Transformational leadership, organizational justice and organizational outcomes

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of transformational leadership (TL) on organizational commitment (OC) with the mediating role of organizational justice (OJ) in the higher education (HE) sector in Syria. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected from 502 employees from six HE institutions. Two measures of organizational outcomes were selected for this study, namely, job satisfaction (JS) and OC. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), the authors tested four alternative models to indicate the relationship between leadership and organizational outcomes. Findings: TL has both direct and indirect effects on OC through interactional justice (IJ). TL has an impact on JS through procedural justice (PJ) and IJ as intermediate variables, while transactional leadership (TrL) has an impact on JS through distributive justice (DJ). The three types of OJ have an impact on OC through JS. The authors found that the national culture may not influence the impact of the leader in the current globalization context, as the results were similar to the Western studies. Practical implications: The findings of the study provide managers of the HE sector with insights into the formations of employees’ fairness perceptions, and with some guidelines for managing employees by documenting OJ to draw positive attitudinal and behavioral responses from employees. Originality/value: While most previous research has focused on exploring the relationship between leadership and OJ or between OJ and JS in the business sector, the study, however, seeks in addition, to pinpoint the effect of OJ as a mediate variable between the leadership and JS and OC in HE

Cervical and Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia after Treatment with Oral Isotretinoin for Severe Acne Vulgaris

Oral isotretinoin is the drug of choice for severe acne vulgaris, but its use is still controversial in preventing, treating or stopping the progression of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [6, 7, 8]. It induces cell differentiation, inhibits cell proliferation, stimulates host immune reaction, inhibits the oncogene expression, augments cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and induces apoptosis [5]. The isotretinoin has many side effects including teratogenicity. There is no previous report of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) after introducing oral isotretinoin to a patient. We are reporting a 37-year-old female with no risk factors for cervical cancer who had developed CIN-I and VIN-I during a 6-month treatment period of oral isotretinoin for her severe acne vulgaris. Interestingly, the patient had complete spontaneous pathologic-proven remission after stopping the isotretinoin. Further case reports are warranted to support this incidence

Extramammary Perianal Paget's Disease

Perianal Paget's disease is a rare malignancy. It is rarely isolated and often associated with an underlying adenocarcinoma. It usually presents with anal itchiness and discomfort and can be misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids. Once the diagnosis of perianal Paget's disease is granted, extensive work-up to find an underlying primary malignancy is crucial. Surgery is the standard modality of treatment of extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) with recurrence rates of 44–60%. Other different treatment modalities including radiotherapy, laser therapy, topical and systemic chemotherapy and the new emerging, promising photodynamic therapy are in the field of study. A 76-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a one-year history of anal itchiness and intermittent rectal bleeding. Skin shave and punch biopsies from the perianal area were reported back as perianal Paget's disease with no underlying adenocarcinoma. The immunohistochemical stains were positive for cytokeratin 7 but also positive for cytokeratin 20 and CEA which indicated the essentiality of extensive investigations to find a primary malignancy. Skin exam showed no primary source. The investigations were unable to find the primary malignancy. Given the results of immunohistochemical stains we recommended local perianal Paget's disease resection. The intraoperative frozen section showed adenocarcinoma around the anal sphincter. Ten days later the patient underwent an abdominoperineal resection and the final pathology report showed extensive adenocarcinoma in three quadrants of the perianal area with focal involvement of the rectal mucosa. We recommended an adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX following surgery given the bulkiness of the disease. We conclude that once perianal Paget's disease is diagnosed, an extensive work-up should be done to find the underlying primary malignancy. Immunohistochemical stains are helpful in raising the suspicion of underlying primary malignancy. Finding an underlying primary malignancy in patients with EMPD is prompt to choose the treatment modality and estimate the prognosis

Comparison of the Levels of Particle Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons between Pre and During Economic Crisis in Beirut

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban areas due to human activities poses a significant risk to human health. A comparative study of three representative sites (AUB, BCD, and NSMU) in Beirut revealed varying levels of PAHs and PM2.5, with AUB showing the lowest concentrations. The demand for electricity, particularly during the hot summer season, and stagnant weather conditions contribute to high concentration of PAHs, in summer as well as in winter and fall. The study also found that the cancer risk associated with PAH exposure exceeded acceptable thresholds set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in the three sites, emphasizing the need for effective emission regulations. Additionally, source apportionment analysis identified diesel generators, incinerators, and gasoline/vehicular emissions as significant contributors to PAH pollution. Diesel generators played a prominent role in high socio- economic areas (BCD), while vehicular and traffic emissions were more influencing in low-to-middle income areas (NSMU).These findings demonstrate the need for targeted mitigation strategies to reduce PAH emissions and improve air quality in urban environments

Investigation of the effect of side deflectors on savonius type wind turbines

Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Enerji Bilim ve Teknoloji Ana Bilim DalıBu tez çalışmasında, Savonius tipi rüzgâr türbinlerinde yan yönelticilerin türbin performansı üzerine etkileri incelenmiştir. Kullanılan Savonius türbini yarı silindir şeklindeki kanatlara sahip olup (d=160mm, L=290mm) ve türbinin hemen dışında 200mm çapındaki bir çember üzerinde, 60 derece yay şeklinde (s=104mm) bir dairesel yönlendirici yerleştirilmiştir. Saat yönünde ve saat yönünün tersinde, yönlendiricinin bir kenarı 0? ile başlayarak farklı açılarda [0?, 10?, 15?, 20?, 30?, 45?, 60?, 75?, 90?, 105? ve 120?] konumlandırılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, 0? rüzgâr yönüne en yakın nokta olarak kabul edildiği durumda, yaklaşık 0.646 ? (uç hız oranı) ve saat yönünün tersine doğru en iyi yönlendirici açısının 10? olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu konumda elde edilen 0.16 değerindeki güç katsayısı, yönlendiricisiz sonuçlarla karşılaştırıldığında %55 oranında bir artış sağlamaktadır. Dairesel yan yönelticinin kullanımı, güç çıkışını ve genel verimliliği artırmak için umut vaat eden bir yaklaşım sunmakta olup bu çalışma yönlendiriciler ile donatılmış Savonius türbinlerinin aerodinamik davranışının anlaşılmasına katkı sağlamakta ve bu alandaki gelecekteki araştırma ve geliştirme çalışmaları için değerli bilgiler sunmaktadır.In this thesis study, the effects of side deflectors on Savonius wind turbines performance were examined. The Savonius turbine used has semi-cylindrical blades (d=160mm, L=290mm) and a circular deflector in the shape of a 60 degree arc (s=104mm) is placed on a 200mm diameter circle just outside the turbine. Clockwise and counterclockwise, one side of the rotor, rotates at different angles [0?, 10?, 15?, 20?, 30?, 45?, 60?, 75?, 90?, 105? ve 120?] starting from 0? is positioned. where 0? is considered as the closest point to the wind direction. The results obtained show that the best steering angle towards the counterclockwise direction is approximately 0.646 ? (tip speed ratio) and 10?. The power coefficient of 0.169 obtained in this position provides an increase of 55% compared to the results without a deflector. The use of the circular side deflector offers a promising approach to increase power output and overall efficiency, and this study contributes to the understanding of the aerodynamic behavior of Savonius turbines equipped with deflectors and provides valuable information for future research and development in this field

Primary Submucosal Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum Diagnosed by Endoscopic Ultrasound: Case Report and Literature Review

Primary colorectal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the very rare malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. The diagnosis cannot be made before ruling out other common primary sites. Using the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) technique to get a tissue biopsy for submucosal tumors has not been demonstrated as the best diagnostic approach in the literature. Surgery is the gold standard treatment with arising evidence of good efficacy following conventional chemoradiation therapy. A 49-year-old male presented with rectal discomfort. Sigmoidoscopy revealed multiple submucosal masses in the rectosigmoid colon. Mucosal biopsies showed nonspecific inflammation. Subsequently, an EUS with fine needle biopsy was done and established the diagnosis of rectal SCC. There were no other primary sites noticed in the extensive evaluation. The patient chose to be treated only with chemoradiation without surgery. At the time of writing this report he had no evidence of recurrence achieving 2.5 years of survival. EUS is an emerging excellent approach to diagnose submucosal colorectal SCC. This case will add supportive evidence of having a complete response following combining treatment with squamous cell directed chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy without preceded surgery

The Level of Europium-154 Contaminating Samarium-153-EDTMP Activates the Radiation Alarm System at the US Homeland Security Checkpoints

153Sm-EDTMP is a radiopharmaceutical composed of EDTMP (ethylenediamine-tetramethylenephosphonate) and Samarium-153 [1]. 153Sm-EDTMP has an affinity for skeletal tissue and concentrates in areas with increased bone turnover; thus, it is successfully used in relieving pain related to diffuse bone metastases [1]. The manufacturing process of 153Sm-EDTMP leads to contamination with 154Eu (Europium-154) [2]. A previous study only alluded to the retention of 154Eu in the bones after receiving treatment with 153Sm-EDTMP [2]. Activation of the alarm at security checkpoints after 153Sm-EDTMP therapy has not been previously reported. Two out of 15 patients who received 153Sm-EDTMP at Roger Maris Cancer Center (Fargo, N. Dak., USA) activated the radiation activity sensors while passing through checkpoints; one at a US airport and the other while crossing the American-Canadian border. We assume that the 154Eu which remained in the patients’ bones activated the sensors

Završni ogranci zajedničke karotidne arterije u mule s posebnim osvrtom na karotidno tjelešce i karotidni sinus.

Ten adult mules were used in this study for gross anatomy, light and electron microscopy. The branching of the terminal portion of the common carotid artery was found to be similar to that of the horse. The carotid body of the mule is compact and located at the angle of bifurcation of the internal and external carotid arteries. Groups of cells surrounded by connective tissue capsule were clear, with light as well as electron microscopy. The amounts of electron dense granules differ in the two cell types of the carotid body (Types I and II). The carotid sinus is located at the origin of the internal carotid artery. Both the carotid sinus and the carotid body were described in detail, with their blood and nerve supply in the mule and compared to other domestic animals.Istražena je anatomska, mikroskopska i elektronskomikroskopska građa završnog dijela zajedničke karotidne arterije u deset mula te je utvrđena sličnost onoj u konja. Karotidno tjelešce mule je kompaktno i smješteno u kutu račvanja unutarnje i vanjske karotidne arterije. Jasno se uočava skupina stanica okružena vezivnotkivnom čahurom što je potvrđeno svjetlosnom i elektronskom mikroskopijom. Količina elektronski gušćih zrnaca razlikovala se u dva tipa stanica karotidnog tjelešca (tip I i II). Karotidni sinus smješten je na početku unutarnje karotidne arterije. Detaljno je prikazana građa karotidnog sinusa i karotidnog tjelešca zajedno s opisom dotoka krvi i inervacije te uspoređena s građom u ostalih domaćih životinja

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in the Palestinian population

We determined the prevalence of hypertension and the level of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among Palestinian adults in a population-based cross-sectional survey. Two-stage stratified sampling method was used to select 2077 participants from the general population aged 25 years and over. Trained observers obtained two blood pressure (BP) measurements from each individual by the use of a standardized mercury sphygmomanometer after a 5-min sitting rest. Information on sociogeographical factors and antihypertensive medications was obtained using a standard questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as a mean systolic BP (SBP) X140mm Hg, diastolic BP (DBP)X90mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 27.6%, with a higher percentage among men (29.2 vs 26.4%; P¼0.04). Hypertension increased with age in both men and women. Among hypertensive patients, 51.0% were aware of their elevated BP, 40.2% had treatment and only 9.5% achieved targeted BP control (o140/90mmHg). Patients under antihypertensive treatment showed SBP and DBP that were only 3.1mmHg and 2.5mmHg lower than individuals without antihypertensive treatment, respectively. The data show that hypertension prevalence among Palestinian adults is high, whereas the proportions of awareness treatment and control of hypertension were low. Concerted public health effort is urgently required to improve the detection, treatment and control of hypertension in Palestine.Technical and financial support for this study was made available by the Palestinian American Research Council. We also wish to thank Dr Asa’d Ramlawi, Head of the primary care department at the Palestinian Ministry of Health for his support. This project is Funded by the Palestinian American Research Council