bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the deceleration of Fanaroff-Riley Class I jets: mass loading of magnetized jets by stellar winds.
Authors: Anglés-Castillo Andreu , Perucho Manel , Martí José María , Laing Robert A
Published: October 2020

In this paper we present steady-state RMHD simulations that include a mass-load term to study the process of jet deceleration. The mass-load mimics the injection of a proton-electron plasma from stellar winds within the host galaxy into initially pair plasma jets, with mean stellar mass-losses ranging from 10−14 to 10−9 M⊙ yr−1. The spatial jet evolution covers ∼500 pc from jet injection in the grid at 10 pc from the jet nozzle. Our simulations use a relativistic gas equation of state and a pressure profile for the ambient medium. We compare these simulations with previous dynamical simulations of relativistic, non-magnetised jets. Our results show that toroidal magnetic fields can prevent fast jet expansion and the subsequent embedding of further stars via magnetic tension. In this sense, magnetic fields avoid a runaway deceleration process. Furthermore, when the mass-load is large enough to increase the jet density and produce fast, differential jet expansion, the conversion of magnetic energy flux into kinetic energy flux (i.e., magnetic acceleration), helps to delay the deceleration process with respect to non-magnetised jets. We conclude that the typical stellar population in elliptical galaxies cannot explain jet deceleration in classical FRI radio galaxies. However, we observe a significant change in the jet composition, thermodynamical parameters and energy dissipation along its evolution, even for moderate values of the mass-load.
Aberrant Perceptual Judgments on Speech-Relevant Acoustic Features in Hallucination-Prone Individuals
Authors: Erb Julia , Kreitewolf Jens , Pinheiro Ana P , Obleser Jonas
Published: October 2020

Hallucinations constitute an intriguing model of how percepts are generated and how perception can fail. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that an altered perceptual weighting of the spectro-temporal modulations that characterize speech contributes to the emergence of auditory verbal hallucinations. Healthy human adults (N = 168) varying in their predisposition to hallucinations had to choose the “more speech-like” of two presented ambiguous sound textures and give a confidence judgment. Using psychophysical reverse correlation, we quantified the contribution of different acoustic features to a listener’s perceptual decisions. Higher hallucination proneness covaried with perceptual down-weighting of speech-typical, low-frequency acoustic energy and prioritizing of high frequencies. Remarkably, higher confidence judgments in single trials depended not only on acoustic evidence but also on an individual’s hallucination proneness and schizotypy score. In line with an account of altered perceptual priors and differential weighting of sensory evidence, these results show that hallucination-prone individuals exhibit qualitative and quantitative changes in their perception of the modulations typical for speech.
CE: Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Nurse's Role
Authors: Dunlap Jayne Jennings , Filipek Pauline A.
Published: October 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the most common and fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States, affecting approximately one in 54 children nationwide. Early intervention for ASD produces the best outcomes—and developmental surveillance and screening are prerequisites to intervention. Although screening has been strongly recommended for two decades, the majority of U.S. children are not screened for ASD. Here, the authors discuss ASD epidemiology, screening, and diagnosis, as well as appropriate early actions nurses can take when ASD is suspected.
Understanding the most commonly billed diagnoses in primary care
Authors: Rogers Julia
Published: October 2020

This article, one of 12 in a series on most commonly billed diagnoses in primary care, provides a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiologic processes related to urinary tract infections (UTIs). The clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, treatments, and billing codes associated with UTIs will be described.
Preliminary Evidence for the Fibromyalgia Integrative Training Program (FIT Teens) Improving Strength and Movement Biomechanics in Juvenile Fibromyalgia
Authors: Black William R. , DiCesare Christopher A. , Thomas Staci , Pfeiffer Megan , Williams Sara E. , Kitchen Katie , Ting Tracy V. , Myer Gregory D. , Kashikar-Zuck Susmita
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Current therapies for juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM), such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), improve pain coping but are less effective for pain reduction or engagement in physical activity. The Fibromyalgia Integrative Training for Teens (FIT Teens) program combines CBT with specialized neuromuscular exercise training for adolescents with JFM. The current investigation examined the effects of FIT Teens versus CBT on secondary outcomes of strength and functional biomechanics, utilizing 3D Motion capture technology. This study aimed to explore improvements in strength and biomechanics in both a CBT-only group and the FIT Teens intervention.

Materials and Methods:

Forty adolescents with JFM (12 to 18 y) were randomized to an 8-week, group-based protocol of either FIT Teens or CBT only. Assessments occurred pretreatment and posttreatment. Hip and knee strength were assessed with dynamometry, dynamic postural stability was measured using the Star Excursion Balance Test, and movement biomechanics were assessed with 3D motion analyses during a drop vertical jump (DVJ) task.

Results:

The FIT Teens group exhibited improvements in hip abduction strength and greater external hip rotation during the DVJ task. Some differences between the FIT Teens and CBT groups were observed in peak hip internal moment in the transverse plane. Decreased hip adduction during the DVJ was also observed in the FIT Teens group.

Discussion:

Results suggest that the FIT Teens program shows promise in improving hip abduction strength and body biomechanics, indicating improvements in stability during functional movements. These improvements may facilitate ability to initiate and maintain regular physical activity in youth with widespread musculoskeletal pain.
Electrical Stun Gun and Modern Implantable Cardiac Stimulators: Update for a New Stun Gun Model
Authors: Mattei Eugenio , Censi Federica , Calcagnini Giovanni
Published: October 2020

In 2017, the Italian National Institute of Health conducted a study to evaluate the potential risks of Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEW, AKA “stun guns”) for users bearing a pacemaker (PM) or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The study addressed two specific models of stun guns: the TASER model X2 and AXON model X26P. In 2019, the same experimental protocol and testing procedure was adopted to evaluate the risk for another model of stun gun, the MAGEN model 5 (MAGEN, Israel). The MAGEN 5 differs from the previous stun guns tested in terms of peak voltage generated, duration of the shock, and trigger modality for repeated shocks. This note is an update of the previous study results, including the measurements on the MAGEN 5 stun gun. Despite the differences between the stun gun models, the effects on the PM/ICD behavior were the same as previously observed for the TASER stun guns.
Y-27632 Promotes the Repair Effect of Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells on Corneal Endothelial Wound Healing
Authors: Zhang Weijie , Shao Chunyi , Yu Fei , Chen Junzhao , Fu Yao , Fan Xianqun
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To investigate the proliferation of umbilical cord blood–derived endothelial progenitor cells (UCB EPCs) and the differentiation efficiency toward corneal endothelial cell (CEC)-like cells induced by rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 and to determine the most effective strategy for repairing corneal endothelium injuries in rabbits.

Methods:

UCB EPCs were cultured in Endothelial Cell Growth Medium-2 (EGM-2) media or conditioned media (CM) from human CECs, with and without the addition of Y-27632. Bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunocytochemistry and cell counting kit-8 assays were used to examine the proliferation of the cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunocytochemistry were used to detect the CEC markers. Nd:YAG laser was used to establish an appropriate endothelium injury model based on rabbit corneas. The following intracameral injections were then performed to repair the model: 100 μL Opti-MEM I reduced serum medium (model group), 2 × 105UCB EPCs diluted in 100 μL Opti-MEM I reduced serum medium (EPC group), 100 μM Y-27632 diluted in 100 μL Opti-MEM I reduced serum medium (Y-27632 group), and 2 × 105UCB EPCs supplemented with 100 μM Y-27632 (final volume 100 μL, EPC/Y-27632 group). The follow-up tests focused on corneal transparency, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, and in vivo confocal microscopy, which were performed to evaluate the healing of the wounds.

Results:

Culturing UCB EPCs in CM supplemented with 10 μM Y-27632 resulted in higher proliferation rates compared with EGM-2 media and CM. There were significantly improved protein levels of Zona Occludens 1, N-cadherin, Na+-K+-ATPase α1, Na+-K+-ATPase β1, and Pax6 and improved mRNA levels of collagen type IV and VIII and AQP1. The combined intracameral injection of Y-27632 and UCB EPCs accelerated the recovery of corneal transparency, regression of corneal edema, and healing of the corneal endothelium compared with the injections of Y-27632 and UCB EPCs on their own.

Conclusions:

Y-27632 not only promotes the proliferation of UCB EPCs but also contributes to differentiation of UCB EPCs toward CECs in the presence of CM. The intracameral injection of Y-27632 itself promotes the healing of corneal endothelium wounds. On this basis, supplementing UCB EPCs with Y-27632 accelerates the healing of corneal endothelium wounds.
Effects of Nonporous Silica Nanoparticles on Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells
Authors: Kim Martha , Park Joo-Hee , Jeong Hyejoong , Hong Jinkee , Park Choul Yong
Published: October 2020

Precis:

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), which are potential drug carriers for glaucoma treatment, may induce mild dose-dependent cytotoxicity but not so severe as to compromise a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in immortalized trabecular meshwork (TM) cells.

Purpose:

Nanoparticle-based ophthalmic drug delivery is a promising field of drug development. In this study, we evaluated the effect of nonporous SiNPs on human TM cells.

Methods:

TM cells were exposed to different concentrations (0 to 100 µg/mL) of SiNPs (50, 100, and 150 nm) for up to 48 hours. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the intracellular distribution of SiNPs. Cellular viability assay, reactive oxygen species generation, autophagy, and activation of the mTOR pathway were evaluated. Histologic analysis of the TM structure was performed after intracameral injection of SiNPs (0.05 mL of 200 µg/mL concentration) in rabbits.

Results:

SiNPs were taken up by TM cells and localized in the cytoplasm. Neither nuclear entry nor mitochondrial damage was observed. SiNPs induced a mild but dose-dependent increase of lactate dehydrogenase. However, neither increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels nor apoptosis was observed after SiNPs exposure. Significant coactivation of autophagy and the mTOR pathway were observed with exposure to SiNPs. Aqueous plexus structure was well maintained without inflammation in rabbits after SiNPs exposure.

Conclusions:

SiNPs induce mild and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in TM cells. However, the toxicity level is not enough to compromise the mTOR pathway of TM cells and histologic structure of the aqueous plexus tissue.
Why Vancomycin Is Overly Prescribed Despite the Lack of Supporting Microbiological Data
Authors: YaddolahiFar Mohaddeseh , Sheybani Fereshte , Eslami Saeid , Taherzadeh Zhila , Naderi HamidReza , Mohseni Maryam , Zakeri Elmira , Khosravi Nasrin
Published: October 2020

Objective

To develop a concept map in order to evaluate the factors associated with continuing of vancomycin after 48 to 72 hours of prescription despite the lack of supporting microbiological data.

Methods

This study was conducted in a teaching hospital affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between January 2017 and March 2017. After demonstrating the high rate of overuse and inappropriate use of vancomycin in our teaching hospital in the first arm of the study, we attempted to evaluate the factors associated with this behavior by developing a concept map. In this study, cluster approach of concept mapping was used and the importance of statements was scored by using the 5-point Likert method (1 for the lowest score and 5 for the highest score).

Results

Twenty-one physicians were participated, with a male to female ratio of 2. During the brainstorming session, about 25 statements were generated, which eventually resulted in sorting of 16 appropriate statements. The highest scored statements for continuing vancomycin after 48 to 72 hours of prescription in the absence of supporting microbiological data was worries and concerns of physicians regarding critically ill status of patients (score, 3.76) and lack of updated information on microbiological spectrum and antimicrobial resistance pattern of infections at the regional level (score, 3.57). In the final cluster analysis, the mean of importance of a cluster consisted of “health care system-physician related factors” was scored highest (score, 3.2), as compared with other created clusters.

Conclusions

According to the result of our study, improving vancomycin use requires more effective education of basic principles of diagnosis of infectious clinical syndromes and the concept of deescalation of antibiotics. It should also address physicians' concerns about the management of critically ill septic patients. In addition, providing the physicians with updated information on microbiological spectrum and antimicrobial resistance pattern of infections at the regional level can be effective in improving vancomycin prescription behavior.
Unveiling the basis of antiretroviral therapy-induced osteopenia: the effects of Dolutegravir, Darunavir and Atazanavir on osteogenesis
Authors: Cazzaniga Alessandra , Scrimieri Roberta , Galli Massimo , Maier Jeanette , Rusconi Stefano
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Osteopenia is frequent in HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and has been linked to increased osteoclastogenesis. Little is known about the effects of ART on osteogenesis.

Design:

We investigated the effect on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and osteoblasts of Darunavir and Dolutegravir, the most highly used as anchor drugs within a three-drug regimen, and Atazanavir, which was widely utilized in the past.

Results:

We found that Atazanavir and Dolutegravir delay the osteogenic differentiation of hMSC, impair the activity of osteoblasts and inhibit their conversion into osteocytes, whereas Darunavir exerts no effect.

Conclusion:

Atazanavir and Dolutegravir impair osteogenesis. It is essential to diagnose impaired osteogenesis early and to devise effective therapeutic interventions to preserve bone health in ART-treated HIV patients, putting it in the context of a correct antiretroviral combination.
Achieving maternal viral load suppression for elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in South Africa
Authors: Moyo Faith , Mazanderani Ahmad Haeri , Murray Tanya , Sherman Gayle G. , Kufa Tendesayi
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To describe changes in maternal viral control over time in South African women living with HIV (WLHIV) using surveillance data from the National Health Laboratory Service's Corporate Data Warehouse (NHLS CDW).

Design:

A retrospective cohort analysis of maternal viral load during pregnancy and up to 15 months postpartum was performed amongst WLHIV (15–49 years) within the public-health sector between 2016 and 2017.

Methods:

HIV and pregnancy-related test data were used to create a synthetic cohort of pregnant WLHIV from the NHLS CDW. Syphilis-screening, in association with ward type and/or postpregnancy cervical screening and/or birth HIV test and/or positive β-hCG, was used as a proxy for pregnancy. The syphilis-screening date marked the first antenatal care visit (fANC). Fractional polynomial models described viral load evolution from fANC up to 15 months postdelivery. Piecewise linear regression models determined factors associated with viral load decline.

Findings:

Among 178 319 pregnant WLHIV, 345 174 viral load tests were performed [median = 2 (IQR: 2–3) per woman]. At fANC, 85 545 (48%) women were antiretroviral therapy (ART) experienced; 88 877 (49.8%) were not and 3897 (2.2%) unknown. Proportions of viraemia (viral load ≥50 copies/ml) were 39 756 (53.6%) at first viral load performed during pregnancy, 14 780 (36.9%) at delivery and 24 328 (33.5%) postpartum. Maternal age at least 25 years, CD4+ cell count at least 500 cells/μl and viral load less than 50 copies/ml at baseline predicted sustained viral load suppression during follow-up.

Conclusion:

Despite high-ART coverage among pregnant women in South Africa, only 63% of WLHIV achieved viral load less than 50 copies/ml at delivery. Maternal viral load monitoring requires prioritization for maternal health and eMTCT.
Modeling the cost-effectiveness of point-of-care platforms for infant diagnosis of HIV in sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Salvatore Phillip P. , de Broucker Gatien , Vojnov Lara , Moss William J. , Dowdy David W. , Sutcliffe Catherine G.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Early infant diagnosis of HIV (EID) improves child survival through earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). In many settings, ART initiation is hindered by delays in testing performed in centralized labs. Point-of-care (PoC) platforms offer opportunities to improve the timeliness of ART initiation.

Methods:

We used a mathematical model to estimate the costs and performance of on-site PoC testing using three platforms (m-PIMA, GeneXpert IV, and GeneXpert Edge) compared with the standard of care (SoC). Primary outcomes included ART initiation within 60 days of sample collection, HIV-related mortality before ART initiation, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Results:

PoC testing significantly increased ART initiation within 60 days (from 19% with SoC to 82–84% with PoC) and decreased HIV-related mortality (from 23% with SoC to 5% with PoC). ART initiation and mortality were similar across PoC platforms. When only used for EID and with high coverage of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, ICERs for PoC testing compared with the SoC ranged from $430 to $1097 per additional infant on ART within 60 days and from $1527 to $3888 per death averted. PoC-based testing was more cost-effective in settings with lower PMTCT coverage, greater delays in the SoC, and when PoC instruments could be integrated with other disease programs.

Conclusion:

Our findings illustrate that PoC platforms can dramatically improve the timeliness of EID and linkage to HIV care. The cost-effectiveness of PoC platforms depends on the cost of PoC testing, existing access to diagnostic testing, and the ability to integrate PoC testing with non-EID programs.
Adult Medulloblastoma Depicted With 99mTc-HYNIC-[D-Phe1, Tyr3-Octreotide] SPECT/CT
Authors: Spyridonidis Trifon , Papathanasiou Nikolaos , Spiliotopoulou Maria , Papadimitropoulos Costas , Apostolopoulos Dimitrios J.
Published: October 2020

Although medulloblastoma constitutes the second most common malignant brain tumor in children, it encountered very rarely in adults. The incidence of adult medulloblastoma is approximately 0.6 to 1 case per million. It accounts for less than 1% of adult brain tumors and is located most commonly at the posterior cranial fossa. We present an extremely rare case of a 67-year-old man with cerebellar medulloblastoma with residual disease after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, depicted with 99mTc-HYNIC-[D-Phe1, Tyr3-Octreotide] SPECT/CT. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy was performed for staging and for the possibility of treatment with somatostatin analogs or peptide radionuclide therapy.
Feasibility of Using Posterior Auricular Artery as Landmark for Identification of Facial Nerve Trunk in Parotid Surgery: A Cadaver Study
Authors: Reddy Gontu Gopi Satya Sai , Verma Roshan K. , Devarapalli Naga Surya Prakash , Sahni Daisy , Bakshi Jaimanti , Panda Naresh K.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Despite good surgical knowledge of the anatomy of parotid gland and meticulous surgical technique, the incidence of facial palsy in parotid surgeries is up to 26.7% transient and 1.7% complete facial palsy(1). The risk of facial palsy increases further in malignant and revision cases.

Method:

Superficial parotidectomy was done in 14 cadaveric hemi faces in 10 cadavers. Posterior auricular artery and its stylomastoid branch was dissected and facial nerve trunk was identified in all cases. The relationship of posterior auricular artery along with its stylomastoid branch with the facial nerve trunk was studied and recorded.

Result:

Posterior auricular artery was found running inferior to the facial nerve trunk in 12 cadaveric dissection while the posterior auricular artery was found crossing below the main trunk of facial in 2 cadaver dissection. The average distance between PAA and facial nerve trunk was 7 mm (2–14 mm) Stylomastoid artery was found arising from Posterior auricular artery in 12 of 14 and it was found running medial to the facial nerve trunk in all the 8 cadavers.

Conclusion:

Post auricular artery can be used as another landmark for identification of the main trunk of facial nerve in parotid surgeries.
Infant categorization as a dynamic process linked to memory
Authors: Althaus Nadja , Gliozzi Valentina , Mayor Julien , Plunkett Kim
Published: October 2020

Recency effects are well documented in the adult and infant literature: recognition and recall memory are better for recently occurring events. We explore recency effects in infant categorization, which does not merely involve memory for individual items, but the formation of abstract category representations. We present a computational model of infant categorization that simulates category learning in 10-month-olds. The model predicts that recency effects outweigh previously reported order effects for the same stimuli. According to the model, infant behaviour at test should depend mainly on the identity of the most recent training item. We evaluate these predictions in a series of experiments with 10-month-old infants. Our results show that infant behaviour confirms the model’s prediction. In particular, at test infants exhibited a preference for a category outlier over the category average only if the final training item had been close to the average, rather than distant from it. Our results are consistent with a view of categorization as a highly dynamic process where the end result of category learning is not the overall average of all stimuli encountered, but rather a fluid representation that moves depending on moment-to-moment novelty. We argue that this is a desirable property of a flexible cognitive system that adapts rapidly to different contexts.
Network representations of diversity in scientific teams
Authors: Anderson Katharine
Published: October 2020

One strength of network analysis is its ability to encapsulate social heterogeneity. Here, we leverage that strength to examine another dimension of individual heterogeneity: heterogeneity of skills, knowledge and experience. This skill heterogeneity is difficult to quantify, but is vitally important to outcomes for both individuals and teams. Complicating the matter, skill diversity can be present on multiple levels. Individuals have different kinds of skills, but they also have different degrees of specialization. Skill diversity on a team level may come from individual skill diversity or focused researchers in different areas. Here, we illustrate our network-based method for characterizing skill sets in a context of increasing importance: scientific collaboration. Using data from the field of economics, we create network-based measures of paper scope, individual specialization, coauthor alignment and team skill diversity. We then use those measures to examine the relationship between skill diversity and publication outcomes.
An information-theoretic approach to study spatial dependencies in small datasets
Authors: Porfiri Maurizio , Ruiz Marín Manuel
Published: October 2020

From epidemiology to economics, there is a fundamental need of statistically principled approaches to unveil spatial patterns and identify their underpinning mechanisms. Grounded in network and information theory, we establish a non-parametric scheme to study spatial associations from limited measurements of a spatial process. Through the lens of network theory, we relate spatial patterning in the dataset to the topology of a network on which the process unfolds. From the available observations of the spatial process and a candidate network topology, we compute a mutual information statistic that measures the extent to which the measurement at a node is explained by observations at neighbouring nodes. For a class of networks and linear autoregressive processes, we establish closed-form expressions for the mutual information statistic in terms of network topological features. We demonstrate the feasibility of the approach on synthetic datasets comprising 25–100 measurements, generated by linear or nonlinear autoregressive processes. Upon validation on synthetic processes, we examine datasets of human migration under climate change in Bangladesh and motor vehicle deaths in the United States of America. For both these real datasets, our approach is successful in identifying meaningful spatial patterns, begetting statistically-principled insight into the mechanisms of important socioeconomic problems.
Editorial: citation malpractice
Authors: Lockwood M.
Published: October 2020

At
Proceedings of the Royal Society A
, something we are always concerned and vigilant about is publication malpractice. This editorial examines the background to some small changes to our reviewer forms that will help us in identifying patterns of worrying behaviour. The importance of this in the context of the relationship of science to policy-making and the public perception of science is stressed.
Bird wings act as a suspension system that rejects gusts
Authors: Cheney Jorn A. , Stevenson Jonathan P. J. , Durston Nicholas E. , Song Jialei , Usherwood James R. , Bomphrey Richard J. , Windsor Shane P.
Published: October 2020

Musculoskeletal systems cope with many environmental perturbations without neurological control. These passive preflex responses aid animals to move swiftly through complex terrain. Whether preflexes play a substantial role in animal flight is uncertain. We investigated how birds cope with gusty environments and found that their wings can act as a suspension system, reducing the effects of vertical gusts by elevating rapidly about the shoulder. This preflex mechanism rejected the gust impulse through inertial effects, diminishing the predicted impulse to the torso and head by 32% over the first 80 ms, before aerodynamic mechanisms took effect. For each wing, the centre of aerodynamic loading aligns with the centre of percussion, consistent with enhancing passive inertial gust rejection. The reduced motion of the torso in demanding conditions simplifies crucial tasks, such as landing, prey capture and visual tracking. Implementing a similar preflex mechanism in future small-scale aircraft will help to mitigate the effects of gusts and turbulence without added computational burden.
Is the X chromosome a hot spot for sexually antagonistic polymorphisms? Biases in current empirical tests of classical theory
Authors: Ruzicka Filip , Connallon Tim
Published: October 2020

Females and males carry nearly identical genomes, which can constrain the evolution of sexual dimorphism and generate conditions that are favourable for maintaining sexually antagonistic (SA) polymorphisms, in which alleles beneficial for one sex are deleterious for the other. An influential theoretical prediction, by Rice (Rice 1984Evolution38, 735–742), is that the X chromosome should be a ‘hot spot’ (i.e. enriched) for SA polymorphisms. While important caveats to Rice's theoretical prediction have since been highlighted (e.g. by Fry (2010)Evolution64, 1510–1516), several empirical studies appear to support it. Here, we show that current tests of Rice's theory—most of which are based on quantitative genetic measures of fitness (co)variance—are frequently biased towards detecting X-linked effects. We show that X-linked genes tend to contribute disproportionately to quantitative genetic patterns of SA fitness variation whether or not the X is enriched for SA polymorphisms. Population genomic approaches for detecting SA loci, including genome-wide association study of fitness and analyses of intersexualFST, are similarly biased towards detecting X-linked effects. In the light of our models, we critically re-evaluate empirical evidence for Rice's theory and discuss prospects for empirically testing it.
Collective navigation can facilitate passage through human-made barriers by homeward migrating Pacific salmon
Authors: Okasaki Connie , Keefer Matthew L. , Westley Peter A. H. , Berdahl Andrew M.
Published: October 2020

The mass migration of animals is one of the great wonders of the natural world. Although there are multiple benefits for individuals migrating in groups, an increasingly recognized benefit is collective navigation, whereby social interactions improve animals’ ability to find their way. Despite substantial evidence from theory and laboratory-based experiments, empirical evidence of collective navigation in nature remains sparse. Here we used a unique large-scale radiotelemetry dataset to analyse the movements of adult Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchussp.) in the Columbia River Basin, USA. These salmon face substantial migratory challenges approaching, entering and transiting fishways at multiple large-scale hydroelectric mainstem dams. We assess the potential role of collective navigation in overcoming these challenges and show that Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), but not sockeye salmon (O. nerka) locate fishways faster and pass in fewer attempts at higher densities, consistent with collective navigation. The magnitude of the density effects were comparable to major established drivers such as water temperature, and model simulations predicted that major fluctuations in population density can have substantial impacts on key quantities including mean passage time and fraction of fish with very long passage times. The magnitude of these effects indicates the importance of incorporating conspecific density and social dynamics into models of the migration process. Density effects on both ability to locate fishways and number of passage attempts have the potential to enrich our understanding of migratory energetics and success of migrating anadromous salmonids. More broadly, our work reveals a potential role of collective navigation, in at least one species, to mitigate the effects of anthropogenic barriers to animals on the move.
Measurement Matters: Changing Penalty Calculations under the Hospital Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP) Cost Hospitals Millions
Authors: Vsevolozhskaya Olga A. , Manz Karina C. , Zephyr Pierre M. , Waters Teresa M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Since October 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has penalized 25% of U.S. hospitals with the highest rates of hospital-acquired conditions under the Hospital Acquired Conditions Reduction Program (HACRP). While early evaluations of the HACRP program reported cumulative reductions in hospital-acquired conditions, more recent studies have not found a clear association between receipt of the HACRP penalty and hospital quality of care. We posit that some of this disconnect may be driven by frequent scoring updates. The sensitivity of the HACRP penalties to updates in the program’s scoring methodology has not been independently evaluated.

Methods

We used hospital discharge records from 14 states to evaluate the association between changes in HACRP scoring methodology and corresponding shifts in penalty status. To isolate the impact of changes in scoring methods over time, we used FY2018 hospital performance data to calculate total HAC scores using FY2015 through FY2018 CMS scoring methodologies.

Results

Comparing hospital penalty status based on various HACRP scoring methodologies over time, we found a significant overlap between penalized hospitals when using FY 2015 and 2016 scoring methodologies (95%) and between FY 2017 and 2018 methodologies (46%), but substantial differences across early vs later years. Only 15% of hospitals were eligible for penalties across all four years. We also found significant changes in a hospital’s (relative) ranking across the various years, indicating that shifts in penalty status were not driven by small changes in HAC scores clustered around the penalty threshold.

Conclusions

HACRP penalties have been highly sensitive to program updates, which are generally announced after performance periods are concluded. This disconnect between performance and penalties calls into question the ability of the HACRP to improve patient safety as intended.
Cash management and performance of index mutual funds
Authors: de Mingo-López Diego Víctor , Matallín-Sáez Juan Carlos , Soler-Domínguez Amparo
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to assess the relationship between cash management and fund performance in index fund portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 104 index mutual funds that track the Standard and Poor 500 stock market index from January 1999 to December 2016, the authors employ quintile portfolios and different regression models to assess the differences in risk-adjusted monthly returns experienced by index funds managing different cash levels in their portfolios. To ensure the robustness of the results, different sub-periods and market states are considered in the analyses as well as other exogenous factors and fund characteristics affecting the level of portfolio cash holdings and index fund performance.

Findings

Results show that index funds holding higher levels of cash and cash equivalents performed significantly worse than their low-cash counterparts. This evidence remains even after considering different sub-periods and bullish and bearish market conditions and controlling for fund expenses and other variables that could drive this cash-performance relationship.

Originality/value

This study expands the extant literature analyzing cash management in the mutual fund industry. More specifically, the analyses focus on index fund portfolios that replicate a specific benchmark, given that their performance differences should not be related to the market evolution but to the factors derived from the fund management and other exogenous issues. These findings are of interest to managers and investors willing to improve their risk-adjusted returns while investing as diversified as a stock market index.
Virtual reality services in academic libraries: deployment experience in Hong Kong
Authors: Suen Rosalinda Lok Ting , Chiu Dickson K.W. , Tang Jeff K.T.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Virtual Reality (VR) has become a popular topic recently, and the quality of immersive experience nowadays is beyond our imagination. While VR applications for entertainment are common, it is a new and popular trend in academic libraries. Although many academic libraries in the West have started to provide VR services to catch up with the trend, the deployment is not quite popular in the East. This research aims to identify the reasons behind such phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

This research explores this phenomenon by studying two selected cases through interviews, site visits, and website/document analysis: the CAVE of the City University of Hong Kong Library and the VR Experience Zone of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Library.

Findings

The findings indicated that VR library services are well-received and meeting user needs. However, the major limitations of using VR in academic libraries are technical capability, space and budget, causing libraries to hesitate in introducing and developing VR services.

Originality/value

Scant studies focus on the development, management and user feedback of VR services in academic libraries, especially in the East. Based on the findings, possible solutions for academic libraries interested in taking part in this trend are suggested.
Actions beyond regulatory compliances: perceived climate strategy proactivity in Indian companies
Authors: Kant Nikhil
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the perceptions of stakeholders as regards the practices of Indian companiesvis-à-visclimate change seeking underpinnings from stakeholder theory and collecting data using a structured questionnaire.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a descriptive analytical research design based on the data collected from a diverse sample of stakeholders of Indian companies through a cross-sectional, self-administered online survey questionnaire.

Findings

The study attaching significance to the stakeholders’ perception as a useful tool underscores that Indian companies have started to engage in preventive measures to minimize the externalities of climate crisis taking cognizance of the stakeholders’ interests amidst their increased awareness, also underlining that their perceptions substantially determine climate strategy proactivity (CSP) in their quest of competitive advantage beyond regulatory compliances. The study finds that incessant growth in the stakeholder awareness has not left companies to remain reluctant from analyzing effects and adopting suitable strategies in India also which, as a fast growing developing country, has witnessed immense growth in the post-liberalization era.

Research limitations/implications

This study would help decision-makers in businesses, policymakers, practitioners and standard-setters by providing further insights on the relevance of stakeholders’ perspectives in CSP in the developing countries. Stakeholders’ perceptions though representing varied categories hint that the actions beyond regulatory compliances need to be in focus in future studies.

Originality/value

The paper elaborates the significance of CSP in developing countries to eliminate the impact of inadequacies that previous studies undertook primarily in developed countries have failed in contextualizing these issues of developing countries.
Campus greening from social sciences: emerging formulas on social responsibility and teaching innovation
Authors: Martinez-Buján Raquel , Santiago-Gómez Elvira , Diz Carlos , Cortes-Vazquez Jose A. , Golías Montserrat
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to show how the Green Campus Program has been implemented at the Faculty of Sociology of the University of A Coruña (Spain). It describes the criteria used to create teaching sustainability actions related to community engagement to introduce education for sustainable development into college curricula.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a human-centered design model approach, as well as on transformative teaching theories, this study explores the criteria used to build the Free Classroom based on a participatory model.

Findings

The authors argue that the success of this activity depends on how it relates to the theme-based specialization of the different academic degrees through which they are managed. Equally important is the creation of permanent spaces that enable the collaboration of other organizations, such as non-governmental associations and local public administrations.

Originality/value

The findings provide valuable insights into how the social dimension of sustainability in higher education institutions can be emphasized. A model of implementation of the activities is offered under which academic, political, student and community agents are coordinated to favor the change of attitudes and behaviors to strengthen SD.
Providing a foundation for decent work and adequate income during health and economic crises: constitutional approaches in 193 countries
Authors: Sprague Aleta , Raub Amy , Heymann Jody
Published: October 2020

Purpose

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads globally, the economic and health consequences are disproportionately affecting marginalized workers. However, countries' existing labor and social security laws often exclude the most vulnerable workers from coverage, exacerbating existing inequalities. Guaranteeing the rights to adequate income even when ill, decent working conditions and nondiscrimination in constitutions may provide a foundation for protecting rights universally, safeguarding against counterproductive austerity measures, and providing a normative foundation for equality and inclusion as economies recover. The purpose of this article is to examine the prevalence of these rights globally and assess some of their early impacts amid the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors created and analyzed a database of constitutional rights for all 193 United Nations member states. All constitutions were double coded by an international multidisciplinary, multilingual team of researchers.

Findings

This study finds that 54% of countries take some approach to guaranteeing income security in their constitutions, including 23% that guarantee income security during illness. Thirty-one percent guarantee the right to safe working conditions. Only 36% of constitutions explicitly guarantee at least some aspect of nondiscrimination at work. With respect to equal rights broadly, constitutional protections are most common on the basis of sex (85%), followed by religion (78%), race/ethnicity (76%), socioeconomic status (59%), disability (27%), citizenship (22%), sexual orientation (5%) and gender identity (3%). Across almost all areas, protections for rights are far more common in constitutions adopted more recently.

Originality/value

This is the first study to systematically examine protections for income security and decent work, together with nondiscrimination, in the constitutions of all 193 UN member states.
Knowledge management in health care: an integrative and result-driven clinical staff management model
Authors: Pereira de Souza Vinícius , Baroni Rodrigo , Choo Chun Wei , Castro José Marcio de , Barbosa Ricardo Rodrigues
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an integrative and result-driven health-care knowledge management (HKM) model and discuss the findings of a research that examines how the KM initiatives of a major private Brazilian hospital system are linked to its health-care performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a top-level Brazilian private hospital system (Mater Dei Healthcare System – MDHS), which is composed of three large hospitals internationally accredited by ISO 9001/2000, NIAHO and JCI. Multiple qualitative approaches were used to collect data such as 16 in-depth interviews with health professionals and managers, document analysis, participatory observation and benchmarking interviews with two reference hospital networks in Brazil.

Findings

The proposed health-oriented KM model is an expansion of the organizational knowing cycle model (Choo, 1996), adding absorptive capacity (ACAP) as a new construct. The paper discusses how ACAP integrates with sense-making, knowledge creation and decision-making processes within the health-care context. Information technology and clinical governance were identified as support factors to the HKM processes.

Practical implications

The paper presents a pragmatic and result-driven knowledge management (KM) model using health-care-welfare key performance indicators, as well as the emergence of KM as an integrative and strategic approach to hospital management.

Originality/value

The present study presents a knowledge-based perspective to clinical staff management, demonstrating the tangible results of KM initiatives that contribute to health and management performance outcomes.
The Italian response to the economic and health crises: a budgetary comparison
Authors: Cepiku Denita , Marchese Benedetta , Mastrodascio Marco
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This article aims at shedding light on differences in terms of crisis management approaches adopted by the Italian government in order to tackle the two most impactful crises that heavily hit the entire globe in the last 15 years: the financial and economic crisis occurred in 2007/2008 and the health crisis occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the article makes conceptual previsions on the potential impact of the health crisis even though, at this time, it is hard to predict the exact extent of its negative consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors implement a comparative approach, in terms of budgetary response, to identify the differences and the consequences of the different responses provided by the Italian government to deal with the two worldwide crises.

Findings

While the economic and financial crisis occurred in the past decade required the Italian government to adopt predominantly austerity measures, the pandemic occurred due to the spreading of COVID-19 pushed the Italian government to adopt investment and fiscal policy based on tax breaks in order to allow the re-launch of the socio-economic fabric of the nation.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper stems from the scant research focused on the budgetary response of governments to tackle global crises. In addition, the paper endeavours to demonstrate the consequences of the myopic vision of the political leaders who, as it occurred in the Italian context, mainly aimed at maximizing the results in the short run at the expense of the potential consequences in the long run.
Professional development for teachers of advanced placement courses
Authors: Small Rebecca , Thessin Rebecca A. , Dardick William R.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore how the Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) supported Advanced Placement (AP) teacher's instructional needs considering the expansion of the AP program in recent decades.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey including Likert-style and open-ended questions was distributed to participants at one East Coast APSI to gather data, which were analyzed quantitatively. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on the Likert items to identify latent constructs, and two logistic regression (LR) models were run to predict what features of the professional development (PD) improved teacher perception of APSI. Open-ended constructs were analyzed by identifying and describing common themes.

Findings

The findings indicated that APSI improved teachers' perceived content knowledge and pedagogy and improved teachers' perceptions of their ability to better support student achievement, but that more focused professional learning was needed in working with academically diverse student learners in AP courses.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to analysis of perception of teachers who attended one APSI training site, making it difficult to generalize without repeated measures.

Originality/value

This is the only multidisciplinary study connecting literature on effective PD to an analysis of the effectiveness of APSI for AP teachers.