Streptococcus sanguinis is an important component of the dental plaque biofilm and is believed to play a beneficial role in the oral cavity. S. sanguinis is also a leading cause of infective endocarditis (IE), a potentially lethal infection of the cardiac valves. S. sanguinis possesses genetic competence, the ability to acquire exogenous DNA into its genome. In the well characterized system of S. pneumoniae, genetic competence requires a quorum sensing system encoded by the early comCDE genes, as well as late genes controlled by the alternate sigma factor, ComX. Previous studies in other streptococcal species have suggested functions for the com regulon apart from DNA uptake. Here we characterized functions of the S. sanguinis com regulon genes in genetic competence, IE virulence, and biofilm formation. Our findings indicated that the early regulatory genes and those under the control of ComX in S. sanguinis play similar roles in genetic competence as their orthologs in other competent streptococci; however the sequence and mechanism of processing of the quorum sensing signal, competence-stimulating peptide, CSP, were determined to be unique. Using a rabbit endocarditis model, we determined that the comCDE and comX genes were not required for virulence, bacteremia, or pathology under a variety of infection conditions. In contrast, examination of biofilms by microscopy and crystal violet staining indicated that S. sanguinis CSP enhanced biofilm formation in a comDE-dependent manner. Deletion of the early com gene SSA_0195 eliminated this effect, while expression of the gene from an inducible promoter increased biofilm formation in the absence of CSP. Deletion of the comX gene resulted in biofilms with increased staining, cell death, and profoundly altered structure. Treatment with DNase I reduced biofilm formation in a com-independent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that expression of SSA_0195 is both necessary and sufficient for CSP-dependent biofilm enhancement, and that the late gene activator, ComX, is required to maintain normal biofilm architecture. Our findings suggest the com regulon of S. sanguinis may be an important determinant of competitiveness in the mouth, where native CSP production may occur at levels sufficient to influence biofilm formation.

Background: Breastfeeding is well established as the optimal method for ensuring healthy infant nutrition. However, many adolescents remain unaware of the role of breastfeeding. Adolescent mothers continue to have the lowest rate of breastfeeding in many countries including Thailand, with only 17% of Thai adolescent mothers continuing to breastfed at 6 months postpartum. Objective: Examine factors influencing breastfeeding behaviors in adolescent mothers, particularly those in Thailand. Methods: This dissertation project involved two research studies focusing on breastfeeding influencing factors in adolescent mothers. The first study was an integrative review of 22 articles published in 2000-2012. The findings revealed that personal factors appear to be the most important to the decision to initiate and maintain breastfeeding for adolescent mothers. Perceptions of cultural expectations also influence breastfeeding decisions and behaviors. Additionally, infant factors seem to be considerations in breastfeeding duration for the adolescent mother. The second study used a prospective cohort design to explore personal, social, cultural, and infant factors that explain and predict breastfeeding initiation and maintenance at 4 weeks postpartum in Thai adolescent mothers. The sample of 96 adolescent mothers was recruited at two prenatal clinics in Thailand. There were three time points for data collection; the initial visit was completed in the prenatal period, the second visit was within 48 hours postpartum, and the third was at 4 weeks postpartum. Instruments were the Iowa Infant feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS), Breastfeeding Influencing Factor Assessment (BIFA), Hughes Breast-Feeding Support Scale (HBSS), Pictorial Assessment of Temperament (PAT), Vulnerable Baby Scale (VBS), and Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), all of which were translated into the Thai language. Results: Personal, social, and cultural factors were significantly correlated with breastfeeding initiation and were significant positive predictors of exclusive breastfeeding duration. Infant temperament was a significant negative predictor of exclusive breastfeeding duration. Maternal competence was also positively correlated with duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Facilitating the support mothers receive from their personal support systems is important to breastfeeding duration and maternal competence in the postpartum period. Enhancing exclusive breastfeeding and maternal competence provides a supportive environment for new adolescent mothers to develop their maternal role.

The ability of bacteria to assimilate free DNA from the environment is known as competence. Though many studies have focused on competence regulation in Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus sanguinis has yet to be examined. Physiological characterization of competence in S. sanguinis strain SK36 and its comC mutant, JFP41, led to the genome-wide transcriptional analysis of cells induced to competence via addition of competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). A total of 128 genes were induced at least 2-fold, 74 of which were classified as either “early” or “late” based on their induction patterns. Expression patterns were verified using qRT-PCR. This study identified genes not up-regulated in S. pneumoniae or S. gordonii and lays the foundation for bioinformatic studies to identify conserved binding sites upstream from CSP-regulated genes. These results also shed light on the possible existence and identity of expected CSP exporters in S. sanguinis, which have so far eluded discovery.

The diploma work is called: "Analysis of preparation for the post of Principal in Selected Country of OECD. It is aimed at preparing the Principal in their profession before taking the office. It describes the different educational systems focused on the training of directors in selected OECD countries - the Czech Republic, USA, Canada, Chile. The aim is to compare the preparation for the profession Principal before taking office in each country, focusing on practice, education, legal grounding.. The theoretical part deals with the historical perspective of the OECD in terms of education, access to education in different historical periods since the inception of the organization. It also deals with the initial preparation of Principals prior to becoming director in terms of personality and school manager. The practical part describes the situation of education with a focus on Principal in selected countries. the conclusion are set out common elements of education directors.

Title: Competency profile of a Street Dance coach Objectives: The aim of this work is to find the key competencies and needs for the profile of a Street dance coach. The competencies are discovered through questions given to dance students and trainers.The benefit of this work should be seen during the selection of the dance trainers. Methods: The research is made from quantitative methods and interviews. The interviews of the dance students and trainers were made through an electronic questionnaire. The respondents were addressed on the social media. The theoretical part of the thesis comes from the studied professional literature, internet sites and personal experience. Results: We found out which are the key competencies that a trainer should have. Based on the results of the research we choose the 12 most important competencies of a street dance trainer, which were valorised thanks to the weighted average and split by importance. Keywords: Dance, Street Dance, Coach, Competence

Pour de nombreuses organisations aujourd’hui, les gains concurrentiels reposent sur des approches transversales de type projet. Par ailleurs, à mesure que les projets se multiplient et s’ouvrent sur leurs environnements interne et externe, le succès se conçoit de plus en plus en termes de valeur pour un nombre croissant d’acteurs ou parties prenantes impliqués directement ou indirectement dans ces projets.Dans cette perspective, l’objectif de notre recherche est de contribuer à mieux comprendre comment les gestionnaires créent les conditions favorables au bon déroulement et au succès de projets impliquant de nombreuses parties prenantes. Plus spécifiquement, le rapprochement de la littérature portant sur la politique dans les organisations, la gestion de projet et les compétences nous a conduits à nous interroger sur l’éventualité d’une compétence collective au service de la gestion politique des parties prenantes dans un projet. Appuyés sur un dispositif méthodologique de nature qualitative comprenant une vague d’entrevues préliminaires et deux études longitudinales de cas enchâssés, nous confirmons l’existence d’une véritable compétence politique et nous en décrivons pour la première fois les contours et le fonctionnement aux niveaux individuel, collectif, organisationnel et interorganisationnel. Ceci nous conduits à supporter une conceptualisation plus partagée du leadership et une approche plus authentique de la gestion des parties prenantes dans les projets comme source de performance. Nous proposons finalement quelques voies d’approfondissement pour mettre en œuvre une véritable gestion des compétences collectives politiques. / For numerous organizations today, competitive gains rely on a cross-disciplinary approach of project type. Furthermore, as projects multiply and open on their internal and external environments, success is increasingly measured in terms of value for the growing number of actors or stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the projects.In light of this, the aim of our research is to contribute to a better understanding of how managers can create favorable conditions for good progress and the success of projects involving numerous stakeholders. More specifically, a comparison of the literature on organizational politics, project management and competence led us to question the possibility of a collective competence for the political management of project stakeholders.Based on a qualitative methodological plan, including a series of preliminary interviews and two longitudinal embedded case studies, we confirm the existence of a true political competence and, for the first time, we describe how it is shaped and how it operates at an individual, collective, organizational and inter-organizational level. This leads us to support a conceptualization of shared leadership and a more authentic approach of project stakeholder management as a source of performance. Finally, we have proposed several avenues of further research to implement real collective political competence management.

Title: COMPETENCY PROFILE OF FITNESS INSTRUCTOR Objectives: The aim of this work is to find out competencies of fitness instructor and make a competency profile, containing competencies, which are important for excellent fitness instructor. Methods: I applied the method of interview and the method of research in my thesis. The interview was used to make a list of competencies of fitness instructor. The research was applied in the final part of making competency profile, for an attestation of explorative competency profile of fitness instructor. Results: The result of the thesis is competency profile, respectively a list of competencies, which distinguishes an excellent fitness instructor from an ordinary one. Keywords: competence, instructor, fitness, fitness centre

This study is an investigation of the relationship between the cultural competency of counselor supervisors and the satisfaction with supervision of their supervisees. This study is a quantitative analysis of the correlations between the variables of cultural competency, satisfaction with supervision, and supervisee ethnicity and supervisee gender. The chapters of this dissertation present an introduction to the study, a review of the relevant and related literature, and the research methodology that was utilized to conduct the study, together with results and discussions.

Le contrôle juridictionnel comprend une large signification. Ce type de contrôle applique à toutes les personnes. Il s'agit les personnes physiques et les personnes morales. Mais, il y a une sorte de contrôle exercé sur l'Etat par une Cour spéciale. Cette Cour bénéficie d'une procédure et des lois spéciales. Dans cette étude nous vérifions l'existence ou l'absence de cette sorte de contrôle en droit iranien. Par conséquent, d'abord nous expliquons la signification des termes techniques dans la langue persane. La Constitution iranien de 1980 révisée en 1989 est la source principale à expliquer et prendre des exemples pour chaque définition. En réalité et dans le système juridictionnel de l'Iran, il existe la Cour de Justice Administrative qui possède la compétence de contrôler judiciaire des actions et des décisions de l'Etat. Cette Cour et ses compétences sont confrontées avec divers exceptions. Nous examinons la loi et la procédure de la CJA en tant que la seule organisation juridique administrative. Nous analysons également les administrations et les organisations gouvernementales qui fonctionnent sous la surveillance de la CJA. / The legal control includes a broad meaning. This type of control applies to all persons, whether individuals or legal persons. But there is a kind of control exercised over the State by a special Court. This Court has its specific procedure and law. In this study, the existence or absence of the control legal administrative over State in Iran will be verified. The significance of the keywords in this study is, also so important because there are some relevant and practical words. Due to this fact, at the first step, it seems necessary to define and explained these words in Persian language and the Iranian legal system. The Iranian Constitution of 1980 is the primary source to explain and give some examples for each definition. Practically in this judicial system, the Court of Administrative Justice has jurisdiction to control administrative, the State, its actions and decisions, in a legal manner. This Court and its competencies are considered with various exceptions. We examine the law and procedure of the CJA as a single legal organization monitoring the State. We also analyze government and government's organizations that operate under the supervision of the CJA. / Il controllo legale comprende un significato ampio. Questo tipo di controllo si applica a tutte le persone, siano essi persone fisiche o giuridiche. Ma c’è un tipo di controllo esercitato sullo stato da un tribunal speciale. Questa Corte ha la propia specifica procedura e di diritto. In questo studio, l’esistenza o l’assenza del diritto dello Stato controllo amministrativo in Iran saranno verificati. Il significato delle parole chiave di questo studio è, anche così importante, perché ci sono alcune parole importanti e pratico. A causa di questo fatto, al primo passo, si ritiene necessario definire e spiegare queste parole in lingua persiana e il sistema giuridico iraniano. La Costituzione iraniana del 1980 è la fonte primaria di spiegare e fornire alcuni esempi per ogni definizione. Praticamente in questo sistema giudiziario, la Corte di giustizia amministrativa è competente per il controllo amministrativo, lo Stato, le sue azioni e decisioni, in maniera legale. La Corte e le sue competenze sono considerati con diverse eccezioni. Esaminiamo la legge e la procedura della CJA come organizzazione giuridico unico controllo dello Stato. Vengono esaminate anche le organizzazioni governative e governative che operano sotto la supervisione della CJA.

This case study of a Bronx, New York charter school drew upon Emdin’s (2016) book on pursuing school improvement as a secondary analysis of existing data from the school. The Principal Investigator is currently a teacher at the school and was participant-observer. The overall study can be considered an integration of qualitative fieldwork and survey methods. A strong implication from the highly significant quantitative results for 18 paired t-tests for nine Behaviors pre-/post-training is that professional development and special trainings had a strong positive effect. With Bonferroni Adjustment Significance (.05/18, p=.0003) level of .003, paired t-tests showed that staff ratings (knowledge and self-efficacy ratings) for all nine Behaviors exhibited a significant increase in mean rating from pre-training to post-training; thus, the intervention of professional development and special trainings had significant impact. Quantitative data supported the conclusion that significant progress was made toward the school’s original goal of transforming toward greater cultural competence and changing school climate to better meet the needs of urban learners from varied cultural backgrounds. Independent t-tests on dichotomous groups found one (of three) comparisons to be statistically significant (t= -.392, df=41.55, p= .000; Bonferroni Adjustment Significance, .05/3, p=.016) when comparing the means for people of color staff (n=29) of 8.934 (SD=1.254) versus for White staff (n=18) of 7.63 (SD=1.023). People of color staff had a significantly higher post-training self-efficacy for performing all nine specified behaviors compared to White staff. Qualitative data from five research questions produced via coding on 64 Emergent Themes, 15 Categories, and 12 Hierarchical Emergent themes—the last effectively coalescing all data into short statements to summarize all that school staff and teachers expressed about the training using Emdin’s book and other special training activities and discussions: acknowledge many book benefits; accept less ready White peers; learn bias, empathy; incomplete training, need to continue/action; impact of expanded awareness; retain many strengths to training model; plan to address barriers to success of training model; evidence of many improvements at school; ending oppression/biased discipline; training challenge of staff in different stages; expert facilitation of difficult conversations; and action for curriculum modifications.