Strategic Consensus in Top Management Teams: The Role of Status Hierarchy, Firm Performance, and a Culture of Dissent

Status hierarchies influence all human interactions, including strategic consensus in top management teams. In this conceptual paper, we articulate why strategic consensus in top management teams is likely to be more a reflection of compliance of low-status top managers with high-status top managers’ judgments than a genuine team’s agreement on the firm’s strategic priorities. We theorize how a firm’s performance can restrain and drive change in status hierarchies, thus impacting the persistence and dissolution of strategic consensus. We also articulate how a culture of dissent can minimize the impact of status hierarchies on strategic consensus. Our model has some implications for examining diversity in top management teams. Scholars have long emphasized the importance of diversity in top management teams, arguing that managers with different backgrounds and viewpoints make firms better equipped to face competitive challenges. However, status hierarchies remind us that if top managers’ ideas and contributions are weighed by their status, organizations might not easily realize the potential benefits of having a diverse top management team

Reynolds number and Shallow Depth Sloshing

The dependence on the Reynolds number of shallow depth sloshing flows inside rectangular tanks subjected to forced harmonic motion is studied in this paper with weakly compressible SPH. We are interested in assessing the in fluenceof viscous effects on the dynamics of shallow depth sloshing flows by using an SPH solver and by comparing with a Navier-Stokes level-set solver results. The goal of trying to model these viscous flows is compromised by the resolution requested due to their Reynolds number, if boundary layer effects are to be modeled. The convenience and feasibility of the implementation of free-slip and no-slip boundary conditions is also discusse

Particle methods parallel implementations by GP-GPU strategies

This paper outlines the problems found in the parallelization of SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) algorithms using Graphics Processing Units. Different results of some parallel GPU implementations in terms of the speed-up and the scalability compared to the CPU sequential codes are shown. The most problematic stage in the GPU-SPH algorithms is the one responsible for locating neighboring particles and building the vectors where this information is stored, since these specific algorithms raise many dificulties for a data-level parallelization. Because of the fact that the neighbor location using linked lists does not show enough data-level parallelism, two new approaches have been pro- posed to minimize bank conflicts in the writing and subsequent reading of the neighbor lists. The first strategy proposes an efficient coordination between CPU-GPU, using GPU algorithms for those stages that allow a straight forward parallelization, and sequential CPU algorithms for those instructions that involve some kind of vector reduction. This coordination provides a relatively orderly reading of the neighbor lists in the interactions stage, achieving a speed-up factor of x47 in this stage. However, since the construction of the neighbor lists is quite expensive, it is achieved an overall speed-up of x41. The second strategy seeks to maximize the use of the GPU in the neighbor's location process by executing a specific vector sorting algorithm that allows some data-level parallelism. Al- though this strategy has succeeded in improving the speed-up on the stage of neighboring location, the global speed-up on the interactions stage falls, due to inefficient reading of the neighbor vectors. Some changes to these strategies are proposed, aimed at maximizing the computational load of the GPU and using the GPU texture-units, in order to reach the maximum speed-up for such codes. Different practical applications have been added to the mentioned GPU codes. First, the classical dam-break problem is studied. Second, the wave impact of the sloshing fluid contained in LNG vessel tanks is also simulated as a practical example of particle method

Gestión educativa y calidad de servicio educativo en las instituciones educativas del nivel secundario de la UGEL 03, Trujillo

La presente investigación se desarrolló con el objetivo de determinar el vínculo de la gestión educativa y la calidad del servicio educativo en Instituciones Educativas del nivel secundario de la UGEL 03, Trujillo, 2022. La metodología de estudio corresponde al tipo aplicada de diseño no experimental, el alcance de estudio empleado corresponde al descriptivo correlacional. La población en el presente estudio se constituyó por el total de docentes del nivel secundario de las instituciones educativas de la UGEL 03 – Trujillo, siendo una cantidad de 861 docentes. Como muestra se consideró a 200 docentes mediante el método de muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Como técnica se aplicó la encuesta y como instrumento se diseñó un cuestionario compuesto por ítems con la finalidad de recolectar información sobre las variables, según objetivo de estudio. Se logró determinar la existencia de la relación altamente significativa (sig. < 0.01) entre Gestión Educativa y Calidad de Servicio Educativo y sus dimensiones calidad estructural, calidad didáctico pedagógico, calidad de gestión y calidad de servicio educativo (r=,882** [muy alta correlación]; r=,445** [moderada correlación]; r=,377** [baja correlación]; r=,187** [muy baja correlación]; r=,892** [muy alta correlación]) se concluye que existe una relación positiva entre la gestión educativa y la calidad del servicio educativo en los docentes del del nivel secundario de las instituciones educativas de la UGEL 03 – Trujillo

Low-Dispersive Leaky-Wave Antenna Integrated in Groove Gap Waveguide Technology

In this paper, the use of a dispersive prism with a triangular shape is proposed to reduce the dispersive radiation nature of a leaky-wave antenna (LWA) in groove-gap waveguide technology. The operation of gap waveguide technology is based on the use of metallic pins that act as an artificial magnetic conductor, so the electromagnetic fields are confined and guided in the desired directions. To control a leaky-wave radiation of these confined fields is possible by tailoring the height of the pins, its periodicity, and the waveguide width. This radiation, as in any conventional LWA, is dispersive, leading to beam squint as the frequency is varied. Here, we mitigate this beam squint by using a prism made of dispersive pins and choosing appropriately their periodicity and height. With this prism, the leaky-wave radiation is focused into one single direction in a wide frequency band. This concept is demonstrated with a prototype designed to radiate at phi = 41 degrees with a central frequency of 12 GHz and the high gain of 16.5 dBi. A 22% frequency bandwidth for the 3 dB realized gain at phi = 41 degrees is achieved, and the main radiating direction, with half-power beamwidth of 5 degrees, steers only +/- 0.5 degrees from 11.4 to 13.4 GHz.This work was supported in part by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, in part by the Spanish Government under Project TEC2016-79700-C2-2-R, and in part by the Madrid Regional Government under Project S2013/ICE-3000

Similar plasma lipidomic profile in people living with HIV treated with a darunavir-based or an integrase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy

Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV (PLWH), who commonly experience lipid disturbances. The aim of this study was to determine whether the plasma lipidomic profile differs between PLWH receiving a darunavir-based ART and those receiving integrase inhibitor-based ART. This was a cross-sectional study of unselected patients for whom metabolomic analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Data for the two subgroups were compared by calculating the log2 of the fold change for each metabolite and then grouping these into the main lipid families. Sixty-two PLWH aged 49.3 +/- 8.6 years (82% men) were included: 12 patients (19.4%) had hypertension, 8 (12.9%) had type 2 diabetes, 25 (41.0%) had dyslipidaemia and 9 (14.5%) were taking statins, without significant differences in all these variables between the two groups. Twenty-five (40.3%) received darunavir-based ART and 37 (59.7%) integrase inhibitor-based ART. Although the differences were not statistically significant, patients treated with darunavir-based ART had higher concentrations of total cholesterol (211 mg/dL vs 194 mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol (132 mg/dL vs 117 mg/dL) and triglycerides (155 mg/dL vs 122 mg/dL), and lower HDL-cholesterol concentration (50 mg/dL vs 52 mg/dL). The main lipid families and metabolites differed slightly between groups (log2-fold change; P-value): ceramides (-0.07; 0.49), phosphatidylinositols (-0.05; 0.63), diacylglycerols (0.10; 0.64), phosphatidylethanolamines (0.03; 0.78), triacylglycerols (0.27; 0.18) and lysophosphatidylethanolamines (0.03; 0.83). In the integrase inhibitor-based group, the use of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate significantly increases the majority of lipid fractions, when compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. The lipidomic profile did not differ between PLWH treated with darunavir-based or integrase inhibitor-based ART. This was especially true for ceramides, which are involved in cardiovascular disease. Further studies are needed to study the impact of ART in lipidomic profile

Contribution of the single photon emission computed tomography with 99mTc red blood cells in splenosis

The term splenosis refers to the presence of auto-transplanted splenic tissue in a heterotopic location. These foci can be localized to the liver simulating a malignant lesion. Sometimes these lesions are difficult to identify using conventional imaging techniques (ultrasound, CT and MR). Then, a scan with denatured erythrocytes marked with 99mTc has proven to be an effective technique to confirm the diagnosis of splenosis and to establish its extension. The incorporation of hybrid imaging techniques (SPECT-CT) into usual clinical practice has increased the precision of the localization of these foci of splenosis. We hereby report the cases of two patients diagnosed with splenosis, the first by laparotomy and the second after performing scintigraphy with red blood cells labeled with 99mTc. In the first case, the laparotomy revealed numerous reticulated nodules on the diaphragmatic peritoneal surface, the transverse colon and the right kidney. Finally, the anatomopathological diagnosis confirmed a case of splenosis. In the second case, the results of the 99mTc marked red blood cell gammagraphy and SPECT-CT were consistent with the diagnosis of splenosis in the patient. To obtain correct information in cases of lesions highly suspicious of splenosis, 99mTc marked red blood cell gammagraphy should be performed due to the high sensitivity and specificity of the test. Combined diagnostic imaging (SPECT-CT), have increased the specificity of this test due to improvements in the characterization of lesions. We believe that the use of this technique will help avoid unnecessary surgical procedures

Physical evolution of a bentonite buffer during 18 years of heating and hydration

The FEBEX in situ experiment was a full-scale test reproducing the near-field of an underground nuclear waste repository. It was performed in a gallery excavated in granite, two heaters simulated the thermal effect of the waste canisters and a bentonite barrier composed of highly-compacted blocks surrounded them, acting as buffer between the heaters and the crystalline host rock. The barrier slowly hydrated with the natural incoming groundwater. The bentonite and rock were instrumented and the sensors provided information about the state of the barrier. Half of the experiment was dismantled after five years of operation (partial dismantling), and the other half was left running for subsequent thirteen years before the complete, final dismantling. During both the partial and the final dismantling numerous samples of bentonite were taken for the on-site determination of dry density and water content. This work compares the physical state of the bentonite barrier after two different periods of time, drawing conclusions about the performance of the barrier and the factors affecting its saturation rate and evolution. The physical state of the barrier was mostly conditioned by the heating and hydration processes, although at some points it was affected by installation particularities. The dry density gradients generated proved to be persistent, and maybe largely irreversible, since they were already observed after five years of operation and remained for another thirteen years, despite the fact that the degree of saturation at the end of the experiment was overall quite high. These gradients did not impair the performance of the barrier and its sealing ability. To properly compute the bentonite degree of saturation the differences between the microstructural and macrostructural water density have to be taken into account, and this is essential for the proper estimation of the time needed for full saturation of the barrier. In any case, the water content changes evidenced the slowing down of the hydration rate over timePeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Mixed Th2 and non-Th2 inflammatory pattern in the asthma-COPD overlap : a network approach

Altres ajuts: The authors are grateful to all the patients who participated in the study. A number of investigators contributed to the study logistics and they are listed in the Supplementary materials. The project was endorsed by the COPD and Asthma Research Board (PII de EPOC y asma) of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR).The asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) is a clinical condition that combines features of those two diseases, and that is difficult to define due to the lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Determining systemic mediators may help clarify the nature of inflammation in patients with ACO. We aimed at investigating the role and interaction of common markers of systemic inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α), Th2-related markers (periostin, IL-5, and IL-13), and IL-17 in asthma, COPD, and ACO. This is a cross-sectional study of patients aged ≥40 years with a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity 10 pack-years in a patient with a previous diagnosis of asthma or by the presence of eosinophilia in a patient with a previous diagnosis of COPD. Clinical, functional, and inflammatory parameters were compared between categories using discriminant and network analysis. In total, 109 ACO, 89 COPD, and 94 asthma patients were included. Serum levels (median [interquartile range]) of IL-5 were higher in asthma patients than in COPD patients (2.09 [0.61-3.57] vs 1.11 [0.12-2.42] pg/mL, respectively; p =0.03), and IL-8 levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in COPD patients than in asthma patients (9.45 [6.61-13.12] vs 7.03 [4.69-10.44] pg/mL, respectively; p <0.001). Their values in ACO were intermediate between those in asthma and in COPD. Principal component and network analysis showed a mixed inflammatory pattern in ACO in between asthma and COPD. IL-13 was the most connected node in the network, with different weights among the three conditions. Asthma and COPD are two different inflammatory conditions that may overlap in some patients, leading to a mixed inflammatory pattern. IL-13 could be central to the regulation of inflammation in these conditions