bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are CEOs rewarded for managerial ability? Evidence from nonprofit hospitals
Authors: Zhang Huilan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Most prior studies investigating determinants of CEO compensation in nonprofit hospitals ignore how managerial ability affects compensation. This study aims to examine whether CEOs with greater ability to manage corporate resources efficiently receive more payment in nonprofit hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a sample of 764 observations from 85 Pennsylvania nonprofit hospitals for the period 2010–2020.

Findings

This study finds a positive and statistically significant association between managerial ability and CEO compensation. The results are robust to alternative measures of managerial ability.

Practical implications

The measure of managerial ability proposed in this study could be used by boards of directors to quantify, evaluate and benchmark CEO ability. The results are also relevant to policymakers, stakeholders and the public interested in understanding the determinants of CEO compensation in nonprofits.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to use a more precise measure of managerial ability, which captures the unobserved manager-specific aspects of CEO ability. In addition, this study contributes to the literature by providing evidence that CEO's ability to manage hospital resources efficiently plays an essential role in designing executive compensation contracts.
Managerial ties and learning ambidexterity: the moderating effects of manager service support and employee service rewards
Authors: Liu Dong , Dang Beilei , Zhao Yapu
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Managerial ties (i.e. business ties and political ties) could help manufacturers conduct learning ambidexterity by providing external resources. However, the resource management perspective claims that merely accessing external resources does not guarantee learning ambidexterity. As manufacturers utilize their resources by implementing services, this study aims to investigate how the impact of managerial ties on learning ambidexterity depends on human resource service practices (i.e. manager service support and employee service rewards).

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data from 150 high-tech manufacturing firms through a survey-based questionnaire, which was completed by two managers in one firm. The ordinary least squares regression was employed to test the research model and hypotheses.

Findings

Business ties hurt learning ambidexterity when manager service support is high, whereas business ties benefit learning ambidexterity when employee service rewards are high. Similar findings are not applied to political ties.

Research limitations/implications

The authors did not examine the mechanism underlying the effect of managerial ties on learning ambidexterity. The non-significant findings on political ties suggest potential mediators for future research. Another limitation is that the study’s data are only from China. Manager ties are also important in other developing countries like Turkey. More data from other countries are needed to test the generalization of the authors’ findings.

Practical implications

First, managers should focus on business ties more than political ties when learning ambidexterity is important to their firms. Second, managers should reward service-oriented employees.

Originality/value

The study enriches the literature on investigating the impact of managerial ties on learning ambidexterity. The authors also contribute to the literature by examining servitization as a service context. Prior studies mainly examine servitization as a driver of firm performance. The findings suggest that servitization as a business context can affect other business activities.
Masking up and the role of the police
Authors: White Clair , Snyder Jamie A. , Tabler Jennifer , Freng Adrienne
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic placed many challenges on policing, from limiting officers' ability to interact with citizens to enforcing regulations to prevent the spread of the virus. One of those regulations, and the focus of the current study, is mask mandates.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of over 550 US adults recruited on Amazon MTurk, the current study examines factors that may influence citizen attitudes toward the police's role in mask enforcement, with a specific focus on perceptions of the police, political leanings, and views about COVID-19 and mask-wearing.

Findings

The authors find that when respondents believed COVID-19 was serious and a major public health threat, they were more likely to believe the police should enforce masks, regardless of attitudes about the police, political party affiliation or other demographics.

Originality/value

The enforcement of public health mandates, such as mask wearing, often result in arguments related to the infringement of rights and questions about the overall legality of enforcement. This often puts law enforcement in a difficult position regarding how such mandates should be enforced and whether it is the responsibility of the police. Additional policy implications are discussed.
Analysis of obtaining apical patency indexes during endodontic treatments considering gender, age, pulpoperiradicular diagnosis and canal/tooth—A clinical study
Authors: Machado Ricardo , de Souza Júnior Claudemir , Nascimento Jaqueline , Elgelke Back Eduardo Donato Eing , Comparin Daniel , Ignácio Sérgio Aparecido , Silva Neto Ulisses Xavier da
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to perform an analysis of obtaining apical patency indexes during endodontic treatments considering gender, age, pulpoperiradicular diagnosis and canal/tooth (n. 639/383). Following previous clinical procedures, a thin K‐File (No. 20, 15, 10 or 08) was used to achieve apical patency. These specific data and some demographic and clinical information were submitted to the statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Significant statistical differences were not identified considering gender (p = 0.156) and age (p = 0.793). However, in 14.6% of the canals of vital teeth and 14.1% of the canals of necrotic teeth without periapical lesions, apical patency could not be achieved, which occurred in only 7% of the canals of necrotic teeth with periradicular disease (p = 0.009). Considering canal/tooth, apical patency was more challenging to obtain in canals of posterior teeth (p = 0.000). The pulpoperiapical diagnosis and canal/tooth significantly influenced the obtaining of apical patency.
Closed reduction and plaster immobilization: an alternative solution for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip who failed Pavlik harness treatment
Authors: Zhou Ping , Zhang Jianqiang , Dan Tangzi , Xu Taotao , Kang Xiaopeng , Hang Yong , Zhou You
Published: February 2023

Background

The current study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of closed reduction and cast immobilization for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) who failed Pavlik harness treatment.

Methods

Patients with DDH who underwent cast immobilization under general anaesthesia after the failure of the Pavlik harness or Tübingen brace treatment between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively recruited. General information, including Graf classification of initial diagnosis, initial treatment, age of cast immobilization, IHDI classification, AI index, avascular necrosis (AVN), and residual dysplasia, was collected. The incidence of AVN and late acetabular dysplasia (LACD) was also estimated. Moreover, factors related to AVN and LACD were investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

Thirty‐four patients (47 hips) were finally included in the current study. Of these patients, 31 hips (66.0%) were successfully treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization. Open reduction was successfully performed in 16 hips (34.0%). Till the latest follow‐up, LACD and AVN were found in 13 (27.7%) and 10 (21.3%) hips, respectively. In the open reduction group, type III and IV of the IHDI classification and type IV of the Ultrasound Graf classification were significantly higher when compared with the closed reduction group. Multiple logistic regression showed that failure of closed reduction was related to the initial types of the Ultrasound Graf and IHDI classifications.

Conclusions

Although the success rate of closed reduction after early harness failure in DDH is only 66%, we still advocate closed reduction as a first‐line treatment for children who have failed sling treatment. Even if closed reduction fails, open reduction can still achieve acceptable results.
Betaine—The dark knight of the brain
Authors: Bhatt Manan , Di Iacovo Angela , Romanazzi Tiziana , Roseti Cristina , Bossi Elena
Published: February 2023

The role of betaine in the liver and kidney has been well documented, even from the cellular and molecular point of view. Despite literature reporting positive effects of betaine supplementation in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and schizophrenia, the role and function of betaine in the brain are little studied and reviewed. Beneficial effects of betaine in neurodegeneration, excitatory and inhibitory imbalance and against oxidative stress in the central nervous system (CNS) have been collected and analysed to understand the main role of betaine in the brain. There are many ‘dark’ aspects needed to complete the picture. The understanding of how this osmolyte is transported across neuron and glial cells is also controversial, as the expression levels and functioning of the known protein capable to transport betaine expressed in the brain, betaine‐GABA transporter 1 (BGT‐1), is itself not well clarified. The reported actions of betaine beyond BGT‐1 related to neuronal degeneration and memory impairment are the focus of this work. With this review, we underline the scarcity of detailed molecular and cellular information about betaine action. Consequently, the requirement of detailed focus on and study of the interaction of this molecule with CNS components to sustain the therapeutic use of betaine.
Geographic differences in Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) echolocation clicks
Authors: Baumann‐Pickering Simone , Trickey Jennifer S. , Solsona‐Berga Alba , Rice Ally , Oleson Erin M. , Hildebrand John A. , Frasier Kaitlin E.
Published: February 2023

Aim

Understanding cetacean species' distributions and population structure over space and time is necessary for effective conservation and management. Geographic differences in acoustic signals may provide a line of evidence for population‐level discrimination in some cetacean species. We use acoustic recordings collected over broad spatial and temporal scales to investigate whether global variability in echolocation click peak frequency could elucidate population structure in Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), a cryptic species well‐studied acoustically.

Location

North Pacific, Western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Time period

2004–2021.

Major taxa studied

Blainville's beaked whale.

Methods

Passive acoustic data were collected at 76 sites and 150 cumulative years of data were analysed to extract beaked whale echolocation clicks. Using an automated detector and subsequent weighted network clustering on spectral content and interclick interval of clicks, we determined the properties of a primary cluster of clicks with similar characteristics per site. These were compared within regions and across ocean basins and evaluated for suitability as population‐level indicators.

Results

Spectral averages obtained from primary clusters of echolocation clicks identified at each site were similar in overall shape but varied in peak frequency by up to 8 kHz. We identified a latitudinal cline, with higher peak frequencies occurring in lower latitudes.

Main conclusions

It may be possible to acoustically delineate populations of Blainville's beaked whales. The documented negative correlation between signal peak frequency and latitude could relate to body size. Body size has been shown to influence signal frequency, with lower frequencies produced by larger animals, which are subsequently more common in higher latitudes for some species, although data are lacking to adequately investigate this for beaked whales. Prey size and depth may shape frequency content of echolocation signals, and larger prey items may occur in higher latitudes, resulting in lower signal frequencies of their predators.
Why do healthcare researchers in South Asia publish in predatory journals? A scoping review
Authors: Kashyap Komal , Islam Asmat Ara , Gielen Joris
Published: February 2023

Predatory journals offer the promise of prompt publication to those willing to pay the article submission or processing fee. However, these journals do not offer rigorous peer review. Studies have shown that a substantial share of corresponding authors in predatory journals come from South Asia, particularly India. This scoping review aims to assess what is known about the reasons why healthcare researchers working in South Asia publish in predatory journals. 66 reports (14 editorials, 20 letters, 5 research reports, 10 opinion articles, 14 reviews, 2 commentaries and 1 news report) were included in the data charting and analysis. The analysis of the reports identified three main reasons that made South Asian healthcare researchers publish in predatory journals: pressure to publish, lack of research support, and pseudo benefits. The review shows that predatory publishing in South Asia is a complex phenomenon. Combating predatory publications requires a holistic strategy that supersedes merely blacklisting these journals or listing criteria for journals that do meet academic standards.
Extreme poverty first: An argument on the equitable distribution of the COVID‐19 vaccine in Peru
Authors: Yabar Carlos Augusto
Published: February 2023

Effective vaccines for COVID‐19 are already available to humankind. In Peru, 86 million doses were administered to cover the demand for 33 million Peruvian people. Hence, vaccination has been prioritized in groups: health personnel, subjects with pre‐existing health conditions and those over 65 years of age. However, given the social problems and the public health situation in Peru, this work defends that the priority of vaccination should be focused on the population living in extreme poverty. The method used was an ethical argumentation on the distribution of scarce antiSARS‐CoV2 vaccine in Peru. This argument is based on the analysis of the Peruvian population living in extreme poverty, which presents different layers of vulnerability, and that, in the face of an eventual SARS‐CoV2 infection, these would be exacerbated one after the other, through a cascade effect. This scenario would give rise to new vulnerabilities to those already existing, causing greater damage. Vaccination efforts on this key population would give them the opportunity to continue to find ways to bring food to their homes, significantly reducing the risk of contagion in their environment and mitigating the devastating effect of the local diseases to which they are already exposed. Four objections related to this argument are raised with their corresponding responses. Priority access to the vaccine would significantly reduce the humanitarian harm to people living in extreme poverty, prevailing the principles of justice and equity.
Regard sur le handicap: Voir l'autre côté
Authors: Basu Anna , Friel Kathleen , Olusanya Bolajoko , Hadders‐Algra Mijna
Published: February 2023

The English version of this invited editorial is available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15452.
A first step in open‐source measures of autism symptoms: Promises to keep
Authors: Lord Catherine , Bishop Somer
Published: February 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Frazier et al. on pages 1081–1092 of this issue.
Online media experiences of caregiving fathers: A study of leave‐taking fathers in South Korea
Authors: Lee Youngcho
Published: February 2023

Objective

This work aims to document the different ways in which leave‐taking fathers in South Korea engage with online media to address some of their challenges as male primary caregivers.

Background

Although involved and caring fathers are becoming more common, childcare responsibilities still remain gendered. To equalize the gendered division of childcare, there is a need to gain a better understanding of the cultural barriers that fathers face in caring for their children and the ways that fathers could be supported, including through informal online communities.

Methods

This article qualitatively analyzes semistructured interviews with fathers in Korea as well as posts from blogs by parents of young children about their experiences of taking parental leave and being a primary caregiver for their children.

Results

Caregiving fathers experience similar exclusion and isolation in offline and online spheres from both communities dominated by mothers and those dominated by men who do not identify as caregivers. However, by engaging in online media communities for caregiving fathers, they learn to be better caregivers, connect with other fathers, and influence other parents through their online activities. Although such online activities allow fathers to address their various struggles as male caregivers, some fathers voiced reservations and critiques of online communities.

Conclusion

In general, most fathers reported positive experiences from online activities that allowed them to address their experiences of exclusion as male caregivers, but there remains room for greater inclusion and accessibility for fathers.

Implications

There is a need for online communities to become more diverse, better promoted, more inclusive, and more easily accessible for fathers.
The frequency of dysplastic branching crypts in colorectal polypoid tubular adenomas
Authors: Rubio Carlos A. , Vieth Michael , Lang‐Schwarz Corinna
Published: February 2023

Dysplastic crypt branching (DCB) was recently found in ulcerative colitis‐associated dysplasia. The aim was to assess the frequency and the branching phenotype of DCB in polypoid colorectal tubular adenomas (TA). A total of 3956 DCB were found in the 139 TA: 98% were in asymmetric branching (DCAB) and the remaining 2% in symmetric branching (DCSB). A linear correlation was found between DCB frequency and the increasing digital size in TA (p < .05). Using a digital ruler, adenomas were divided into small TA (<5 mm) and larger TA (≥5 mm). The difference between the frequency of DCB in small TA (n = 75) vs. larger TA (n = 64), was significant (p < .05). DCB frequency was not influenced by age, gender or TA localization. In the normal colorectal mucosa (≈2 m2), only occasional CSB is found and no CAB. And yet, multiple DCB (mean 16.7 DCB), mostly DCAB, was found in small TA, occupying <5 mm of the mucosal area. In larger TA, as many as 42.1 DCB (mean), mostly DCAB, occurred in merely 7.8 mm (mean) of the colon mucosa. Thus it is suggested that DCB is a standard histologic element of TA. The natural expansion of the adenomatous tissue in larger TA appears to be follow on from newly produced, mostly DCAB, by DCSB and by the accumulation of their dysplastic offspring's progenies. The findings strongly suggest that DCB is a central microstructure in the histological events unfolding in polypoid colorectal TA.
Multicenter prospective observational study of dupilumab‐induced ocular events in atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Costedoat Ingrid , Wallaert Martin , Gaultier Aurelie , Vasseur Robin , Vanhaecke Clelia , Viguier Manuelle , Cordelette Charles , Denoyer Alexandre , Ferrier le Bouëdec Marie‐Christine , Coutu Adrien , Lamiaux Marie , Tran Thi Ha Châu , Lacour Jean Philippe , Elmaleh Valerie , Tetart Florence , Gueudry Julie , Tauber Marie , Giordano‐Labadie Francoise , Cassagne Myriam , Nosbaum Audrey , Ouilhon Coralie , Jachiet Marie , Tadayoni Ramin , Dezoteux Frederic , Staumont‐Salle Delphine , Bouleau Julien , Labalette Pierre , Doan Serge , Soria Angele , Mortemousque Bruno , Seneschal Julien , Barbarot Sebastien ,   FRench Atopic DErmatitis Network from the Groupe de Recherche sur l'Eczema Atopique (GREAT), France
Published: February 2023

Background

Although ocular adverse events are frequent in AD patients treated with dupilumab, their characterization remains limited due to a lack of prospective studies with a systematic ophthalmological examination.

Objective

To examine the incidence, characteristics and risk factors of dupilumab‐induced ocular adverse events.

Methods

A prospective, multicenter, and real‐life study in adult AD patients treated with dupilumab.

Results

At baseline, 27 out of 181 patients (14.9%) had conjunctivitis. At week 16 (W16), 25 out of 27 had improved their conjunctivitis and 2 remained stable and 34 out of 181 patients (18.7%) had dupilumab‐induced blepharoconjunctivitis: either de novo (n = 32) or worsening of underlying blepharoconjunctivitis (n = 2). Most events (27/34; 79.4%) were moderate. A multivariate analysis showed that head and neck AD (OR = 7.254; 95%CI [1.938–30.07]; p = 0.004), erythroderma (OR = 5.635; 95%CI [1.635–21.50]; p = 0.007) and the presence of dry eye syndrome at baseline (OR = 3.51; 95%CI [3.158–13.90]; p = 0.031) were independent factors associated with dupilumab‐induced blepharoconjunctivitis.

Limitations

Our follow‐up period was 16 weeks and some late‐onset time effects may still occur.

Conclusion

This study showed that most dupilumab‐induced blepharoconjunctivitis cases are de novo. AD severity and conjunctivitis at baseline were not found to be associated risk factors in this study.
Minimum wage spillover effects and social welfare in a model of stochastic job matching
Authors: Nanos Panagiotis
Published: February 2023

In this paper, I carry out a welfare analysis of the minimum wage in the framework of a Diamond–Mortensen–Pissarides model with stochastic job matching. I explore the role of the minimum wage in a labor market with trading externalities and present the necessary and sufficient condition for a minimum wage hike to be efficiency enhancing. In this context, I characterize minimum wage spillover effects and demonstrate that there is a direct link between the welfare effects and spillover effects of a minimum wage. This theoretical finding suggests that the welfare impact of minimum wage changes can be inferred from the empirical observation of spillover effects on the wage distribution.
Do parapatric populations of the ticks Amblyomma tonelliae Nava, Beati & Labruna, 2014 and Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888 (Acari: Ixodidae) hybridize?
Authors: Tarragona Evelina Luisa , Lado Paula , Beati Lorenza , Mangold Atilio José , Guglielmone Alberto Alejandro , Nava Santiago
Published: February 2023

This work aimed to determine if the tick species, Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma tonelliae, hybridize along their contact zones in Argentina. Free‐living adults and nymphs of A. sculptum and A. tonelliae were collected in seven sampling locations of northern Argentina. In four of them, the two species occur in parapatry (possible hybrid zone) whereas in the other three sites, only one species is known to occur. A total of 65 A. sculptum and 65 A. tonelliae from both, allopatric and parapatric populations, were analysed. The nuclear (ITS2) and mitochondrial (COI and 12SrDNA) gene sequences of each tick were amplified and analysed to verify whether or not they could reveal the presence of hybrids among the parapatric samples. No morphological and molecular evidence was found to support the hypothesis of ongoing natural hybridization. Intrinsic postzygotic barriers may be the cause of lack of gene flow between the two species in areas of co‐ocurrence. The results can be explained by the length of time the two lineages spent in allopatry since the middle of the Miocene and before their respective distribution range expanded again reaching a narrow secondary contact zone.
Real‐Time Perceptions of Historical GDP Data Uncertainty*
Authors: Galvão Ana Beatriz , Mitchell James
Published: February 2023

GDP is measured with error. But data uncertainty is rarely communicated quantitatively in real‐time. An exception are the fan charts for historical real GDP growth published by the Bank of England. To assess how well data uncertainty is understood, we first evaluate the accuracy of the historical fan charts. We find that data uncertainties can be accurately quantified, even without judgement, using past revisions data. Secondly, we conduct an online survey to gauge perceptions of GDP data uncertainty across a wider set of experts. Our results call for greater communication of data uncertainties to anchor experts' dispersed expectations.
Does benign prostate hyperplasia histopathological variation impact disease‐specific clinical outcomes after transurethral resection?
Authors: Berk Brittany , Acosta Andres , Ernandez John , Dey Tanujit , Kathrins Martin
Published: February 2023

The impact of histopathological variants in stromal and glandular tissue on clinical outcomes following transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is unexplored. We sought to evaluate the relationship between histopathological variations in TURP specimen and postoperative clinical outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of men undergoing initial TURP at our institution from 2017 to 2019. All pathology slides were re‐reviewed by one specialized genitourinary pathologist who was blinded to all clinical data. Types of BPH were defined as: glandular‐predominant (gland:stroma ratio >50%), mixed (gland:stroma ratio 25%–50%), and stromal‐predominant (gland:stromal ratio <25%). Primary clinical outcomes were ∆ post‐void residual and ∆ American Urological Society Symptom Score (AUASS) at 3, 6, and 12 months post‐operatively. We also evaluated for a temporal relationship between time since surgery and ∆AUASS amongst different histopathological subgroups. One hundred and five patients were included in the final analysis. 61/105 (58.1%) had glandular‐predominant histopathology, 21/105 (20%) had stromal‐predominant histopathology, and 23/105 (21.9%) were classified as mixed histopathology. On univariate and multivariate analysis, histopathological subtype was not a significant predictor of any of the clinical post‐operative endpoints of interest at any time points. Disease‐specific outcomes after TURP appear to be consistent across these different histopathologic subtypes.
Optimal selling scheme in social networks: hierarchical signaling, sequential selling, and chain structure
Authors: Zhou Junjie , Liao Chen‐Nan , Chen Ying‐Ju
Published: February 2023

We study the optimal selling scheme when a seller sells a product/service with a positive consumption externality, and customers are uncertain about the product's/service's value. Because early adopters learn this value, we consider the customers' intrinsic signaling incentives and positive feedback effects. Allowing the seller to choose the sequence of customers' decisions (as an endogenous hierarchy) implies that signaling takes place in multiple rounds. To tackle this hierarchical signaling problem, we develop a novel dynamic‐programming approach that yields analytical expressions of the equilibrium outcomes. The profit‐maximizing structure turns out to be a chain in which the seller sells to the customers one by one. The sequential selling scheme is not only profitable for the seller but also beneficial to the society. The profit‐maximizing pricing exhibits a cream‐skimming property–decreasing prices along the sequence. The lack of seller's commitment is detrimental to the social welfare; nonetheless, the sequential selling still boosts up the seller's profit. When customers are allowed to freely disclose their quantity decisions to others, they willingly comply with the seller's plan of information transmissions. Despite the inherent value uncertainty, the optimal usage of information transmissions requires deliberate restricted access to information among customers. Our result also suggests some congruence between the profit and welfare maximization.
Barriers to Entry
Authors: Wilson Valencia
Published: February 2023

Objective/Context: After the 2016 Peace Accords in Colombia, civil society began working towards the reintegration of former Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) combatants towards a peaceful coexistence. However, the success of these initiatives remain doubtful for a more inclusive society while reducing risks of rearmament and violence against citizens in a post-conflict environment. Methodology: This research identifies and evaluates aggregated statistics and survey data expressing concerns for and about former combatants, perspectives from Afro-Colombians, along with interviews from former combatants to help determine the difficulties and opportunities to access the labor market. Conclusion: The study finds that a large barrier to successful economic reintegration to the labor market is stigma. Despite these current initiatives, this article seeks to explore if and what barriers continue to exist for former combatants reintegrating into the labor market. Originality: This article provides recommendations that support local organizations doing business in Colombia and provide tailored best practices ensure meaningful ways to incorporate ex-combatants into the labor market.

 

Objetivo: Después de los Acuerdos de Paz de 2016 en Colombia, la sociedad civil comenzó a trabajar para la reintegración de los excombatientes de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) para una convivencia pacífica, sin embargo, el éxito de estas iniciativas sigue siendo dudoso si se quiere tener una sociedad más inclusiva, que reduzca los riesgos de rearme y de violencia contra los ciudadanos en un entorno de posconflicto. Metodología: A pesar de las iniciativas actuales, esta investigación busca explorar si hay barreras que continúan existiendo para los excombatientes que se reintegran al mercado laboral. Es así como planteo que una gran barrera para la reintegración económica exitosa al mercado laboral es el estigma. Esta investigación identifica y evalúa estadísticas agregadas y datos de encuestas que expresan inquietudes por y sobre los excombatientes, junto con entrevistas a excombatientes para ayudar a determinar las dificultades y oportunidades para acceder al mercado laboral. Originalidad: Estas recomendaciones buscan apoyar a las organizaciones locales que hacen negocios en Colombia. Además de ofrecer mejores prácticas adaptadas y garantizar formas significativas de incorporar a los excombatientes al mercado laboral.
School Factors Associated with Perpetrators and Victims of Direct and Indirect Bullying among Adolescents
Authors: Antoñanzas José Luís , Ayllón Negrillo Ester , Moyano Nieves , Cano Jacobo
Published: February 2023

Adolescents´ social relationships evolve rapidly, and that evolution is not exempt from difficulties and challenges. Therefore it is essential to know which factors influence social relationships in order to pinpoint those factors that put adolescents at risk, and to design strategies of prevention and intervention against school violence. This study evaluated 5,028 secondary education students aged 12-16 years old. A correlation was made among the variables of age, gender, school coexistence, and direct/indirect bullying of both the bully and the victim. In turn, a multiple regression analysis was performed to predict direct and/or indirect bullying on the part of the perpetrator and/or the victim. The results revealed the existence of significant relationships among those variables. We discuss these relationships and provide an intervention proposal to prevent aggressive behavior at schools. Several future research lines can be drawn.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Lauric Acid Melting at Suboptimal Inclines
Authors: Troxler Casey J. , Freeman Thomas B. , Rodriguez Rafael M. , Boetcher Sandra K. S.
Published: February 2023

Accurate modeling of melting and solidification processes is important to many engineering applications. The research presented in this article is part of an ongoing effort to document the melting behavior of lauric acid in a 50 mm by 120 mm rectangular container with an isothermal side—an experiment commonly used to validate numerical models. This article presents new experimental data of melting occurring at 135 deg and 180 deg inclines for isothermal wall temperatures of 60∘C and 70∘C. The data were processed to show the melt interface development and the melt fraction as a function of time. Furthermore, numerical simulations using the enthalpy-porosity method of the 135 deg incline were also conducted. In the numerical simulations, the mushy zone constant was parametrically varied. Different density approaches commonly found in the literature (e.g., density as a function of temperature or Boussinesq approximation) were utilized and examined. It was found that the choice of density method had a significant effect on the results. Implications of potential modeling choices unique to the enthalpy-porosity method are discussed related to the validation of models.
Geodesic Convolutional Neural Network Characterization of Macro-Porous Latent Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Mallya Nithin , Baqué Pierre , Yvernay Pierre , Pozzetti Andrea , Fua Pascal , Haussener Sophia
Published: February 2023

High-temperature latent heat thermal energy storage with metallic alloy phase change materials (PCMs) utilize the high latent heat and high thermal conductivity to gain a competitive edge over existing sensible and latent storage technologies. Novel macroporous latent heat storage units can be used to enhance the limiting convective heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and the PCM to attain higher power density while maintaining high energy density. 3D monolithic percolating macroporous latent heat storage unit cells with random and ordered substructure topology were created using synthetic tomography data. Full 3D thermal computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with phase change modeling was performed on 1000+ such structures using effective heat capacity method and temperature- and phase-dependent thermophysical properties. Design parameters, including transient thermal and flow characteristics, phase change time and pressure drop, were extracted as output scalars from the simulated charging process. As such structures cannot be parametrized meaningfully, a mesh-based Geodesic Convolutional Neural Network (GCNN) designed to perform direct convolutions on the surface and volume meshes of the macroporous structures was trained to predict the output scalars along with pressure, temperature, velocity distributions in the volume, and surface distributions of heat flux and shear stress. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) using macroscopic properties—porosity, surface area, and two-point surface-void correlation functions—of the structures as inputs was used as a standard regressor for comparison. The GCNN exhibited high prediction accuracy of the scalars, outperforming the ANN and linear/exponential fits, owing to the disentangling property of GCNNs where predictions were improved by the introduction of correlated surface and volume fields. The trained GCNN behaves as a coupled CFD-heat transfer emulator predicting the volumetric distribution of temperature, pressure, velocity fields, and heat flux and shear stress distributions at the PCM–HTF interface. This deep learning based methodology offers a unique, generalized, and computationally competitive way to quickly predict phase change behavior of high power density macroporous structures in a few seconds and has the potential to optimize the percolating macroporous unit cells to application specific requirements.
Robust Attitude Controller Design for an Uncommon Quadrotor With Big and Small Tilt Rotors
Authors: Baskın Mehmet , Leblebicioğlu Kemal
Published: February 2023

In this article, a robust attitude controller design for an uncommon quadrotor aerial vehicle is discussed. This aerial vehicle is designed to have two big rotors on the longitudinal axis to increase the lift capacity and flight endurance, and two small tilt rotors on the lateral axis to stabilize the attitude. Similar to other multirotors, linearization of the full nonlinear model and using an appropriate rotor mixing matrix give the approximate diagonal attitude model of this quadrotor around hover. However, this ideal model lacks sensor delays, uncertain parameters, flexible modes of a structure, and inexact decoupling dynamics. Therefore, using this model in the control design limits the achievable attitude control performance. Unlike most studies, a system identification method is applied to estimate a more accurate model and increase the resulting attitude control performance. The aim of this paper is to obtain a suitable nominal model with accompanying uncertainty using robust control criterion in the system identification. In this way, an uncertain model that gives high performance in the subsequent robust control design is obtained. The experimental results show that this combined identification and robust control procedure improves attitude control performance compared to existing classical controller design methods.
Translational Physical Activity Research Involving People With Disabilities: A Review and a Call to Action
Authors: Martin Ginis Kathleen A. , Lawrason Sarah V.C. , Berrisford Haley A.
Published: February 2023

The health and physical activity (PA) needs of people living with disabilities are underserved and understudied. This article provides an overview of research on PA and health research in people with disabilities. Research gaps and inequities are highlighted, along with their impact on advancing the fundamental rights of people with disabilities to fully participate in PA. The importance of translational PA research to disability communities is described. We provide case studies from two lines of PA and disability research that have been moved along the translational spectrum and into practice. The article concludes with three calls to action to kinesiology research and practitioners: (a) to include people with disabilities in research; (b) to advocate for adequate resources and support in alignment with equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts; and (c) to work in meaningful partnership with people with disabilities to support translational research programs that have real-world impacts.
Cytidine deaminases catalyze the conversion of
N
(
S
,
O
)
4
-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides
Authors: Urbelienė Nina , Tiškus Matas , Tamulaitienė Giedrė , Gasparavičiūtė Renata , Lapinskaitė Ringailė , Jauniškis Vykintas , Sūdžius Jurgis , Meškienė Rita , Tauraitė Daiva , Skrodenytė Emilija , Urbelis Gintaras , Vaitekūnas Justas , Meškys Rolandas
Published: February 2023

Cytidine deaminases (CDAs) catalyze the hydrolytic deamination of cytidine and 2′-deoxycytidine to uridine and 2′-deoxyuridine. Here, we report that prokaryotic homo-tetrameric CDAs catalyze the nucleophilic substitution at the fourth position of
N
4
-acyl-cytidines,
N
4
-alkyl-cytidines, and
N
4
-alkyloxycarbonyl-cytidines, and
S
4
-alkylthio-uridines and
O
4
-alkyl-uridines, converting them to uridine and corresponding amide, amine, carbamate, thiol, or alcohol as leaving groups. The x-ray structure of a metagenomic CDA_F14 and the molecular modeling of the CDAs used in this study show a relationship between the bulkiness of a leaving group and the volume of the binding pocket, which is partly determined by the flexible β3α3 loop of CDAs. We propose that CDAs that are active toward a wide range of substrates participate in salvage and/or catabolism of variously modified pyrimidine nucleosides. This identified promiscuity of CDAs expands the knowledge about the cellular turnover of cytidine derivatives, including the pharmacokinetics of pyrimidine-based prodrugs.
Sodium channel-inhibiting drugs and cancer-specific survival: a population-based study of electronic primary care data
Authors: Fairhurst Caroline , Doran Tim , Martin Fabiola , Watt Ian , Bland Martin , Brackenbury William J
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Antiepileptic and antiarrhythmic drugs inhibit voltage-gated sodium (Na+) channels (VGSCs), and preclinical studies show that these medications reduce tumour growth, invasion and metastasis. We investigated the association between VGSC inhibitor use and survival in patients with breast, bowel and prostate cancer.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Individual electronic primary healthcare records extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Participants

Records for 132 996 patients with a diagnosis of breast, bowel or prostate cancer.

Outcome measures

Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyse cancer-specific survival associated with exposure to VGSC inhibitors. Exposure to non-VGSC-inhibiting antiepileptic medication and other non-VGSC blockers were also considered. Drug exposure was treated as a time-varying covariate to account for immortal time bias.

Results

During 1 002 225 person-years of follow-up, there were 42 037 cancer-specific deaths. 53 724 (40.4%) patients with cancer had at least one prescription for a VGSC inhibitor of interest. Increased risk of cancer-specific mortality was associated with exposure to this group of drugs (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.56 to 1.63, p<0.001). This applied to VGSC-inhibiting tricyclic antidepressants (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.50 to 1.65, p<0.001), local anaesthetics (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.55, p<0.001) and anticonvulsants (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.48, p<0.001) and persisted in sensitivity analyses. In contrast, exposure to VGSC-inhibiting class 1c and 1d antiarrhythmics was associated with significantly improved cancer-specific survival (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88, p<0.001 and HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.88, p=0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

Association between VGSC inhibitor use and mortality in patients with cancer varies according to indication. Exposure to VGSC-inhibiting antiarrhythmics, but not anticonvulsants, supports findings from preclinical data, with improved survival. However, additional confounding factors may underlie these associations, highlighting the need for further study.
Introduction of the Ellavi uterine balloon tamponade into the Kenyan and Ghanaian maternal healthcare package for improved postpartum haemorrhage management: an implementation research study
Authors: Parker Megan E , Qureshi Zahida , Deganus Sylvia , Soki James , Cofie Patience , Dapaah Patience , Owusu Rosemond , Gwako George , Osoti Alfred , Ogutu Omondi , Opira Jacqueline , Sunkwa-Mills Gifty , Boamah Martin , Srofenyoh Emmanuel , Aboagye Patrick , Fofie Chris , Kaliti Stephen , Morozoff Chloe , Secor Andrew , Metzler Mutsumi , Abu-Haydar Elizabeth
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Use of intrauterine balloon tamponades for refractory postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) management has triggered recent debate since effectiveness studies have yielded conflicting results. Implementation research is needed to identify factors influencing successful integration into maternal healthcare packages. The Ellavi uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) (Ellavi) is a new low-cost, preassembled device for treating refractory PPH.

Design

A mixed-methods, prospective, implementation research study examining the adoption, sustainability, fidelity, acceptability and feasibility of introducing a newly registered UBT. Cross-sectional surveys were administered post-training and post-use over 10 months.

Setting

Three Ghanaian (district, regional) and three Kenyan (levels 4–6) healthcare facilities.

Participants

Obstetric staff (n=451) working within participating facilities.

Intervention

PPH management training courses were conducted with obstetric staff.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Facility measures of adoption, sustainability and fidelity and individual measures of acceptability and feasibility.

Results

All participating hospitals adopted the device during the study period and the majority (52%–62%) of the employed obstetric staff were trained on the Ellavi; sustainability and fidelity to training content were moderate. The Ellavi was suited for this context due to high delivery and PPH burden. Dynamic training curriculums led by local UBT champions and clear instructions on the packaging yielded positive attitudes and perceptions, and high user confidence, resulting in overall high acceptability. Post-training and post-use, ≥79% of the trainees reported that the Ellavi was easy to use. Potential barriers to use included the lack of adjustable drip stands and difficulties calculating bag height according to blood pressure. Overall, the Ellavi can be feasibly integrated into PPH care and was preferred over condom catheters.

Conclusions

The training package and time saving Ellavi design facilitated its adoption, acceptability and feasibility. The Ellavi is appropriate and feasible for use among obstetric staff and can be successfully integrated into the Kenyan and Ghanaian maternal healthcare package.

Trial registration numbers

NCT04502173;NCT05340777.
FLUID trial: a hospital-wide open-label cluster cross-over pragmatic comparative effectiveness randomised pilot trial comparing normal saline to Ringer’s lactate
Authors: McIntyre Lauralyn Ann , Fergusson Dean A , McArdle Tracy , Fox-Robichaud Alison , English Shane W , Martin Claudio , Marshall John , Cook Deborah J , Graham Ian D , Hawken Steven , McCartney Colin , Menon Kusum , Saginur Raphael , Seely Andrew , Stiell Ian , Thavorn Kednapa , Weijer Charles , Iyengar Akshai , Muscedere John , Forster Alan J , Taljaard Monica
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Normal saline (NS) and Ringer’s lactate (RL) are the most common crystalloids used for fluid therapy. Despite evidence of possible harm associated with NS (eg, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, impaired kidney function and death), few large multi-centre randomised trials have evaluated the effect of these fluids on clinically important outcomes. We conducted a pilot trial to explore the feasibility of a large trial powered for clinically important outcomes.

Design

FLUID was a pragmatic pilot cluster randomised cross-over trial.

Setting

Four hospitals in the province of Ontario, Canada

Participants

All hospitalised adult and paediatric patients with an incident admission to the hospital over the course of each study period.

Interventions

A hospital wide policy/strategy which stocked either NS or RL throughout the hospital for 12 weeks before crossing over to the alternate fluid for the subsequent 12 weeks.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary feasibility outcome was study fluid protocol adherence. Secondary feasibility outcomes included time to Research Ethics Board (REB) approval and trial initiation. Primary (composite of death or re-admission to hospital in first 90 days of index hospitalisation) and secondary clinical outcomes were analysed descriptively.

Results

Among 24 905 included patients, mean age 59.1 (SD 20.5); 13 977 (56.1%) were female and 21 150 (85.0%) had medical or surgical admitting diagnoses. Overall, 96 821 L were administered in the NS arm, and 78 348 L in the RL arm. Study fluid adherence to NS and RL was 93.7% (site range: 91.6%–98.0%) and 79.8% (site range: 72.5%–83.9%), respectively. Time to REB approval ranged from 2 to 48 days and readiness for trial initiation from 51 to 331 days. 5544 (22.3%) patients died or required hospital re-admission in the first 90 days.

Conclusions

The future large trial is feasible. Anticipating and addressing logistical challenges during the planning stages will be imperative.

Trial registration number

NCT02721485.