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Complementarity between the traits of the team's leader and members aids in encouraging shared leadership in teams and improving creativity. By employing social learning theory, this research explores the role of shared leadership in promoting creativity in teams. To test our model, we collected data from 300 members of 30 teams. Results revealed that shared leadership is positively associated with team creativity and team autonomy mediates the relationship between shared leadership and team creativity. Moreover, team engagement moderates these relationships. This paper also discusses the theoretical contributions, practical implications and potential future directions of our findings.

Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumors comprising 1 percent of solid malignancies. The latest edition of WHO soft tissue pathology lists 94 benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. Many of these show a large degree of morphological overlap. Immunohistochemistry has been shown to be reliable in many cases for differential diagnosis of lesions, although cytogenetic tests are considered the gold standard for many entities.Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is a cytogenetic technique that uses fluorescent probes that bind to only those parts of the chromosome which have a high degree of sequence complementarity. Many soft tissue tumors show recurrent genetic mutations that are now being used as diagnostic markers. Knowledge of the molecular identity allows prediction of behavior, prognosis and treatment response. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify genetic mutations in soft tissue sarcomas using FISH testing and to assess correlations with histological diagnosis. Material and methods: A total of 25 cases of different soft tissue sarcomas diagnosed on histology with the help of immunohistochemical staining and for which FISH studies were requested were included in this study. Three pathologists with a special interest in soft tissue sarcomas reviewed the cases. FISH tests for EWS, the X:18 translocation, FOXO1 and MDM2 were respectively applied for 8 cases of Ewing sarcoma, 8 cases of synovial sarcoma, 2 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma and 7 cases of dedifferentiated liposarcoma and atypical lipomatous tumors/well differentiated liposarcomas. Results: EWS gene fusion was detected in 7 out of 8 cases of Ewing sarcoma and the X: 18 translocation was positive in 3 of the 8 cases of synovial sarcoma. FOXO1 was not detected in either of the two rhabdomyosarcomas. MDM2 by FISH was detected in only one out of 5 cases of atypical lipomatous tumors and 1 out of 2 dedifferentiated liposarcomas. Conclusion: FISH is a useful adjunct in the diagnostic assessment of different types of soft tissue sarcomas. It is easy to set up, is relatively inexpensive and has the ability to diagnose sarcomas with great accuracy, especially in cases which can not be accurately classified even after thorough histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. It may play a very important role in the accurate diagnosis and correct management of patients.

The influence of natural fermentation on the highlands barley starch chemical structure, morphological, physicochemical, and thermal properties was studied. The findings showed that fermentation had no impact on starch fine structure but it decreased the molecular-weight from 2.26 to 1.04 × 108 g/mol in native highlands barley and after 72 h fermentation (FHB72) respectively. Also, it decreased amylopectin long-chains (B1 and B2) while increased short-chains. The intensity ratio of FT-IR at 995/1022 and 1047/1022 bands were found to be higher as the time of fermentation progressed, and the highest absorption-intensity at 3000–3600 cm−1 and higher swelling capacity were noticed in the starch of FHB72. During fermentation, pasting peak, final and setback viscosities were decreased. Microscopically, granules with more pores, damaged, cracked, and no growth rings were found in starches isolated after 48 h and 72 h of fermentation. This study indicated that fermentation up to 72 h is an effective method to modify highlands barley starch.

Germination is a non-chemical and simple approach usually used to improve the bio-availability of crucial nutrients. In this study, the effect of germination on molecular, physicochemical, morphological properties of highland barley starch was investigated. The results of this study revealed that germination for 72 h (GB72) significantly increased amylose content and gelatinization temperatures (To and Tc) to 26.3%, 59.79 °C, and 68.19 °C as compared to 22.81%, 57.56 °C, and 67.05 °C in native barley starch (NB), respectively, and a significant decrease in total starch contents was noticed (31.67%) in GB72 as compared to 45.70% in NB. After germination, the FT-IR intensity ratio of 995/1022 and 1047/1022 bands, pasting temperatures, particle size, and swelling capacity were also decreased. Moreover, average molecular-weight, relative crystallinity, gelatinization temperature ranges, and enthalpy of gelatinization were decreased as compared to NB starch, and the decrease was more obvious in GB72 starches (0.49 × 108 g/mol, 17.64%, 8.40 °C, and 6.41J/g), respectively. This study indicates the effectiveness of germination for the modification of highland barley starch and its potential to enhance starch-based products.

BACKGROUNDMalignant tumors of the minor salivary glands comprise a small but significant proportion of oral cancers. We analyzed this group of tumors in our population.METHODSThe records of all cases of malignant minor salivary gland tumors diagnosed at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, Pakistan, during a period of 10 years (1994-2003) are described. The institute receives biopsy material from armed forces and public and private sector hospitals in northern Pakistan as well as referrals for second opinion.RESULTSA total of 21168 tumors were recorded at the AFIP Tumor Registry during the study period. These included 70 malignant minor salivary gland tumors. Twenty-three of these (32.8%) arose in the palate while the remaining tumors originated at other sites in the oral cavity. The commonest histological type was adenoid cystic carcinoma, constituting 30 cases (42.8%). The next most common type was mucoepidermoid carcinoma comprising 26 (37.1%) cases. The mean age of cases was 43.4 years and the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.4. There were 2 cases each of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma and clear cell adenocarcinoma. The remaining cases included undifferentiated carcinomas, adenocarcinomas (not otherwise specified) and a few other rare tumors.CONCLUSIONAdenoid cystic carcinoma was the commonest malignant neoplasm of the minor salivary glands followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The palate was the commonest location of these tumors.