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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how employers define overqualification and mismatched qualification and whether they are willing to hire applicants whose educational and work experience credentials do not match job requirements. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws from qualitative interview data from 24 hiring managers across a wide range of US public sector and private industries. Data were analyzed and coded to identify themes related to managers’ perceptions of overqualification, matched, and mismatched qualification, and how these were related to selection decisions. A typology is proposed for categorizing applicant qualification levels and their potential human resource outcomes such as hiring decisions. Findings – Hiring managers report that they are willing to interview and hire individuals whose education or experience exceed a job’s requirements as well as applicants with less than required education, but only if they possess sufficient compensatory experience. Research limitations/implications – Findings may not apply to industries where minimum educational levels are essential or to small organizations with few opportunities for career advancement. Social implications – Given current unemployment and underemployment levels, the findings can inform the job search strategies of job seekers. Overqualified applicants should not refrain from applying to job openings, particularly in organizations with opportunities for advancement and where education is considered an asset. Additionally, applicants should reveal their motivations for pursing positions that are intentional mismatches. Originality/value – In contrast to previous studies conducted during periods of lower unemployment and underemployment, these data include managers’ perceptions of overqualification in a recession and post-recession job market context and thus are especially relevant to today’s employment context. The proposed typology distinguishes between categorizations of qualified, overqualified, and underqualified, and helps refine studies aimed at selection decisions.

Nanoscale topography on various titanium surfaces has already been shown to improve vascular response in vitro. To propose a novel strategy for translation into clinically used vascular implants, it is imperative that the surface should also be properly conditioned to provide a better environment for adhesion and proliferation of cells. Electrochemical anodization process is one of the well-established strategies to produce controlled nanotopographic features on the surface of titanium. By combining electrochemical anodization process and gaseous plasma surface modification, it would be possible to fine-tune surface properties to enable improved biological response for specific application. The key surface properties that may influence biological responses, such as surface topography, surface chemistry, and surface wettability were studied in detail and their influences on in vitro biological responses were evaluated. Performance of platelets, human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC), and stem cells on those surfaces was studied. It was shown that altering nanotube diameter (electrochemical anodization) and changing surface chemistry and wettability (gaseous plasma modification) significantly influenced platelet adhesion and activation as well as proliferation of HCAEC. The results provide evidence that by combining specific nanotopographic features and surface chemical modification by gaseous oxygen plasma, the optimized surface features necessary for improved performance of vascular implants in coronary arteries could be achieved.

Organizations can be seen as amalgams of languages that can serve as a source of divisive tensions among employees. In our conceptual model, we draw upon social identity and social exclusion research to propose that linguistic diversity increases the potential for language-based exclusion in multilingual work settings. Language may cue listeners to ethnic or cultural stereotypes as well as negatively affect perceptions of speakers’ competence, leading listeners to exclude speakers of certain languages. We contend that when excluded, perception of oneself can be cast in an antagonistic relation to perceptions of others, with detrimental effects on prosocial behaviors. Perceptions of procedural unfairness, a weakened identity, and impaired mood serve to amplify the association between language-based exclusion and prosocial behaviors. However, organizational factors such as positive diversity climate may mitigate experiences with language-based exclusion. We outline an agenda for future research and discuss implications for human resource practice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual model for conducting research on how human resource and hiring managers form impressions of overqualified individuals and how these impressions affect their treatment of overqualified individuals during selection decisions. Design/methodology/approach – Given the central role of psychological processes within the proposed model, this conceptual paper builds on a social cognition approach. Findings – The proposed model consists of seven primary factors that can help propel research that is dynamic and contextually driven: attributes of the overqualified individual; job attributes; observers’ cognitive overqualification schemas; observers’ attitudes; observers’ categorization processes; the organizational context; and individual factors, all of which influence the observers’ treatment of overqualified individuals. Originality/value – Most research has focussed on individual-level outcomes of overqualification such as job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and physical and psychological health, while overlooking how organizational decision makers perceive overqualification and how this subsequently affects the likelihood of individuals being selected for an interview. Given the global growth in the number of overqualified workers, understanding antecedents and correlates of overqualification and how these affect organizational selection decisions is a pressing need. The proposed model outlines several factors that can help us better understand the phenomenon of overqualification.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to estimate the incremental value of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) in aiding treatment decisions in a specific cohort of patients with lower esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who were considered for potentially curative treatment on the basis of conventional imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included patients referred for a staging F-FDG PET/CT who were considered for potentially curative treatment (neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy) by a multidisciplinary tumor board. The proportion of patients with M1b disease (American Joint Committee on Cancer, 6th ed.) detected on F-FDG PET/CT was calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of F-FDG PET/CT for M1b disease were calculated. PET/CT findings were verified with histopathological analysis; when it was not possible to obtain pathological confirmation, correlative imaging or follow-up imaging studies were used for validation. RESULTS A total of 156 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were analyzed. F-FDG PET/CT detected M1b disease in 25 patients (16%), changing the intent of treatment from potentially curative to palliative. In five patients, PET/CT failed to detect distant metastases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of F-FDG PET/CT for detecting M1b disease were 83.3, 98.4, 92.5, 96.1, and 95.3%, respectively. Additional surgical procedures (hemicolectomy and polypectomy) were performed in three patients because of the detection of a second primary cancer in the colon in two patients and a colonic dysplastic polyp in one patient. CONCLUSION In patients who are considered to be potentially curable after conventional imaging, F-FDG PET/CT can detect unsuspected sites of distant metastases (M1b) in a significant number of cases and thus contribute to the clinical decision-making process. PET/CT should be an integral part of the staging workup of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

This study seeks to outline activities of training and placement agencies in India aimed at employment of persons with a disability. We contend that persons with a disability are an underutilized human resource and that utilizing their abilities should be a key part of an inclusive approach to talent management. As there is little empirical research on this subject, our approach is exploratory and we seek to create a platform for further studies. A key finding of the study is the preference of agencies to engage in non-traditional and ad hoc approaches to build and showcase underutilized talent of those with a disability. Based on present findings and the contextual approach to talent management, a more comprehensive agenda for future research areas in inclusive talent management is outlined.

People with disabilities (PWD) tend to experience less career success than their counterparts without a disability, and their talent and skill remain underutilized. Disability literature also outlines various barriers to careers of PWD. Yet there are those who successfully manage their careers. Our aim in the present interview-based study was to understand which strategies PWD engage in to manage their careers proactively. Findings indicate that strategies include maintaining a positive mind-set; trouncing competence stereotypes by sensitizing people to their ability through learning and applying new skills, and by seeking feedback; engaging in disability advocacy to remove performance myths; and building, leveraging, and contributing to disability networks. We noted gender and tenure differences with regard to strategies employed. Findings imply that career objectives of PWD are not those traditionally expected or lauded by organizations, and motivations for career self-management are unique to PWD as compared to those without a disability

This presenter symposium features five research studies by well-known disability scholars on the inclusion and workplace experiences of persons with disabilities. The studies represent disability-s...

Anchored in institutional theory, our aim in the present study was to understand how large and economically successful organizations in India engage with the issue of disability within and outside of their organizational boundaries, and communicate such engagements through their annual reports. Based on a qualitative content analysis of the organizations' annual reports for the year 2009–2010, we examined if these organizations spoke about recruitment and other organizational treatment of people with disabilities (internal focus), and if they engaged with issues related to disability in the realm of corporate social responsibility (external focus). We found that, despite no institutional pressures, organizations engaged with disability-specific issues both internally and externally. While we found differences with respect to organizational age and sector (public and private sector), we did not find any differences in the engagement and communication of activities based on organizational industry type and ...

In this work, a theoretical model describing the interaction between a positively or negatively charged nanoparticle and neutral zwitterionic lipid bilayers is presented. It is shown that in the close vicinity of the positively charged nanoparticle, the zwitterionic lipid headgroups are less extended in the direction perpendicular to the membrane surface, while in the vicinity of the negatively charged nanoparticle, the headgroups are more extended. This result coincides with the calculated increase in the osmotic pressure between the zwitterionic lipid surface and positively charged nanoparticle and the decrease of osmotic pressure between the zwitterionic lipid surface and the negatively charged nanoparticle. Our theoretical predictions agree well with the experimentally determined fluidity of a lipid bilayer membrane in contact with positively or negatively charged nanoparticles. The prospective significance of the present work is mainly to contribute to better understanding of the interactions of charged nanoparticles with a zwitterionic lipid bilayer, which may be important in the efficient design of the lipid/nanoparticle nanostructures (like liposomes with encapsulated nanoparticles), which have diverse biomedical applications, including targeted therapy (drug delivery) and imaging of cancer cells.

Many people with disabilities continue being unemployed or underemployed. One way to rectify this situation is through leveraging the services of disability training and placement agencies which can appropriately train candidates with a disability and then connect them with potential employers. Unfortunately, employers profess ignorance about the availability of such services, such service agencies, and continue being wary of employing people with disabilities. In the present article, based on interviews with twelve policy makers in five agencies, we examine services offered by such agencies. Results showed that agencies engage in the following four roles when trying to secure employment for candidates with a disability- the Facilitator, the Trainer, the Marketer, and the Partner. Based on present findings, we note a few broad recommendations for employers with regards formulating their disability policies.

PurposePast research has largely portrayed job choice as a relatively rational and goal‐directed behavior where applicants make decisions contingent on organizational recruitment activities, or evaluations of job and organizational attributes. Research now informs us that job choice decisions may also be based on social comparisons and social influence. The purpose of this paper is to add to this body of knowledge by examining reasons why social influence is a key factor in job choice decisions of relatively young job seekers.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on in‐depth interview data from graduating seniors at an elite business school in India.FindingsRespondents did not see themselves as acting based on social influence as much as they perceived others around them to be. Reasons they noted for others’ socially influenced job choice decisions were: peers and seniors are seen as more accessible and trustworthy than organizations; organizations do not share all and/or objective data, driving job seekers to other sources; job seekers are clueless and hence follow a “smart” herd; and job seekers make decisions for social status signaling. Respondents pointed to socially influenced job choices as being rational behaviors under certain conditions.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralizability of findings may be limited to young job seekers or to the Indian context, and the authors encourage replication. The authors also acknowledge the importance of individual difference variables in job choice decisions, a factor not considered in the present research.Practical implicationsGiven that job seekers rally around others’ notion of an attractive job or an organization, the paper outlines several implications for managerial practice.Originality/valueThis study, in a yet unexamined cultural context, points to the simultaneous and combined importance of normative and informational social determinants of job choice, bias blind spots in one's own job choice perceptions and decisions, gender specific socialization influences on job choices, and the notion of job fit in terms of fitment with expectations of important reference groups.

Nanostructured TiO

Surface topography and physicochemical properties such as adhesion, cohesion and wettability is presumed to alter/facilitate the protein binding, cell adhesion and proliferation, thereby reducing post-operative complications with increased lifespan of biomedical implants.1 Current study examines the ageing behaviour of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes with various diameters and their switch in wettability by gaseous plasma treatment.Self-organized TiO2 nanotube layers were fabricated according to the electrochemical anodization method published earlier.2 The ethylene glycol based electrolytes were used for growing the nanostructures which contains specific amount of water and specific concentration of hydrofluoric acid. Anodization parameters such as applied voltage as well as experimental time were optimized to get desired diameters (15nm, 50nm and 100nm) of TiO2 nanotubes. As-anodized surfaces are hydrophilic and tend to age with time to more hydrophobic. Water contact angle measurements were performed during seven weeks period to study ageing behaviour as well as switch in wettability after gaseous plasma treatment. All the contact angle measurements were performed with demineralized water. The contact angle was measured by fitting the water drop on the surface. Surface wettability indeed switched after plasma treatment as the surface became hydrophilic. Changes in wettability after ageing were explained by organic contamination from ambient atmosphere, while hydrophilic character was obtained after plasma treatment due to removal of these contaminants. Moreover storing the samples in sealed container also influenced on their ageing profile.This current work provides solution and guidelines by which switch in wettability of TiO2 nanotubes can be achieved and can be employed in medical applications where hydrophilic character is desired for specific application, such as orthopedic implants.References:1. M. Ventre, F. Causa, P.A. Netti, J. R. Soc. Interface 9 (2012) 2017.2. Kulkarni M. et al. Int. J. Nanomed. 10 (2015)1359.

We examine the emergence and evolution of collective action frames in the palliative care movement in Kerala, India. We do so by leveraging secondary data published over seventeen years as well as interviews with thirty movement actors. Our findings suggest two key themes: First, frames that emerge at the grass-roots level, and in many occasions from bystanders, can become dominant frames of a movement. Second, frame alignment processes may be directed by non-elites towards the elites. These findings diverge from prior literature which emphasizes roles of movement leaders and key actors in framing issues and strategies.

Drawing upon in-depth interviews with forty-one respondents, the present study explores how different types of pre-entry relationships influence post-entry help-seeking of people with disabilities during the socialization period. Findings indicate that help-seeking is influenced by pre-entry relationships that persist post organizational entry and by coworkers who can trigger a self-perpetuating cycle of relational acceptance by the broader group of colleagues. Findings imply that pre-entry relationships with coworkers can offer newcomers relational benefits that are similar to those afforded to longer tenured employees. The study raises questions about optimal balance in workplace relationships and about social boundaries created by fairness considerations.

Organizational experts have long touted the importance of delivering negative performance feedback in a manner that enhances employee receptivity to feedback, yet the broader impacts of constructive feedback have received relatively little attention. The present investigation explored the impact of constructive, critical feedback on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) intentions and job satisfaction. A demographically diverse sample of 128 employees drawn from a variety of organizations completed a survey online. Employees whose supervisors used constructive feedback felt more respected by their supervisors and perceived greater opportunities for advancement within the organization. These variables, in turn, predicted better mood at work, greater job satisfaction, and stronger OCB intentions. The present findings highlight the importance of delivering performance feedback in a manner that emphasizes problematic behaviors over personal weaknesses and makes clear reference to standards and strategies for improvement. Implications for managerial training and human resource development are discussed.

We explore the role of social networks used by people with disabilities for finding employment. In addition, we outline obstacles to network building for those with a disability. We contend that this group is often constrained and they underutilize their networks during job searches. Both factors are likely to result in negative employment outcomes and contribute to the employment gap between those with and without a disability. We outline how key network characteristics such as homophily, tie strength, and centrality influence job search outcomes for those with a disability differently than for those without a disability. Furthermore, we propose that although individuals with disabilities develop and rely upon networks that are comprised of close bonds with similar individuals that are either unemployed or underemployed in lower status positions, optimal networks for employment purposes should consist of diverse acquaintances that occupy central positions and higher status jobs within organizations. Finally, we outline propositions to guide future research on this neglected topic and also suggest practical implications.

Although organizational social networks are known to influence career mobility, the specific direction of this influence is different for diverse employee groups. Diversity in organizational network research has been operationalized on various dimensions such as race and ethnicity, age, religion, education, occupation, and gender. Missing in this stream of research are application and implications of social networks as they influence career advancement of people with disabilities. The objective of this conceptual article is to outline how social network characteristics such as network density, multiplexity, cohesiveness, and homophily influence career advancement of individuals with a disability. The author concludes by proposing that human resource development professionals can engage in structured socialization programs, network audits, focused training, and the creation of an inclusive climate to ensure that social networks do not pose a deterrent to career advancement of minorities such as people with a disability.

We demonstrate that the hydrogen storage capacity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be enhanced by polyvinylpyrrolidone functionalization. The polyvinylpyrrolidone acts as a stabilizing agent for Pd-nanoparticles, reduces their size and facilitates their uniform and enhanced loading onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes. According to sorption studies, the polyvinylpyrrolidone capping and consequent nanostructural modification enables 2.3 times more hydrogen adsorption than mere Pd-functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Corresponding morphological changes before and after polyvinylpyrrolidone capping, characterized using Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, TEM and thermal analysis techniques, are also presented. The results contribute towards increasing the efficiency of hydrogen based sustainable energy sources.

Nanoscale topography in improving vascular response in vitro was established previously on various titanium surfaces. In the present study different surface nanotopographies that is different diameters of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanotubes (NTs) were fabricated by electrochemical anodization and conditioned with highly reactive gaseous oxygen plasma. The morphology of different diameter NTs was studied by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, while changes in chemical composition on the surface before and after plasma treatment were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Performance of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) on those conditioned surfaces was studied in regard to cell proliferation, released IL-6 protein and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). We show that HCAEC function is dependent on the diameter of the TiO2 NTs, functioning far less optimally when bound to 100 nm TiO2 NTs as compared to Ti foil, 15 nm NTs or 50 nm NTs. There were improved, morphological cell shape changes, observed with IFM, between HCAEC growing on oxygen-rich plasma-treated versus nontreated 100 nm NTs. These endothelialized conditioned Ti nanosurfaces could elucidate optimization conditions necessary for vascular implants in coronary arteries.

The objective of this article is to provide a framework of contextual factors that affect help seeking expectancies and behaviors of people with disabilities. In particular, drawing on theories from disciplines such as social, cognitive, and educational psychology, I outline work unit norms (i.e., dependence, inclusion) and coworker perceptions (i.e., similarity, fairness) that influence help seeking expectancies and behaviors of people with disabilities. I discuss theoretical extensions of the framework in terms of attributes of the person with a disability, effects of time, and the notion of an inclusionary environment for people with disabilities. Finally, I discuss implications for human resource development professionals.

Socialization has crucial outcomes for both the employee and the employer. Through an exploratory qualitative study conducted in India, we examined how people with disabilities (PWD) viewed various aspects of their socialization process. Specifically, we looked at the role of coworkers, supervisors, organizational practices, and employee proactive behaviors in influencing organizational integration. We found that integration was most influenced by coworkers and supervisors. Organizational practices and employee proactive behaviors were less important. Respondent gender and tenure also influenced certain findings. Specifically, PWD with less tenure sought and accepted more help from coworkers and supervisors. Further, more men with disabilities than women with disabilities indicated that they were proactive in terms of obtaining training to make themselves employable, and more men with disabilities indicated that having coworkers with a disability helped them during socialization. We discuss both theoretical and practical implications as well as future research directions based on our findings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In the present paper we explore how employees with physical disabilities and their human resource managers perceive practices aimed at entry, integration, and development of disabled employees. The results indicate that both sets of respondents want to treat people with disabilities as ‘regular’ employees and take attention away from disability. The results also indicate that employees would like to get additional help, but are afraid to ask. Employers do not offer additional support unless asked, not wanting to highlight the disability given fears of stigmatisation. Given this reluctance from both employees and employers, it is possible that people with disabilities remain an underutilised resource.

This presenter symposium features four research studies on the workplace experiences of persons with disabilities, their coworkers, and organizations. These studies shed new light on the interactio...

As employees' international mobility has increased, implementing repatriation processes has become a significant human resource (HR) issue. Through an exploratory study using a semi-structured interview method, we examine repatriated employees' views about HR activities that facilitate and hinder the repatriation process in the emerging economy of India. Respondents described lack of formal repatriation assistance, no contact person in HR to help with repatriation, and lack of re-entry culture-related training as characteristic of the repatriation process. Managing employees' expectations, along with creating a more sensitive, structured, and strategic HR function, are recommended to improve the repatriation process. From a theoretical perspective, results point to the multi-dimensionality of the repatriation construct and provide evidence of the context-specificity of HR practices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The retirement of baby boomers along with a smaller cohort group of young people replacing them poses a challenge for employers in the future—where will they find the workers they need? One largely untapped source of human resources is people with disabilities (PWDs). Why have employers mostly ignored this large labor pool? This research used a semistructured interview approach with 38 executives across a broad array of industries and geographic regions to examine why employers don't hire PWDs and what they believe can be done to change this situation. Results show that most employers are not very proactive in hiring PWDs and that most employers hold stereotypical beliefs not supported by research evidence. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

As complex systems, organizations exist far from equilibrium where the ongoing interaction of system components leads to emergent and self-organizing behavior. What, then, is the role of leadership in systems where change often emerges in unexpected ways? In this paper, we build on the work of Marion and Uhl-Bien who suggest that in complex systems leaders enable rather than control the future. While traditional views of leadership focus on the leader's responsibility for determining and directing the future through heavy reliance on control mechanisms, we offer empirical support for a different view of leadership based on a complexity perspective of organizations. Our findings show that as enablers, leaders disrupt existing patterns of behavior, encourage novelty, and make sense of emerging events for others. The results of our qualitative study include a set of research propositions as well as a discussion of the implications for managers and researchers.

A decision to offer breakfast to homeless people led to radical change in a church and its environment. Existing theories of change do not fully explain observations from our qualitative study; however, complexity theory constructs suggest how and why such change emerged. We offer four key findings. First, the radical change was unintended, emergent, and slow. Second, destabilizing conditions helped small changes to emerge and become radical. Third, subsequent actions amplified an initial small change and, though not intended to do so, promoted radical change. Finally, the dynamic interaction of amplifying actions, contextual conditions, and small changes led to continuous radical change.

Sterilization is the final surface treatment procedure of all implantable devices and is one of the key factors which have to be considered before implementation. Since different sterilization procedures for all implantable devices influence mechanical properties as well as biological response, the influence of different sterilization techniques on titanium nanotubes was studied. Commonly used sterilization techniques such as autoclaving, ultra-violet light sterilization, hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization as well as the not so frequently used gaseous oxygen plasma sterilization were used. Three different nanotube diameters; 15 nm, 50 nm and 100 nm were employed to study the effects of various sterilization techniques. It was observed that autoclave sterilization resulted in destruction of nanotubular features on all three studied nanotube diameters, while UV-light and both kinds of plasma sterilization did not cause any significant morphological changes on the surfaces. Differences between the sterilization techniques employed influenced cytocompatibility, especially in the case of nanotubes with 100 nm diameter.

This chapter examines workplace discrimination faced by persons with (dis)abilities. It begins by discussing usage, meaning, and effects of the word “disability” and the related term “persons with disabilities.” It then considers the diversity of conditions and experiences among persons with (dis)abilities by reviewing extant research on people with five common disabling conditions (i.e., mobility, seeing, hearing, chronic illness, and psychiatric conditions). It also examines the importance of national context by taking a closer look at research on the experiences of people with (dis)abilities in five nations (i.e., United States, Canada, Germany, India, and China). By separately highlighting extant research on a few common conditions and nations, the chapter’s intent is to show the need for more research on specific conditions in specific work and national contexts, as well as the need for research integrating and summarizing these focused studies.

Peri-implantitis and peri-mucositis pose a severe threat to the success of dental implants. Current research focuses on the development of surfaces that inhibit biofilm formation while not inferring with tissue integration. This study compared the adherence of two oral bacterial species, Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mutans to nanostructured titanium surfaces.The samples included TiO2 nanotubes formed by anodization of titanium foil of 100, 50 and 15nm diameter (NT15, NT50, NT100), a nanoporous (15nm pore diameter) surface and compact TiO2 control. Adherent surviving bacteria were enumerated after 1h in an artificial saliva medium containing bovine mucin.Lowest numbers of adherent bacteria of both species were recovered from the original titanium foil and nanoporous surface and highest numbers from the Ti100 nanotubes. Numbers of attached S. sanguinis increased in the order (NT15NT50NT100), correlated with increasing percentage of surface fluoride. The lowest adhesion of S. sanguinis and S. mutans on TiO2 nanostructured surfaces was observed for small diameter nanoporous surfaces which coincides with the highest osteoblast adhesion on small diameter nanotubular/nanoporous surfaces shown in previous work.This study indicates that the adherence of oral streptococci can be modified by titanium anodization and nanotube diameter.

Biomedical implants made of titanium-based materials are expected to have certain essential features including high bone-to-implant contact and optimum osteointegration, which are often influenced by the surface topography and physicochemical properties of titanium surfaces. The surface structure in the nanoscale regime is presumed to alter/facilitate the protein binding, cell adhesion and proliferation, thereby reducing post-operative complications with increased lifespan of biomedical implants. The novelty of our TiO2 nanostructures lies mainly in the high level control over their morphology and roughness by mere compositional change and optimisation of the experimental parameters. The present work focuses on the wetting behaviour of various nanostructured titanium surfaces towards water. Kinetics of contact area of water droplet on macroscopically flat, nanoporous and nanotubular titanium surface topologies was monitored under similar evaporation conditions. The contact area of the water droplet on hydrophobic titanium planar surface (foil) was found to decrease during evaporation, whereas the contact area of the droplet on hydrophobic nanorough titanium surfaces practically remained unaffected until the complete evaporation. This demonstrates that the surface morphology and roughness at the nanoscale level substantially affect the titanium dioxide surface–water droplet interaction, opposing to previous observations for microscale structured surfaces. The difference in surface topographic nanofeatures of nanostructured titanium surfaces could be correlated not only with the time-dependency of the contact area, but also with time-dependency of the contact angle and electrochemical properties of these surfaces.

Mukta Kulkarni,1,* Ajda Flašker,1,* Maruša Lokar,1 Katjuša Mrak-Poljšak,2 Anca Mazare,3 Andrej Artenjak,4 Saša Čučnik,2 Slavko Kralj,5 Aljaž Velikonja,1 Patrik Schmuki,3 Veronika Kralj-Iglič,6 Snezna Sodin-Semrl,2,7 Aleš Iglič11Laboratory of Biophysics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 2Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana,Ljubljana, Slovenia; 3Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany; 4Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals Mengeš, Lek Pharmaceuticals dd, Menges, Slovenia; 5Department for Materials Synthesis, Institute Jožef Stefan (IJS), Ljubljana, Slovenia; 6Faculty of Health Studies, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 7Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Science and Information Technology, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia *These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: Titanium and titanium alloys are considered to be one of the most applicable materials in medical devices because of their suitable properties, most importantly high corrosion resistance and the specific combination of strength with biocompatibility. In order to improve the biocompatibility of titanium surfaces, the current report initially focuses on specifying the topography of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes (NTs) by electrochemical anodization. The zeta potential (ζ-potential) of NTs showed a negative value and confirmed the agreement between the measured and theoretically predicted dependence of ζ-potential on salt concentration, whereby the absolute value of ζ-potential diminished with increasing salt concentrations. We investigated binding of various plasma proteins with different sizes and charges using the bicinchoninic acid assay and immunofluorescence microscopy. Results showed effective and comparatively higher protein binding to NTs with 100 nm diameters (compared to 50 or 15nm). We also showed a dose-dependent effect of serum amyloid A protein binding to NTs. These results and theoretical calculations of total available surface area for binding of proteins indicate that the largest surface area (also considering the NT lengths) is available for 100 nm NTs, with decreasing surface area for 50 and 15 nm NTs. These current investigations will have an impact on increasing the binding ability of biomedical devices in the body leading to increased durability of biomedical devices. Keywords: protein binding, serum amyloid A, β2-glycoprotein I, immunoglobulin G, histone IIA

Intracellular membranes exhibit complex, highly dynamic and non-lamellar morphologies.1 Structural resemblance of such membranes with bicontinuous cubic and hexagonal lipid phases has been recognised in past two decades.2 However, principles behind their dynamic organization and structural roles in cellular processes still remain elusive. Model membrane systems like liposomes, planar lipid bilayers and micelles have been largely used to interact various biomolecules to determine structures and functions of biomembrane systems.

A 30-year-old woman underwent Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy for evaluation of thyrotoxicosis. The scintigraphy revealed hypervascular thyroid gland with markedly increased trapping function in both the lobes suggesting diagnosis of Graves disease. Incidentally, a hypervascular and pertechnetate avid focus was seen along the lateral margin of the right parotid gland. Pertechnetate avidity and site of uptake suggested possibility of Warthin tumor. Clinical examination and ultrasonography revealed a well-defined lesion in the superficial lobe of the right parotid gland favoring diagnosis of benign lesion. Postsurgery specimen confirmed diagnosis of Warthin tumor.

Uptake in non-osseous, non-urologic tissues is occasionally found in the performance of bone scintigraphy. These uptakes reflect an atypical interaction between the radiopharmaceutical and the patient. Knowledge of the rare extraskeletal uptakes and their clinical relevance helps in better interpretation of bone scans. We report an unusual occurrence of extraosseous accumulation of 99m Tc-methylene diphosphonate in a phlebolith in bone scan, confirmed with the aid of photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography.

Based on interviews with thirty one senior expatriate managers working across diverse multinationals in India, we have outlined how expatriates proactively navigate a multilingual subsidiary environment. Findings indicate that expatriates who believe they have successfully charted the multilingual environment attempt to learn the local language, allow for hybrid forms of language and multilingualism, and yet also informally and formally engage in cultural and linguistic training of subsidiary employees. Overall, findings help problematize or defamiliarize extant assumptions which guide research on language in international business, and we call for more contextually specific language research in multinational organizations.

An interview-based study with 40 US respondents who have experienced severe hearing loss as adults was conducted to identify enablers of sustainable careers for professionals with adult onset disabilities. To sustain their careers, our respondents engaged in quests for meaning and big picture answers to who am I, and am I still successful. This included redefining themselves (e.g., I am now both a person with a disability and a successful professional) and career success (e.g., I now care about service to society as much as I care about material success). Respondents also adopted new work roles where disability was a key to success (e.g., becoming an equal employment officer) and utilized social networks to continue being successful. Such redefining of work and networks supported their quests for meaning and big picture answers. Findings not only indicate how individuals experience career success after a life changing event but also help de-familiarize extant notions of ableism in workplace contexts.

We report a case of oncogenic osteomalacia in which F-18 FDG PET imaging played a crucial role in detecting the occult neoplasm. A 39-year-old female patient presented with low backache and bilateral lower limb pain of 3-year duration. On evaluation, she was found to have hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and was referred for F-18 FDG PET scan because her initial clinical and radiologic evaluation failed to detect a tumor. F-18 FDG PET scan revealed a hypermetabolic focus in right popliteal fossa, which was correlated as a tumor in soft tissues of right popliteal fossa on magnetic resonance imaging. Following surgical excision of tumor, final histopathology revealed a benign phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of mixed connective tissue origin. Postoperatively, her symptoms alleviated and serum phosphates normalized within 2 weeks. We suggest that F-18 FDG PET should be performed in such cases to localize occult neoplasm that may be otherwise missed on conventional radiologic imaging.

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of electrostatic interactions between the nanoparticles and the membrane lipids on altering the physical properties of the liposomal membrane such as fluidity and bending elasticity. For this purpose, we have used nanoparticles and lipids with different surface charges. Positively charged iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, neutral and negatively charged cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles were encapsulated in neutral lipid 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and negatively charged 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine lipid mixture. Membrane fluidity was assessed through the anisotropy measurements using the fluorescent probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Though the interaction of both the types of nanoparticles reduced the membrane fluidity, the results were more pronounced in the negatively charged liposomes encapsulated with positively charged iron oxide nanoparticles due to strong electrostatic attractions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results also confirmed the presence of significant quantity of positively charged iron oxide nanoparticles in negatively charged liposomes. Through thermally induced shape fluctuation measurements of the giant liposomes, a considerable reduction in the bending elasticity modulus was observed for cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. The experimental results were supported by the simulation studies using modified Langevin-Poisson-Boltzmann model.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a rare, inherited, multisystem disorder that is characterized by development of a variety of benign and malignant tumors. We report an incidental detection of clinically occult pancreatic malignancy on FDG PET/CT in a patient of VHL who underwent restaging for a previously treated endolymphatic sac tumor.

In the present study the biological response to various nanotopographic features after gaseous plasma treatment were studied. The usefulness of nanostructured surfaces for implantable materials has already been acknowledged, while less is known on the combined effect of nanostructured plasma modified surfaces. In the present work the influence of oxygen plasma treatment on nanostructured titanium oxide (TiO2) surfaces was studied. Characterization of the TiO2 surface chemical composition and morphological features was analyzed after plasma modification by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and by scanning electron microscopy while surface wettability was studied with measuring the water contact angle. Cell adhesion and morphology was assessed from images taken with scanning electron microscopy, whereas cell viability was measured with a calorimetric assay. The obtained results showed that oxygen plasma treatment of TiO2 nanotube surfaces significantly influences the adhesion and morphology of osteoblast-like cells in comparison to untreated nanostructured surfaces. Marked changes in surface composition of plasma treated surfaces were observed, as plasma treatment removed hydrocarbon contamination and removed fluorine impurities, which were present due to the electrochemical anodization process. However no differences in wettability of untreated and plasma treated surfaces were noticed. Treatment with oxygen plasma stimulated osteoblast-like cell adhesion and spreading on the nanostructured surface, suggesting the possible use of oxygen plasma surface treatment to enhance osteoblast-like cell response.

A seminal paper on the treatment of persons with disabilities in organizations was published 20 years ago, in 1996, by Stone and Colella. Using their model as an organizing framework and baseline, ...

Extramedullary hematopoiesis refers to the presence of hematopoietic elements in locations other than the bone marrow medullary space. It occurs as a compensatory mechanism to impaired hematopoiesis resulting from a variety of pathological conditions. Because of the hazards of biopsy of a highly vascular hematopoietic mass, it is desirable to establish the diagnosis noninvasively. We report a case where 18F-fluoro-3'deoxy-L-thymidine PET/CT and 99mTc-SC scintigraphy were used as a noninvasive modality to diagnose extramedullary hematopoiesis.

One of the main limitations of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is false-positive tracer uptake by physiological and inflammatory conditions. Continuing FDG accumulation occurs in tumors, but not in inflammatory lesions, and dual time-point FDG PET can be useful for differentiating benign from malignant conditions. Experience is rather limited, and its application in the assessment of tumors inside peritoneal cavity has been rarely reported. We present 2 cases where dual time-point FDG PET imaging proved essential in differentiating intense physiological tracer uptake from peritoneal deposits in patients with intestinal obstruction.