Certification of C-reactive Protein in Reference Material ERM-DA472/IFCC

The production and certification of ERM-DA472/IFCC, a new reference material certified for C-reactive protein (CRP), is described. ERM-DA472/IFCC was characterised using the reference material ERM-DA470 as calibrant. This achieved using a value transfer protocol that can be considered as a reference procedure. the principles used to measure the CRP concentration were immunonephelometry and immunoturbidimetry. The measurements were performed with different platform/reagent combinations (Abbott, Beckmann Immage, BN II, different Hitachi instruments, and Olympus AU640). In total 8 laboratories participated in the value assignment. The certified CRP mass concentration is 41.8 mg/L, the expanded uncertainty (k = 2) 2.5 mg/L.JRC.D.2-Reference material

Empirical Challenges in Organizational Aesthetics Research: Towards a Sensual Methodology

Despite growing scholarly interest in aesthetic dimensions of organizational life, there is a lack of literature expressly engaging with the methodological mechanics of 'doing aesthetics research'. This article addresses that gap. It begins with an overview of the conceptual idiosyncrasies of 'aesthetics' as a facet of human existence and maps out the challenges these pose for empirical research methodology. A review of methodological approaches adopted to date in empirical studies of organizational aesthetics is then presented. The remainder of the article draws on the author's experiences and suggests methods and techniques to address both conceptual and practical challenges encountered during the execution of an organizational aesthetics research project. The article calls for a firmer focus on the aesthetic experiences of organizational members in addition to those of researchers and concludes with some suggestions as to the future of such 'sensual methodologies' </jats:p

Reframing history: : Commemorating one of the world's biggest industrial disasters

The Oaks Colliery disaster killed at least 360 miners in December 1866 – just two weeks before Christmas – and was the world’s biggest industrial disaster of the 19th century, but it remained virtually unknown for 150 years. Even the names of all those who died were not documented until the local community tried to set the record straight and remember the victims of the tragedy. This resulted in (among other things) a documentary called Black Snow which won the Best Research Film of the Year award at The AHRC Research in Film Awards 2018. The director of Black Snow, Stephen Linstead and colleagues from different agencies who collaborated on the memorial project, explain why the men and women who have died in the course of their work, including those from accidents and disasters, should be commemorated on a special day

Managing talent across advanced and emerging economies: HR issues and challenges in a Sino-German strategic collaboration

The human resource (HR) practices involved in global talent management continue to advance and evolve. A majority of talent management commentary is from multinational corporation (MNC) perspectives. However, the less commented small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) also confronts challenges grounded in economic (i.e. resources, finance), organisational (i.e. size, scope and structure) and consequent behavioural rationales (i.e. mindsets and stances). This paper establishes and examines a number of propositions which consider how these factors impact on an advanced economy SME’s talent management in emerging economy collaborations. An interpretive qualitative methodology is employed using interviews conducted within two cases – SME and an MNC comparator case. The SME case is used as the driving force of the paper and its theoretical focus and findings. The MNC is used to develop issues as a comparator case. The findings show SME economic and organisational drivers producing behavioural dynamics in relation to mimesis of planned actions yet informal serendipitous responses in reality; a predilection for the proximate and familiar; design configurations of short-term expatriate visits and inpatriates; cumulating in ongoing inpatriate acculturisation and re-acculturation oscillation. Consequently, the implication is that the SME needs a HR practices encompassing resignation to the situation, flexibility and resilience in order to survive and progress

Challenging Masculinity in CSR Disclosures: Silencing of Women’s Voices in Tanzania’s Mining Industry

This paper presents a feminist analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a male-dominated industry within a developing country context. It seeks to raise awareness of the silencing of women’s voices in CSR reports produced by mining companies in Tanzania. Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in Africa, and women are often marginalised in employment and social policy considerations. Drawing on work by Hélène Cixous, a post-structuralist/radical feminist scholar, the paper challenges the masculinity of CSR discourses that have repeatedly masked the voices and concerns of ‘other’ marginalised social groups, notably women. Using interpretative ethnographic case studies, the paper provides much-needed empirical evidence to show how gender imbalances remain prevalent in the Tanzanian mining sector. This evidence draws attention to the dynamics faced by many women working in or living around mining areas in Tanzania. The paper argues that CSR, a discourse enmeshed with the patriarchal logic of the contemporary capitalist system, is entangled with tensions, class conflicts and struggles which need to be unpacked and acknowledged. The paper considers the possibility of policy reforms in order to promote gender balance in the Tanzanian mining sector and create a platform for women’s concerns to be voiced

The role of acetylation in IL-1-induced chemokine gene transcription

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The Utility of Myositis Specific Antibodies in Clinical Practice

Abstract Background Fifteen myositis-specific antibodies have been described and characterized over the past 40 years. Approximately two thirds of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis have a myositis-specific antibody and only rarely more than one. Assays to detect them are now widely available within clinical practice. Content We describe the original description and clinical phenotype of the myositis-specific antibodies, forming the antisynthetase syndrome group, anti-MDA-5 and rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease, anti-SRP/HMGCR and necrotizing myositis, anti-TIF-1γ/NXP-2 and malignancy, anti-SAE and esophageal disease, and anti-Mi-2 and classic dermatomyositis skin disease. Summary Clinical practice is likely to be refined, with diagnosis and classification of the idiopathic inflammatory myositides based primarily on myositis-specific antibody, rather than directed by muscle histology or the broader clinical characteristics of polymyositis and dermatomyositis. All patients newly presenting with idiopathic inflammatory myositis should be routinely screened for myositis-specific antibodies. A positive result will usefully provide diagnostic and prognostic information, guide selection of therapy, and prompt surveillance for potential organ involvement and other features, such as cancer, throughout the disease course. </jats:sec

Case report: Interference from isatuximab on serum protein electrophoresis prevented demonstration of complete remission in a myeloma patient

Multiple myeloma is a haematological cancer caused by malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow that can result in organ dysfunction and death. Recent novel treatments have contributed to improved survival rates, including monoclonal antibody therapies that target the CD38 protein on the surface of plasma cells. Anti-CD38 therapies are IgG kappa monoclonal antibodies that are given in doses high enough for the drug to be visible on serum protein electrophoresis as a small paraprotein. We present a case where isatuximab, the most recent anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody to be approved for treatment of myeloma, obscured the patient’s paraprotein on gel immunofixation, so that complete remission could not be demonstrated. This was resolved using the isatuximab Hydrashift assay. The interference on gel immunofixation was unexpected because isatuximab migrated in a position distinct from the patient’s paraprotein on capillary zone electrophoresis. We demonstrate the surprising finding that isatuximab migrates in a different position on gel electrophoresis compared to capillary zone electrophoresis. It is vital that laboratories are aware of the possible interference on electrophoresis from anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody therapies, and are able to recognise these drugs on protein electrophoresis. The difference in isatuximab’s electrophoretic mobility on capillary and gel protein electrophoresis makes this particularly challenging. Laboratories should have a strategy for alternative analyses in the event that the drugs interfere with assessment of the patient’s paraprotein. </jats:p