Shinyoung , Kim Su Jin , Lee Myeongseob , Lee Hae In , Kwon Ahreum , Suh Junghwan , Song Kyungchul , Chae Hyun Wook , Kim Ho-Seong
Published: February 2023

Purpose: There are no definite guidelines on the optimal dosage of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist for treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP). We compared growth outcomes of GnRH agonist at different dosages in girls with idiopathic CPP to assess the optimal dosage.Methods: This retrospective study included 86 girls with idiopathic CPP who had been treated with GnRH agonist for at least one year and had attained their final adult height. Leuprolide was given as fixed dosage (3.75 mg every 4 weeks in body weight >20 kg, n=72) or weight-based dosage (60–85 μg/kg every 4 weeks, n=14). We compared suppression of advanced puberty and treatment response between the 2 groups.Results: Peak estradiol and luteinizing hormone and bone age (BA)/chronological age after injection of GnRH agonist were effectively suppressed in both groups. In both groups, the height standard deviation score (SDS) for BA increased after treatment. Final adult height (FAH) (fixed dosage group,160.8±4.1 cm and weight-based dosage group, 161.2±4.4 cm) was significantly higher than the initial predicted adult height (PAH) (155.5±3.3 and 156.1±3.6 cm, respectively) (both P<0.001) and similar to midparental height (159.8±3.3 and 160.6±3.7 cm, respectively). There were no differences in gain in height SDS for BA and gain in height (FAH-PAH at the start) between the 2 groups.Conclusion: There were no differences in treatment outcome between fixed dosage (3.75 mg/4 wk) and weight-based dosage (60–85 μg/kg/4wk) of GnRH agonist. Therefore, a fixed dosage of GnRH agonist can be used more conveniently for CPP treatment without growth oversuppression.
Generative power of a protein language model trained on multiple sequence alignments
Authors: Sgarbossa Damiano , Lupo Umberto , Bitbol Anne-Florence
Published: February 2023

Computational models starting from large ensembles of evolutionarily related protein sequences capture a representation of protein families and learn constraints associated to protein structure and function. They thus open the possibility for generating novel sequences belonging to protein families. Protein language models trained on multiple sequence alignments, such as MSA Transformer, are highly attractive candidates to this end. We propose and test an iterative method that directly employs the masked language modeling objective to generate sequences using MSA Transformer. We demonstrate that the resulting sequences score as well as natural sequences, for homology, coevolution, and structure-based measures. For large protein families, our synthetic sequences have similar or better properties compared to sequences generated by Potts models, including experimentally validated ones. Moreover, for small protein families, our generation method based on MSA Transformer outperforms Potts models. Our method also more accurately reproduces the higher-order statistics and the distribution of sequences in sequence space of natural data than Potts models. MSA Transformer is thus a strong candidate for protein sequence generation and protein design.
Competition between myosin II and βH-spectrin regulates cytoskeletal tension
Authors: Ibar Consuelo , Chinthalapudi Krishna , Heissler Sarah M , Irvine Kenneth D
Published: February 2023

Spectrins are membrane cytoskeletal proteins generally thought to function as heterotetramers comprising two α-spectrins and two β-spectrins. They influence cell shape and Hippo signaling, but the mechanism by which they influence Hippo signaling has remained unclear. We have investigated the role and regulation of the Drosophila β-heavy spectrin (βH-spectrin, encoded by the karst gene) in wing imaginal discs. Our results establish that βH-spectrin regulates Hippo signaling through the Jub biomechanical pathway due to its influence on cytoskeletal tension. While we find that α-spectrin also regulates Hippo signaling through Jub, unexpectedly, we find that βH-spectrin localizes and functions independently of α-spectrin. Instead, βH-spectrin co-localizes with and reciprocally regulates and is regulated by myosin. In vivo and in vitro experiments support a model in which βH-spectrin and myosin directly compete for binding to apical F-actin. This competition can explain the influence of βH-spectrin on cytoskeletal tension and myosin accumulation. It also provides new insight into how βH-spectrin participates in ratcheting mechanisms associated with cell shape change.
Decline in wild bee species richness associated with honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) abundance in an urban ecosystem
Authors: MacInnis Gail , Normandin Etienne , Ziter Carly D.
Published: February 2023

The spatial heterogeneity of urban landscapes, relatively low agrochemical use, and species-rich floral communities often support a surprising diversity of wild pollinators in cities. However, the management of Western honey bees (Apis melliferaL.) in urban areas may represent a new threat to wild bee communities. Urban beekeeping is commonly perceived as an environmentally friendly practice or a way to combat pollinator declines, when high-density beekeeping operations may actually have a negative influence on native and wild bee populations through floral resource competition and pathogen transmission. On the Island of Montréal, Canada there has been a particularly large increase in beekeeping across the city. Over the years following a large bee diversity survey ending in 2013, there was an influx of almost three thousand honey bee colonies to the city. In this study, we examined the wild bee communities and floral resources across a gradient of honey bee abundances in urban greenspaces in 2020, and compared the bee communities at the same sites before and after the large influx of honey bees. Overall, we found a negative relationship between urban beekeeping, pollen availability, and wild bee species richness. We also found that honey bee abundance had the strongest negative effect on small (inter-tegular span <2.25 mm) wild bee species richness. Small bee species may be at higher risk in areas with abundant honey bee populations as their limited foraging range may reduce their access to floral resources in times of increased competition. Further research on the influence of urban beekeeping on native and wild pollinators, coupled with evidence-based beekeeping regulations, is essential to ensure cities contain sufficient resources to support wild bee diversity alongside managed honey bees.
Practical Research on Compound Training in Physical Training of Teenage Tennis Players
Authors: BingYuan Liao
Published: February 2023

Tennis requires a high level of physical fitness. Once physical fitness fails to keep up, its reaction ability and movement speed will decline, and ultimately affect professional development. Therefore, when arranging tennis ball fitness training, we should improve our understanding of the concept of physical fitness training, grasp every sensitive period of teenagers' physical quality development, develop their ability in an all-round way, and also understand the psychological characteristics of athletes Then combined with the characteristics of modern tennis and the constituent elements of the special physical fitness of young tennis players, that is, moving speed, fast strength, coordination, sensitivity, aerobic endurance and anaerobic endurance, this paper preliminarily discusses the special physical fitness training methods of young tennis players, with a view to providing some help for the physical fitness training of young tennis players.
Challenges Encountered by Veterinarians and Dairy Farmers in the Context of Animal Healthcare Services in Kashmir
Authors: Rasool Sanober , Hai Abdul , Hamdani S. A. , Gull Gowhar , Akram Hussain Syed , Bulbul K. H.
Published: February 2023

The present study was purposively carried out in Kashmir Division of Jammu and Kashmir based on the availability of records for data collection at respective Government, Veterinary Healthcare Centers. The aim of the study was to get a knowhow about various challenges encountered by veterinarians and dairy farmers while delivering animal healthcare services in Kashmir. The many challenges/obstacles that veterinarians encounter while providing animal healthcare services, was the absence of efficient diagnostic laboratories with suitable infrastructure in veterinary clinics with a constraint index of 1.00,  followed by livestock farmers' delay in bringing animals in for treatment (CI =0.97),inadequate transportation facilities (CI= 0.89). whereas  poor supply of inputs with a constraint index of 0.95, followed by difficulty in availing veterinary services during emergencies (CI= 0.92) and non-availability of animal healthcare services round the clock ( CI=0.91) were the major constraints that majority of the livestock owners faced while availing the various animal healthcare services. The study's conclusions have given policymakers important information they need to know about the possibility of enhancing AHS in the Union Territory.
Indonesian Pre-service English Teacher Education Students’ English-speaking Anxiety in Asking Questions
Authors: Amin Nurhidayah , Syahri Indawan , Susanti Rini
Published: February 2023

There is a recognized need to investigate the factors contributing to speaking anxiety when asking questions in class from the viewpoint of fifteen Indonesian pre-service English teachers. Several studies have documented students' speaking anxiety from elementary school to the university level. Despite the wealth of research on this topic, there is a gap in the literature related to exploring the factors contributing to speaking anxiety among Indonesian pre-service English teachers when asking questions in the classroom. To fulfil the gap in the literature, the present study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to speaking anxiety when asking questions in class from the viewpoint of fifteen Indonesian pre-service English teachers. The study included a qualitative approach that employed semi-structured interviews to obtain information from the participants. The data from the semi-structured interviews were then analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the themes that emerged from the participant's responses. The study's results revealed three factors contributing to anxiety when asking questions in class among Indonesian pre-service English teachers: psychological, educational, and socio-cultural factors. Psychological factors included a lack of confidence and negative attitudes towards asking an unqualified question. Educational factors included previous experiences when asking questions, which left them with trauma and a lack of familiarity with the dialogic classroom atmosphere. Finally, socio-cultural factors, such as shyness and traditional cultural values and beliefs about asking questions of the lecturers, were also identified as contributing to pre-service English teachers' anxiety.
On Propositions Pertaining to the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Basu Pathikrit
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we establish some methods and propositions that allows a study of the Riemann Hypothesis. The main idea is to divide a sum (finite or infinite), so that the two parts are not equivalent in some sense and hence lead to a non-zero point. Particularly so, we suggest methods to establish how different sub-regions(subsets) may correspond to non-zeroes.
Clique Centrality and Global Clique Centrality of Graphs
Authors: Madriaga Gerry J. , Eballe Rolito G.
Published: February 2023

We formally introduce in this paper two parameters in graph theory, namely, clique centrality and global clique centrality. Let G be a finite, simple and undirected graph of order n. A clique in G is a nonempty subset W \(\subseteq\) V (G) such that the subgraph \(\langle\)W\(\rangle\)G induced by W is complete. The maximum size of any clique containing vertex u \(\in\) V (G) is called the clique centrality of u in G. Normalizing the sum of the clique centralities of all the vertices of G will lead us to the global clique centrality of G, whose value ranges from \(\frac{1}{m}\) to 1. In this paper, we study some general properties of the global clique centrality and then evaluate it for some parameterized families of graphs.
Factors associated with gestational weight gain above recommended: systematic review / Fatores associados ao ganho de peso gestacional acima do recomendado: revisão sistemática
Authors: Oliveira Gabriela , Garcia Gabira Fernanda , Araújo de Oliveira Elizabete Regina
Published: February 2023

Objetivo: estimar os fatores que estão relacionados ao ganho de peso gestacional acima do recomendado. Métodos: a busca foi realizada em maio de 2021 nas bases de dados: LILACS, PubMed e COCHRANE, com os descritores: “Pregnant women”; “Gestational weight gain”; “Pregnancy”; “Gestation”; “Risk Factors”; “Socioeconomic Factors”. O protocolo do estudo foi registrado na PROSPERO sob o nº CRD42021258655. A seleção dos artigos foi realizada com foco na pergunta norteadora “Quais fatores estão associados ao ganho de peso gestacional acima do recomendado?”.  Artigos selecionados foram analisados pelos sistemas “JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist” e Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Resultados: foram selecionados 15 artigos. Os fatores mais prevalentes, foram: peso pré-gestacional, uso de tabaco, paridade e renda familiar. Conclusão: estimar esses fatores contribui para a obtenção de um melhor período gestacional, parto e período pós-parto.
Measles Serostatus Among Parturient Patients at 2 Philadelphia Hospitals in 2021
Authors: Flannery Dustin D. , Zevallos Barboza Alvaro , Wade Kelly C. , Pfeifer Madeline R. , Gerber Jeffrey S. , Morris Jeffrey S. , Puopolo Karen M.
Published: February 2023

This observational study explores whether rubella serostatus, which is routinely assessed during pregnancy, can serve as a proxy for measles serostatus in parturient persons.
Determination of the optimal concentration and duration of C5aR antagonist application in an inflammatory model of human dental pulp cells
Authors: Hu Junlong , Tan Xiaohan , Wei Xiaoling , Hu Weiping , Gao Li , Cao Xiaofang , Yang Huiying , Jiang Zhuling , Li Ning , Teng Li , Liu Mingyue
Published: February 2023

Deep tooth decay approaching the pulp may develop into pulpitis; to prevent this, pulp cells need to balance the rapid immune response to avoid rapid swelling of the pulp. Current treatment of deep decay that approaches the pulp involves the application of drugs that induce low‐level inflammation in the dental pulp to promote its repair, but this treatment is sometimes insufficient. However, the unsuccessful treatment often resulted in pulpitis. The C5a‐C5aR is the initial stage of the immune cascade response. Blocking the binding of C5a‐C5aR can slow the immune response in the narrow pulp cavity, so that dental pulp cells have enough time to proliferate, migrate, and differentiate. In this study, we compared lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) at different concentrations and time points and used the C5aR antagonist W54011 to block the C5a‐C5aR axis. The blocking effect was detected by analyzing the expression of C5a, C5aR, interleukin (IL)‐6, and Toll‐like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR‐2, 4). Next, we determined the optimal concentration and duration of LTA and LPS treatment in combination with W54011. Based on our results, we selected 1.0 μg·mL−1 LPS treatment for 48 h to generate an inflammatory model of human dental pulp cells. We then regrouped the cells and conducted expression analyses to monitor the expression of C5a, C5aR, IL‐6, and TLR‐4 at the protein and mRNA levels. LPS stimulation for 48 h and treatment with W54011 for 48 h effectively inhibited inflammation and did not affect C5a expression. This study provides a basis for follow‐up studies of W54011 in dental pulp cells.