Team Award Research Articles

Conservation Leadership Programme 2024 Team Awards announced

Conservation Leadership Programme 2024 Team Awards announced

And the award goes to…the Matthew Effect: Examining external status as a predictor of productivity and opportunity.

It has been suggested that increased status that comes from being an award winner can generate enduring advantages that compound over one's career via the Matthew Effect. However, research in this area has yielded conflicting results and has been unable to isolate the unique effect of status on career outcomes from the positive endogenous characteristics of award winners. In the current research, we attempt to address previous research limitations and examine if winning an award is associated with career outcomes (i.e., opportunities and productivity) irrespective of individual productivity levels prior to receiving an award. We examined our research questions using observational data of National Hockey League (NHL) league championship winners and non-winners (N = 427). By using a team award and several different analytic approaches we were able to examine the unique effects of affiliation-based external status, generated from an award win, on career outcomes. Our results generally show support for the Matthew Effect and suggest that affiliation-based external status, achieved by an award win, provides access to increased opportunities, which ultimately results in more productivity. We discuss the importance of incorporating opportunity and investigating its role in the cumulative advantage process and implications of the results.

Conservation Leadership Programme 2022 Team Awards announced

Conservation Leadership Programme 2022 Team Awards announced

$50K @ Play Day: Applying Organizational Justice in an Evidence-Based Management Simulation

$50K @ Play Day is an in-class activity in which student groups apply their knowledge of organizational justice in a managerial decision-making scenario. In this simulation, student teams assume the leadership role of a successful corporate team and are tasked with distributing a monetary team award in a just manner. A comparison of student decisions provides the basis for class discussion on the pros and cons of each, as evidenced by the literature on organizational justice. This activity not only reinforces student knowledge of organizational justice but also exemplifies the practical use of organizational behavior as a critical piece of information to be used in managerial decision making. Instructions are provided to facilitate this activity in both in-person and online class environments.

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry+

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry+

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry+

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry+

Conservation Leadership Programme 2021 Team Awards announced

Conservation Leadership Programme 2021 Team Awards announced

한국 고교 야구선수의 프로야구 신인 지명 영향 요인 분석 : 의사결정나무분석을 이용하여

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the variables that affect being picked for Korean professional baseball in high school baseball players. For this, as analysis variables, team’s (long term and short term) awards, individual’s awards, height, weight, metropolitan area, and metropolitan cities were used.<BR> Method: The subjects of the study were 3rd-grade high school baseball players registered with the Korea Baseball Association from 2014 to 2019 (N=4220). The subjects were divided into three groups: Retirement after high school（n=1597, 38%), university entrance (n=2147, 51%) and picked in professional baseball draft (n=476, 11%). To analyze the differences among groups, Kruskal-Wallis H, Tukey’s post-test, and chi-square test were performed. A decision tree analysis was conducted to analyze being picked prediction models in professional baseball draft and for intuitive understanding.<BR> Results: The results of this study are as follows. 1) The team’s long-term award, short-term (2 years) award, and individual award influenced the high school baseball player’s being picked in the professional baseball draft. Among these, the individual’s awards were identified as the most decisive variable. 2) Height and weight were found to have an effect on the being picked, and height was found to be a more decisive variable. 3) The metropolitan area did not affect the being picked, and the metropolitan cities influenced being picked in the professional baseball draft. 4) There was no relative age effect on the being picked in professional baseball draft of high school baseball players.<BR> Conclusion: In summary, this study emphasizes that physical conditions and regional characteristics can influence the being picked in professional baseball draft, in addition to direct performance indexes such as team awards and individual awards.

Development of Cell Culture Infectious Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b Clones and 1b-Induced Angiogenesis and Cholesterol Disorders

Globally, hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b is most prevalent, and its infection has been found to associate with a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than other genotype viruses. However, an efficient infectious HCV genotype 1b culture system is unavailable, which has largely hampered the study of this important genotype virus. In this study, by using a systematic approach combining adaptive mutations and infectious 1a TNcc sequences, we succeeded in culture adaption of two full-length 1b clones for the reference strain Con1 and a clinical isolate A6, and designated as Con1cc and A6cc, respectively. Con1cc and A6cc replicated efficiently in hepatoma Huh7.5.1 cells, released HCV infectivity titers of 104.1 and 103.72 focus forming units per milliliter, respectively, and maintained the engineered mutations after passages. Both viruses responded to sofosbuvir and velpatasvir in a dose-dependent manner. With culture infectious 1b clones, we characterized the transcriptomes of 1b Con1cc-infected cells. Con1cc infection activated angiogenesis and disturbed cholesterol homeostasis compared with uninfected cells. In conclusion, we have developed infectious clones for genotype 1b and shown a novel strategy for culture adaptation of HCV isolates by using a genetically close backbone sequence. Besides, this study provides transcriptional landscape of HCV 1b-infected hepatoma cells facilitating the study of genotype 1b infection. Funding Statement: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81971938 for Y.-P.L.; 81772923 for Y.Z.), The Innovation Research Team for Basic and Clinical Studies on Chronic Liver Diseases of 2018 High-Level Health Teams of Zhuhai (for Y.-P.L. and F.X.), National Key Basic Research Program of China (No. 2015CB554301 for Y.-P.L.), Entrepreneurial Talent Team Award of Guangdong Province (No. 2016ZT06S252 for Y.-P.L.). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The use of patient serum was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee at the Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University (No. 2014-072).

Defining Key Elements for Effective Physical Therapist–Physical Therapist Assistant Working Relationships: A Qualitative Study

Introduction. Education of doctor of physical therapist (DPT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) students about their roles and responsibilities for working collaboratively is required for entry-level clinical practice. Research maintains that DPTs graduate with inadequate knowledge regarding the roles, scope of work, utilization and supervision of PTAs. Study objectives were to uncover the characteristics that comprise an effective physical therapist (PT) - PTA working relationship from 3 perspectives; and identify pedagogy that might inform the relationship development. Methods. Using purposive sampling, we recruited PT and PTA clinician recipients of the APTA Outstanding PT-PTA team award; and DPT students and PTA students from 3 academic institutions. Qualitative case study with a phenomenological approach. Interview questions explored participant perceptions and experiences regarding: effective PT-PTA relationships; barriers and gaps in DPT and PTA educational preparation for intra-professional teaming; and educational strategies for addressing deficiencies in students' knowledge and skills. Results. Thirty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted. Four with PT and 5 with PTA Outstanding PT-PTA award recipients. Fifteen interviews were conducted with DPT students, eight were conducted with PTA students. Data resulted in 4 themes; communication, trust and respect, environment, and bonding. The themes described the PT-PTA relationship and included a triad (PT-PTA-patient) with the patient centrally located. Discussion and Conclusion. Respondents indicated that DPT and PTA programs should create curriculum that develops both cognitive and affective clinical skills pertaining to the PT-PTA relationship. Academic and clinical practice settings play an integral role in creating pedagogy and environments conducive to effective PT-PTA teaming. Role clarification may optimize health care performance, patient satisfaction, cost of care and reduce problems related to miscommunication.

Intravital Microscopy (IVM) in Human Solid Tumors: Novel Protocol to Examine Tumor-Associated Vessels.

BackgroundIntravital microscopy (IVM) allows the real-time, direct visualization of microscopic blood vessels. This pilot clinical trial will elucidate the physical and functional characteristics of vessels associated with solid tumors.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of performing IVM in patients with solid tumors during the standard course of surgical resection. IVM will also be performed when vasopressors or fluid boluses are administered during the standard course of the operation.MethodsThis is an open-label, nonrandomized, single-center, pilot study of IVM observation in subjects with solid tumors undergoing surgical resection.ResultsThis study was active on January 1, 2019 (NCT03823144) and funded by the Mayo Clinic Florida Cancer Focused Research Team Award. As of September 27, 2020, we had enrolled 20 patients. Accrual period is expected to end by December 31, 2021.ConclusionsThis trial will support the development of interventions to improve patient treatment by extending the application of IVM to the tumor microenvironment. IVM observations during volume and pressor management at the time of surgery may aid in the development of strategies to augment responses to systemic treatments.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/15677

Abstract B31: Strategic investments by the Melanoma Research Alliance in research and career development accelerate progress in melanoma prevention, diagnostics, and treatment

Abstract Non-governmental entities, such as foundations, charities, philanthropists, and corporations, represent a growing source of research funding (1). The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) was founded in 2007 by Debra and Leon Black under the auspices of the Milken Institute with the mission to end suffering and death due to melanoma by collaborating with all stakeholders to accelerate powerful research, advance cures for all patients, and prevent more melanomas. Since its founding, MRA has invested a total of $101 million in 266 research awards to 126 academic institutions in 15 countries. Award mechanisms include Team Science Awards, Established Investigator Awards, Young Investigator Awards for newly independent faculty, and Pilot Awards. A key challenge among research funders is measuring the effectiveness of their grants in achieving the organizational mission. In 2018, MRA assessed the impact of its multimillion-dollar investment in research by conducting an in-depth analysis of the 107 research projects completed between 2009 and 2016. The evaluation included the following: 1) analysis of progress towards scientific aims; 2) a post-award survey sent to all administrative principal investigators (response rate 74% of 107 awards); and 3) research on quantitative outcomes such as follow-on funding, publications, and patents using award progress reports, PubMed, Uber Research Dimensions, Google Patents, www.uspto.gov, and www.clinicaltrials.gov. The evaluation demonstrated that the research areas funded by MRA reflect the swift progress of melanoma research as a whole over the past 11 years. MRA awards informed current thinking in the field and impacted clinical practice. Survey responses indicated MRA funding positively impacts the career and research trajectories of funded researchers, for example, by fostering collaborations, obtaining additional funding, and securing promotions or new positions. Both team and individual awards yielded high returns; however, their specific impacts differed. For example, Team Science Awards contributed to more patents (16 of 28 total) and publications (212 of 543 total) than individual awards, which garnered significant follow-on funding. While team awards resulted in a 2.6x multiplier effect in follow-on funding, Established Investigator, Young Investigator, and Pilot Awards yielded a 6.8x, 5.4x and 4.7x multiplier effect, respectively. While most projects conclude in the expected timeframe, clinical research projects typically experience greater delays and involved greater risk than their nonclinical counterparts. Collectively, this analysis suggests that foundation funding of a diverse portfolio of research grants can catalyze preclinical, translational, and clinical research as well as aid in the career development of academic researchers. Reference 1. Private Funding of Basic Science Survey conducted by the Science Philanthropy Alliance, https://tinyurl.com/y927npz7. Citation Format: Kristen L. Mueller, Marc Hurlbert, Louise M. Perkins. Strategic investments by the Melanoma Research Alliance in research and career development accelerate progress in melanoma prevention, diagnostics, and treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Melanoma: From Biology to Target; 2019 Jan 15-18; Houston, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(19 Suppl):Abstract nr B31.

Conservation Leadership Programme 2020 Team Awards announced

Conservation Leadership Programme 2020 Team Awards announced

Enter our Aura IPC Awards 2020 today!

Dental Nursing, The Dentist and Dental Update are proud to announce the launch of this year's Infection Prevention &amp; Control team awards.

Human gingival tissue-derived MSC suppress osteoclastogenesis and bone erosion via CD39-adenosine signal pathway in autoimmune arthritis.

BackgroundBone destruction is one of many severe complications that occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and current therapies are unable to cure this manifestation. This study here aims to determine whether GMSC can directly inhibit osteoclast formation and eventually attenuate osteoclastogenesis and bone erosion in an inflammatory milieu.MethodGMSC were co-cultured with osteoclast precursors with or without CD39 inhibitor, CD73 inhibitor or adenosine receptors inhibitors pretreatment and osteoclast formation were evaluated in vitro. 2×10^6 GMSC per mouse were transferred to CIA mice and pathology scores, the frequency of osteoclasts, bone erosion in joints were assessed in vivo.FindingGMSC but not control cells, markedly suppressed human or mice osteoclastogenesis in vitro. GMSC treatment also resulted in a dramatically decreased level of NF-κB p65/p50 in osteoclasts in vitro. Infusion of GMSC to CIA significantly attenuated the severity of arthritis, pathology scores, frequency of osteoclasts, particularly bone erosion, as well as a decreased expression of RANKL in synovial tissues in vivo. Blockade of CD39/CD73 or adenosine receptors has significantly abrogated the suppressive ability of GMSC in vitro and therapeutic effect of GMSC on bone erosion during CIA in vivo.InterpretationGMSC inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and in vivo partially via CD39-CD73-adenosine signals. Manipulation of GMSC may have a therapeutic implication on rheumatoid arthritis and other bone erosion related diseases.FundThis study was supported by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFA0105801 to F.H); the Zhujiang Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talent Team Award of Guangdong Province (2016 ZT 06S 252 to F·H) and National Institutes of Health (R01 AR059103, R61 AR073409 and NIH Star Award to S.G.Z).

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry+

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry+

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry

Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry

Helios But Not CD226, TIGIT and Foxp3 is a Potential Marker for CD4 Treg Cells in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive, chronic, even disabling systemic autoimmune disease. Imbalance between pathogenic immune cells and immunosuppressive cells is associated with the pathogenesis and development of RA and other autoimmune diseases. As Foxp3 is also expressed on activated CD4 cells in the presence of inflammation, the identification of Treg cells in patients with RA remains a challenge. Methods: Comprehensive analyses were carried out by Flow cytometry. Expression of Helios, CD226, T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) was analyzed by clinical samples of rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls. Findings: we have systemically examined three potential markers, Helios, CD226 and TIGIT that are possibly related to Treg identification, and found that Helios expression on CD4 Foxp3 cells was decreased and negatively correlated with the disease activity of RA patients, while CD226 and TIGIT both showed elevated expression levels in CD4 Foxp3 cells in RA patients and they were not associated with disease activity of RA patients. Interpretation: Our findings indicate that CD4 CD25hiCD127low/-Foxp3 Helios may represent the real Treg cell population in patients with RA. Funding: This work was supported in part by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFA0105800), General Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (81671611) and the Zhujiang Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talent Team Award of Guangdong Province (2016 ZT 06S 252) and NIH R01 AR 059103. Declaration of Interest: All authors have no conflict of interest. Ethical Approval: All human studies have been approved by the Research Ethical Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital at Sun Yat-sen University. Before study, written informed consents were received from all participants.

Pasteurella multocida PfhB2 toxin displays a novel unconventional cysteine protease fold

Pasteurella multocida causes respiratory tract infections in a broad range of animals, as well as opportunistic infections in humans. P. multocida secretes a multi‐domain toxin, called PfhB2, which contains a YopT‐like putative cysteine protease domain at its C‐terminus. PfhB2's YopT domain contains a well‐conserved Cys‐His‐Asp catalytic triad that defines YopT family members, and shares high sequence similarity with the prototype YopT from Yersinia sp. PfhB2 is implicated in virulence. Its FHA (filamentous hemagglutinin) and Fic (filamention induced by cAMP) domains have been shown to provide protective immunity in turkeys and to adenylylate Rho‐GTPases in vitro, respectively. In contrast, little is known about PfhB2's YopT‐like domain. Here, we show that PfhB2‐YopT does not display cysteine protease activity in a manner similar to Yersinia YopT or any other characterized YopT family members. We, therefore, opted to characterize PfhB2‐YopT structurally. Using a catalytically inactive C3733S mutant of PfhB2‐YopT that provides enhanced protein stability, we determined the crystal structure of PfhB2‐YopTC3733S solved by experimental phasing with Selenomethionine derivative crystals at 2.2Å resolution. Our structure shows that PfhB2‐YopT exists as four molecules arranged as an asymmetric unit consisting of two dimers. Importantly, the Cys from each molecule of the dimer coordinates with the His and Asp from the other molecule to complete the catalytic triad. Such an unconventional orientation of the catalytic triad has never been observed for any class of Cysteine proteases. Thus, our PfhB2‐YopT structure represents a novel cysteine protease fold, and provides critical insights for the function of Cys‐His‐Asp containing domains that are often associated with large, multi‐domain bacterial toxins.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by funding from 1) an Indiana CTSI (Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute) Project Development Team Award and 2) the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number R01GM100092.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.