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The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of work engagement and psychological empowerment as moderator variables on workforce agility in the State Civil Apparatus of organization X. The findings of the study reveal a significant positive relationship between work engagement and workforce agility. Psychological empowerment can have a positive effect on the regression value as a moderator. This study is quantitative and uses the Moderation Regression Analysis (MRA) technique with the SPSS 23 application. The measuring instruments used are the Workforce Agility Scale (Sherehiy, 2008) to measure workforce agility, the Psychological Empowerment Scale (Spreitzer, 1995) to measure psychological empowerment, and the UWES-17 (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004) to measure work engagement. To enhance and optimize research results, additional methods are required to obtain in-depth information. Future research should conduct interviews with relevant parties to ensure and strengthen the phenomenon under study.

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of Internet traffic growth and behavior in Ecuador over five years, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this trend. This period allows us to analyze the behavior of the Internet before, during, and after the pandemic from a quantitative point of view, given that a study related to this topic has not been presented in the country in recent years. This study examines the fundamental concepts of autonomous systems (AS) and Internet exchange points. AEPROVI (Association of Internet Service Providers, Value-added Services, Carriers, and Information Technologies) provides the data for traffic analysis. This data has allowed us to analyze the distribution of assigned and utilized IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, local prefix exchanges of major AS, and bit rate capacities used by major Internet Service Providers. In addition, this study investigates how the pandemic increased the demand for virtual education and telework, resulting in an unanticipated surge in Internet traffic that placed additional burdens on existing infrastructure. The paper also highlights how ISPs responded by increasing the capacity of their links, resulting in a significant increase in the bit rate (throughput) used during the study period.

The changes in the order of people's lives after the Covid-19 pandemic stimulated the government to find the right policy direction, especially related to the work system of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN). Efforts to build a more adaptive work mechanism in dealing with crises initially created a Flexible Working Arrangement (FWA) policy which was implemented with Work From Home (WFH) as stated in the KemenPANRB Circular Number 19 of 2020 concerning Adjustment of the ASN System in Efforts to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 The implementation of this policy has succeeded in achieving performance so that in the long term the government plans to implement a new work system model in the current New Normal era, namely Work From Anywhere (WFA). Later, ASN can work according to their convenience to improve the performance and better quality of public services. This formulation is also the embodiment of Industry 5.0 in work culture, so instead of closing oneself off from a restrictive system and working time, people can align it with the ever-evolving technology infrastructure as part of the reform agenda set out in Presidential Regulation No. 81 2010. This study uses a normative legal research method with an approach to legislation and literature study and uses descriptive analysis in managing qualitative data by applying a deductive method. The study results explain that the WFA concept is a new step for the government with a monitoring and evaluation system for ASN Number 8 of 2022. Furthermore, it is recommended to form a PermenPANRB. It is hoped that it will not only be a temporary solution but future-oriented in improving the performance of ASN based on the actual result.

Dalam mewujudkan kebijakan Sistem Pemerintahan Berbasis Elektronik (SPBE) dan Satu Data ASN di Indonesia, Badan Kepegawaian Negara (BKN) sebagai instansi pemerintah pembina Aparatur Sipil Negara (ASN) perlu melakukan pengelolaan data secara akurat, terkini, dan terintegrasi melalui aplikasi MySAPK berbasis Android. Seiring berjalannya waktu, pengguna mengalami berbagai kendala dalam menggunakan aplikasi dan menuliskan ulasannya pada fitur Rating & Review di Google Play Store. Dalam rentang waktu 9 Mei 2017 hingga 18 Oktober 2021, terdapat 4.778 ulasan yang dituliskan oleh pengguna. Makalah ini menganalisis sentimen pada ulasan pengguna aplikasi MySAPK. Tahapan-tahapan yang dilakukan dimulai dari pengumpulan data, pelabelan data (anotasi), prapemrosesan data, ekstraksi fitur kata, pemodelan klasifikasi, evaluasi pemodelan, analisis sentimen, hingga penyusunan hasil rekomendasi. Dari hasil pemodelan klasifikasi sentimen menggunakan naïve Bayes dan support vector machine (SVM), didapatkan tingkat akurasi masing-masing sebesar 92,47% dan 94,14%. Hasil pengukuran sentimen menunjukkan bahwa pengguna memberikan ulasan bersentimen positif sebanyak 2.118 (44,3%) dan ulasan bersentimen negatif sebanyak 2.660 (55,7%). Di antara faktor penyebab pengguna menuliskan ulasan bersentimen positif adalah aplikasi yang sangat bagus, dapat memberikan manfaat, mempermudah dalam mengisi dan menyimpan data ASN, serta ucapan terima kasih kepada BKN. Sebaliknya, faktor penyebab pengguna menuliskan ulasan bersentimen negatif di antaranya adalah meminta tolong agar aplikasi diperbaiki, kesulitan dalam mengakses, gagal dalam mengisi dan melakukan pemutakhiran data, serta terjadi kesalahan pada server. Untuk mengatasi kendala tersebut, makalah ini merekomendasikan agar kapasitas server pendukung dapat ditingkatkan dan pemutakhiran versi terbaru diluncurkan untuk memperbaiki bug aplikasi. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi acuan BKN dalam mengevaluasi dan meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan ASN melalui aplikasi MySAPK.

The aim of this paper is to study the role of citation network measures in the assessment of scientific maturity. Referring to the case of the Italian national scientific qualification (ASN), we investigate if there is a relationship between citation network indices and the results of the researchers' evaluation procedures. In particular, we want to understand if network measures can enhance the prediction accuracy of the results of the evaluation procedures beyond basic performance indices. Moreover, we want to highlight which citation network indices prove to be more relevant in explaining the ASN results, and if quantitative indices used in the citation-based disciplines assessment can replace the citation network measures in non-citation-based disciplines. Data concerning Statistics and Computer Science disciplines are collected from different sources (ASN, Italian Ministry of University and Research, and Scopus) and processed in order to calculate the citation-based measures used in this study. Then, we apply logistic regression models to estimate the effects of network variables. We find that network measures are strongly related to the results of the ASN and significantly improve the explanatory power of the models, especially for the research fields of Statistics. Additionally, citation networks in the specific sub-disciplines are far more relevant than those in the general disciplines. Finally, results show that the citation network measures are not a substitute of the citation-based bibliometric indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrality ASN (Aparatur Sipil Negara) is one of the most important part in the politics of this. But in fact during these many ASN that is not neutral because of weak laws that can ensnare ASN and because Bawaslu (Badan Pengawas Pemilu) and Panwaslu (Panitia Pengawas Pemilu) cannot reach the whole activity of the ASN leads to neutrality. To that end, the necessary optimal synergy between law enforcers in order to enforce the law firmly of the ASN that is not neutral in order to achieve a healthy democratic party and based on the principle of luberjurdil (langsung, bebas, rahasia, jujur, dan adil) which have mandated in the legislation.

Penelitian ini menganalisis tingkat profesionalitas Aparatur Sipil Negara (ASN) di Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan dan Penelitian Pengembangan Daerah (BAPPEDA) Provinsi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini mengacu pada penghitungan Indeks Profesionalitas Aparatur Sipil Negara (IP ASN). Data bersumber dari Kuesioner IP ASN seluruh PNS di lingkungan BAPPEDA yang berjumlah 74 Orang. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa profesionalitas ASN BAPPEDA masuk dalam kategori sedang dengan nilai IP ASN BAPPEDA rata-rata 72,90. Dari Keempat dimensi yang ada, BAPPEDA unggul di Dimensi Disiplin dengan tidak ada PNS yang menerima hukuman disiplin, Dimensi Kinerja mayoritas memperoleh predikat baik, dan Dimensi Kualifikasi dengan jenjang pendidikan yang telah memenuhi syarat jabatan. Kemudian Dimensi Kompetensi melihat adanya 1 (satu) pejabat struktural belum melaksanakan Diklat Kepemimpinan dan 7 pejabat fungsional belum melaksanakan Diklat Fungsional, 57 persen sudah mengikuti diklat teknis, dan 72 persen sudah mengikuti seminar/workshop. Peningkatan pengembangan kompetensi diperlukan dalam rangka meningkatkan profesionalitas pegawai.

Indonesia is facing the Industrial Revolution 4.0 which affects aspects of human life. This era is often characterized by the condition of VUCA, which stands for Volatility (turbulence), Uncertainty (uncertainty), Complexity (complex), and Ambiguity (unclear). The importance of increasing competence in the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) and the impact of the VUCA era will also be increasingly felt. with the aim that ASN with qualified leadership qualities. This research is intended to provide management recommendations to improve the professionalism of ASN. This type of research is qualitative (doctrinal). Qualitative normative research is intended to formulate the basic problems being faced by using a measurable analytical knife. The results of this paper are recommendations for succession management which are suggested to be implemented in government agencies as well as the work culture of ASN in the future by obtaining appropriate cadres of leaders in facing the challenges of changing eras.

Budget refocusing becomes a problem when program activities cannot be realized according to the target. The effect is to affect the volume of employees to work. Facing this, it is very important to see how ASN can work optimally in the midst of budget constraints. This study looks at the dimensions of qualification, competence, performance and discipline. The purpose of this study is to find out how the performance of ASN in the face of budget refocusing by looking at the four dimensions. The method is descriptive qualitative, the respondents come from elements of the central government and local government which are recorded in the goggle form application. The results of the study were analyzed that the qualification dimension relates between education and class, the competency dimension measures the competence of ASN from their position, the performance dimensions of respondents who already know refocusing information are 66.53% and 62.50% are of the opinion that budget refocusing affects performance, and 81.65 % approve the refocusing policy. The discipline dimension talks about activity planning, independent study and work innovation. The findings of the study are First, ASN continues to carry out activities as usual even though refocusing has been carried out, Second, ASN productivity is shown by budget realization and achievement of fulfilling annual credit scores for researchers, Third General functional officials carry out action plans in dealing with the situation by shifting non-priority activities into activities that are output based. The suggestion is that the first is integrated managerial planning, the second is output-based research. The third is realizing comprehensive work innovation. Thus the achievement of the institution and the target of the institution will be achieved without reducing its usefulness.

Primary vaginal melanoma is an extremely rare gynaecological malignancy comprising less than 0.2% of all melanomas. Vaginal melanoma is a very rare and aggressive type of gynecologic cancer. To date there is very limited literature regarding this topic due to small number of cases. Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina usually occurs in women aged in their 60s or 70s, with the majority of patients being postmenopausal. Patients commonly complain of vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge or a palpable mass. The gold standard of diagnosis is established by pathologic examination. Management of vaginal melanoma depends on its staging. In early disease, tumor can be removed by wide localized excision with tumor free margin 1-2 cm depending on Breslow depth. In advanced disease, a radical surgery in addition to adjuvant therapy (chemo-, radio-, or immunotherapy) is performed. Currently, there is no optimal treatment regimen for vaginal melanoma. We present a case report of a 49-years-old female with vaginal melanoma stage IVA with urethral involvement and inguinal lymph node infiltration. We decided to perform radical surgery consisting of total hysterectomy, vaginectomy and urethral augmentation with pedicle flap from ileum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the brain, α‐synuclein (aSN) partitions between free unbound cytosolic and membrane bound forms modulating both its physiological and pathological role and complicating its study due to structural heterogeneity. Here, we use an interdisciplinary, synergistic approach to characterize the properties of aSN:lipid mixtures, isolated aSN:lipid co‐structures, and aSN in mammalian cells. Enabled by the isolation of the membrane‐bound state, we show that within the previously described N‐terminal membrane anchor, membrane interaction relies both on an N‐terminal tail (NTT) head group layer insertion of 14 residues and a folded‐upon‐binding helix at the membrane surface. Both binding events must be present; if, for example, the NTT insertion is lost, the membrane affinity of aSN is severely compromised and formation of aSN:lipid co‐structures hampered. In mammalian cells, compromised cooperativity results in lowered membrane association. Thus, avidity within the N‐terminal anchor couples N‐terminal insertion and helical surface binding, which is crucial for aSN membrane interaction and cellular localization, and may affect membrane fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretically, bureaucracy should be neutral from political affairs. This neutrality should be implemented by current regime. In fact, ASN (civil servant) is prohibited to get involved in political activity such as attending political campaign and activity (including non-campaign activity such as taking picture with the campaign participant, etc). According to researchers, this ban is similar with as if the ASN is prohibited from having political preferences, and this is contrary to the nature of humans as zoon politicon (political being). Besides, neutrality also embraced non-civil servant whom has be in charge on governmental institution such as Village Head (Kepala Desa) and his/her apparatus, including Village Council (Badan Permusyawaratan Desa). Even if it is prohibited, in 2019 general election, the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) found 1096 cases violation which is committed by ASN, TNI and Polri. The discussion of this research will only focus on civil servant disobedience on neutrality towards political affairs. How neutrality regulation affected ASN? Why does it difficult to actualize ASN neutrality. The research question will be answered by the library method of studying the rules relating to ASN neutrality and also books on bureaucracy and politics. This research shows that rule according to neutrality on Law no 5 in 2014 related to ASN only mentioned that ASN is prohibited to be member and political party committee. However, the rules below which are reinforced by Law No. 7 of 2017 concerning Elections keeps ASN from having political preferences, even the ranks of village government are treated the same as ASN. Another thing that makes the ASN neutrality difficult is that the career position of an ASN is determined by the Regional Head who is a political official who acts as a PPK (Officer of Staff Assessment). The rules that exist after the issuance of Law No. 5 of 2014 concerning ASN should be revised and PPK should be the Regional Secretary not the Regional Head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State Civil Servants Apparatus (ASN) have to be more integrity, professional, neutral and capable to carrying out a public service to the community. It was an important one that can be optimized through development of human capital. Based on previous research investigated role of Human Capital towards Services and performance of Public Service, shows that staff and head divison level only has moderate degree of human capital. While, Emotional Capital was a most dominan aspect in Human Capital. Otherwise, Social Capital aspects results in the low level. It comes with consequences to optimized them through psychological intervention with group Employee Coaching and Counseling Program (ECCP). This study was action research, experimental one group preteset and postest design. The result shows that ECCP was contribute effectively to enhance Human Capital, particularly in Emotional Capital optimization.

Background The 2010 reform of the Italian university system introduced the National Scientific Habilitation (ASN) as a requirement for applying to permanent professor positions. Since the CVs of the 59,149 candidates and the results of their assessments have been made publicly available, the ASN constitutes an opportunity to perform analyses about a nation-wide evaluation process. Objective The main goals of this paper are: (i) predicting the ASN results using the information contained in the candidates’ CVs; (ii) identifying a small set of quantitative indicators that can be used to perform accurate predictions. Approach Semantic technologies are used to extract, systematize and enrich the information contained in the applicants’ CVs, and machine learning methods are used to predict the ASN results and to identify a subset of relevant predictors. Results For predicting the success in the role of associate professor, our best models using all and the top 15 predictors make accurate predictions (F-measure values higher than 0.6) in 88% and 88.6% of the cases, respectively. Similar results have been achieved for the role of full professor. Evaluation The proposed approach outperforms the other models developed to predict the results of researchers’ evaluation procedures. Conclusions Such results allow the development of an automated system for supporting both candidates and committees in the future ASN sessions and other scholars’ evaluation procedures.

Rationale & Objective: Cystatin C is recommended for measuring estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) when estimates based on creatinine (eGFR cr ) are not thought to be accurate enough for clinical decision making. While global adoption is slow, routine cystatin C testing in Sweden has been available for over a decade, providing real-world evidence about the magnitude of differences between eGFR cys and eGFR cr and their association with clinical outcomes., Study Design: Observational study., Setting & Participants: 158,601 adults (48% women; mean age 62 years, eGFR cr 80, and eGFR cys 73mL/min/1.73/m 2 ) undergoing testing for creatinine and cystatin C on the same day in connection with a health care encounter during 2010-2018 in Stockholm, Sweden., Exposure: Percentage difference of eGFR cys minus eGFR cr (eGFR diff )., Outcome: Kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT), acute kidney injury (AKI), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), heart failure, and death., Analytical Approach: Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression., Results: Discordances between eGFR cr and eGFR cys were common, with eGFR cys being lower than eGFR cr (negative eGFR diff ) in most cases (65%). Patients with larger negative eGFR diff were older, more often female, with higher eGFR cr and albuminuria, and more comorbid conditions. Compared with patients with similar eGFR cys and eGFR cr , the lowest quartile (eGFR cys > 27% lower than eGFR cr ) had the higher HR of all study outcomes: AKI, 2.6 (95% CI, 2.4-2.9); KFRT, 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2-1.6); ASCVD, 1.4 (95% CI, 1.3-1.5); heart failure, 2.0 (95% CI, 1.9-2.2); and all-cause death, 2.6 (95% CI, 2.5-2.7). Conversely, patients in the highest quartile (positive eGFR diff ) were at lower risk., Limitations: Observational study, lack of information on indications for cystatin C testing., Conclusions: Cystatin C testing in routine care shows that many patients have a lower eGFR cys than eGFR cr , and these patients have a higher risk of multiple adverse outcomes., Plain-Language Summary: Clinicians require guidance when there are discrepancies between the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on creatinine (eGFR cr ) and based on cystatin C (eGFR cys ) in the same individual. Routine cystatin C testing in Sweden for over a decade permits exploration of how common and large these discrepancies are, and their associations with adverse clinical outcomes. In this observational study, we found that discordances between eGFR cys and eGFR cr are common, and 1 in 4 patients tested had an eGFR cys > 28% lower than their eGFR cr . We also show that an eGFR cys that is lower than the eGFR cr consistently identifies patients at higher risk of adverse outcomes, including cardiovascular events, kidney replacement therapy, acute kidney injury, and death., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Key message: Arabidopsis photorespiratory gene AtAGT1 is important for the growth and development of root, the non-photosynthetic organ, and it is involved in a complex metabolic network and salt resistance. AtAGT1 in Arabidopsis encodes an aminotransferase that has a wide range of donor:acceptor combinations, including Asn:glyoxylate. Although it is one of the photorespiratory genes, its encoding protein has been suggested to function also in roots to metabolize Asn. However, experimental data are still lacking. In this study, we investigated experimentally the function of AtAGT1 in roots and our results uncovered its importance in root development during seedling establishment after seed germination. Overexpression of AtAGT1 in roots promoted both the growth of primary root and outgrowth of lateral roots. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying, amino acid content and gene expression in roots were analyzed, and results revealed that AtAGT1 is involved in a complex metabolic network and salt resistance of roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leydig cell tumours of the ovary are rare and represent a diagnostic challenge not only due to their sporadic incidence but also due to the seemingly normal imaging. We present three cases of pre- and postmenopausal women who were presented with severe clinical signs of hyperandogenism where modern imaging modalities (including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT)) failed to identify the tumour. Two patients underwent non-expert ultrasound, CT and MRI examination with uniform conclusion that ovaries are of normal appearance. One of the two patients even had a PET-CT performed, which was inconclusive. Our case reports show the importance of examination by specialists with established skills in gynaecologic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the Leydig cell tumours. The most useful diagnostic tool seems to be the combination of age (postmenopause), symptoms (onset of hirsutism and virilisation), high total testosterone plasma values and expert sonography. On ultrasound, these tumours are unilateral, usually small, solid intraovarian nodules of a slightly increased echogenicity in contrast to the surrounding ovarian tissue, delineated by abundant perfusion with an enhanced vascularity. The appropriate setting of the sensitive colour Doppler is crucial for the detection of intraovarian Leydig cell tumour. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? A diagnosis of Leydig cell tumours is based on ultrasound performed by a trained examiner or by MRI. CT or PET/CT are not among the primary methods of choice. According to the results of imaging investigations surgical treatment is planned. Because these tumours are usually benign and have a good prognosis the unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is a standard procedure. What do the results of this study add? Our case series show how difficult it can be to establish the diagnosis of Leydig cell tumours by imaging, including transvaginal ultrasound, the most frequently recommended diagnostic tool. We demonstrate in three cases how easily a small hyperechogenic tumour can be overseen or interchanged for a different gynaecological pathology if transvaginal scan is not performed by an experienced examiner trained in sonographic features of gynaecologic neoplasms. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This case series demonstrate how important it is to see the patient in the whole complexity with their medical history, proper clinical symptoms evaluation, laboratory test and not to rely solely just on sophisticated high-end investigations, such as the PET-CT, a CT and an MRI. It also emphasises the importance of specialists with established skills in gynaecologic ultrasonography. Further effort should be made to define the resources for the appropriate training of such sonographers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to provide an overview of the research activity, in terms of productivity and impact, of the Italian public universities and their academic staff in the engineering sector (EngSec), that is about seven thousand researchers. Beyond the increased bibliometric performance of the considered research area in the last decade, attention will be focused on the possible feedback on publication habits induced by regulations which progressively introduced, in the research world, strong competitiveness elements, such as evaluation exercises, covering both the single researcher career and the funding system. The effects of this feedback are also explored from the point of view of the self-citation phenomenon, which is said to increasingly affect the research world at large. The EngSec is analyzed both as a whole and decomposed in cultural areas to give a more comprehensive view of this important cultural segment of the academia. In 10 years, the productivity of the sector in term of Scopus documents is roughly doubled, with a consistent shift from conference papers to journal articles. The impact also showed a similar trend with self-citations exposing an evident peak in the year 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research; first, to analyse the role of Civil Service Advisor Officials and Authorized Officials in the development system as mentioned in the State Apparatus Law. Second, to identify the implementation of civil servant development system that conducted by the government. This research used descriptive qualitative approach with informants from the public human resources academician and practitioners from human resources managers in several government agencies. The technique used to take the research data was using Focus Group Discussion and interview. The research results show; first, state apparatus development system was conducted by civil service Advisor Official whose role is as decision maker and authorized officials whose role is as technical policy executives. Second, the ongoing state apparatus development system in the government environment is ignoring the merit system. The recommendation of the research; first providing the ASN management code of conduct and a coordination between civil service advisor official and authorized officials in conducting their roles and function. Second, the supervisory institution (Supervisory Deputy in BKN) monitor the implementation of ASN management intensively, and pose a sanction against all form of breach in the ASN management.

The conflict in the Italian university system. Interview with Prof. Francesco Coniglione on the conflict in the Italian university system: old cooption, new selection systems with evaluation criteria for researchers’ recruitment. The Interview of Prof. Coniglione still demonstrates deficiencies in new automatic evaluation criteria and in current selection procedures for young researchers, which put at risk the transparency of these procedures

The Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN) was introduced as a prerequisite for applying for tenured associate or full professor positions at state-recognized universities. The ASN is meant to attest that an individual has reached a suitable level of scientific maturity to apply for professorship positions. A five member panel, appointed for each scientific discipline, is in charge of evaluating applicants by means of quantitative indicators of impact and productivity, and through an assessment of their research profile. Many concerns were raised on the appropriateness of the evaluation criteria, and in particular on the use of bibliometrics for the evaluation of individual researchers. Additional concerns were related to the perceived poor quality of the final evaluation reports. In this paper we assess the ASN in terms of appropriateness of the applied methodology, and the quality of the feedback provided to the applicants. We argue that the ASN is not fully compliant with the best practices for the use of bibliometric indicators for the evaluation of individual researchers; moreover, the quality of final reports varies considerably across the panels, suggesting that measures should be put in place to prevent sloppy practices in future ASN rounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Clinical simulation affords valuable practice with the process of clinical decision-making. Participation in the simulation experience often includes various roles (e.g., primary nurse; observer) as well as familiar and unfamiliar situations. Method This study used a quantitative, mixed factorial design. Results Role did not impact clinical decision-making accuracy on the familiar situation. On the unfamiliar situation, observers outperformed other roles, whereas family members were markedly less accurate. Conclusion These results emphasize the need for students to rotate through various roles and for educators to consider the nature and goal of the scenario when deciding what types of roles to assign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments of peptides, the formation of c- and z-ions originating from N Cα bond cleavage of the peptide backbone is unusual, whereas b- and y-ions are often observed in positive-ion CID spectra. Here we report that characteristic product c- and z-ions can be observed in negative-ion CID spectra of peptides with Asp and Asn residues. The negative c- and z-ions are mainly generated at the N Cα bond of Xxx-Asp and Xxx-Asn residues that are classified as the flexible amino acids in protein chemistry. In the absence of any acidic amino acid residues, negative-ion CID spectra show dominant c-ion peaks originating from cleavage at the N Cα bond lying in between the 3rd and 4th residues from the C-terminus of analyte peptides. It is proposed that the N Cα bond cleavage leading to the formation of c- and/or z-ions is caused by the negative charge located on the amide nitrogen, which generated with an intra-molecular hydrogen abstraction from the backbone amide regions due to negative-charged acidic functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN) was introduced in 2010 as part of a major reform of the national university system. Under the new regulation, the scientific qualification for a specific role (associate or full professor) and field of study is required to apply for a permanent professor position. The ASN is peculiar since it makes use of bibliometric indicators with associated thresholds as one of the parameters used to assess applicants. The first round of the ASN received 59,149 applications, and the results have been made publicly available for a short period of time, including the values of the quantitative indicators for each applicant. The availability of this wealth of information provides an opportunity to draw a fairly detailed picture of a nation-wide evaluation exercise, and to study the impact of the bibliometric indicators on the qualification results. In this paper, we provide a first account of the Italian National Scientific Qualification from a quantitative point of view. We show that significant differences exist among scientific disciplines, in particular with respect to the fraction of qualified applicants, that cannot be easily explained. Furthermore, we describe some issues related to the definition and use of the bibliometric indicators and the corresponding thresholds. Our analysis aims at drawing attention to potential problems that should be addressed by decision-makers in future rounds of the ASN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic social networking (ASN) sites are becoming a popular communication medium among scholars. This case study was designed to explore communication behaviors of physicists, linguists, and sociologists on an ASN site called Academia.edu, their motivations for using it, and the perceived impact of their use of the site on their professional activities. Results from this study are valuable for designing computer-mediated and web-based communication media for scholars and also for adding richness to the literature related to scholarly communication. For the purpose of this study, data was collected using three different instruments: Server log, survey, and interview. Data used for analyses included a total of 20,309 server log data, 267 survey responses, and 28 interviews from scholars of Physics, Sociology, and Linguistics who use Academia.edu. Results from the study showed that the use of Academia.edu is dependent on the discipline scholars are affiliated with, their professional status, and the time of the year. Unlike physicists, linguists and sociologists are more inclined to using Academia.edu and other ASN sites. Although linguists and sociologists actively use Academia.edu, their motivations to use the site are different. These differences in user-motivations and user-activities across the disciplines are influenced by variations in the social and cultural practices of the disciplines. This study used Whitley's (2000) theory of degrees of mutual dependence and task uncertainty to explain the differences in the adoption and use of Academia.edu across the three disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interview with Prof. Francesco Coniglione on the conflict in the Italian university system: old cooption, new selection systems with evaluation criteria for researchers' recruitment. The Interview of Prof. Coniglione still demonstrates deficiencies in new automatic evaluation criteria and in current selection procedures for young researchers, which put at risk the transparency of these procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passing the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) in the US is a critical outcome of the nursing program. Research has been conducted to identify which nursing students are at risk for not passing the NCLEX-RN test. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether any of several student covariates can be used to accurately identify associate in science in nursing (ASN) students that are at-risk for failing the NCLEX-RN test. Covariates included in the study were demographics, students’ pre-admission grade point average (GPA), the scores of test of essential skills (TEAS), and the assessment technologies institute® (ATI)’s comprehensive scores for a pre-RN examination test. Chi-squared automatic interaction detection, or CHAID analysis, was used to develop the model. One covariate, ATI comprehensive test scores, was found to accurately identify all at-risk ASN students. The model explained that students identified as “at-risk” had a failure rate nearly two-and-a-half times as high as the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]