A Cross-Species and Cross-Cultural Comparative Analysis of Sex and Gender Differences in Rough and Tumble Play

Rough and tumble play (RTP) is a form of physically active social play common across diverse social mammals, including humans, which likely provides vital opportunities for the development of physical and social skills. Where adult behaviours are differentiated by sex or gender, RTP is expected to take correspondingly different forms in juveniles. However, we do not yet have a good understanding of how and why sex/gender differences in RTP vary across non-human species and human societies. The first aim of this thesis was to investigate cross-species variation in sex differences in rough and tumble play (RTP) in non-human mammals through the lens of behavioural ecology and life history theory. A systematic review revealed that male biases in RTP are not as consistent as predicted and many studies report a lack of, or inconsistent, sex differences. Contrary to expectations, phylogenetic comparative analyses found no evidence that measures of male-male competition in adults predict male biases in juvenile RTP across species. The second aim of the thesis was to investigate variation in gender differences in RTP in human subsistence societies using cross-cultural data through the lens of cultural evolution. I found that RTP is more common in boys, although in most societies both girls and boys engage in some form of RTP. Gender differences in RTP are not predicted by marriage system or other potentially relevant variables, and are not strongly affected by shared cultural history or spatial proximity. Taken together these results suggest that RTP is a complex, highly variable behaviour which may change rapidly in response to social and environmental factors. I consider potential interactions between biological, cultural, and contextual factors which may explain these findings, call for future work which considers biocultural approaches to sex and gender differences in RTP, and suggest methodologies for improving future research

Evaluation of a risk score to predict future Clostridium difficile disease using UK primary care and hospital data in Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

We evaluated the applicability of a Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) risk index developed for patients at hospital discharge to identify persons at high-risk of CDI in a primary care population. This retrospective observational study used data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linked with Hospital Episodes Statistics. The risk index was based on the following patient characteristics: age, previous hospitalizations, days in hospital, and prior antibiotics use. Individual risk scores were calculated by summing points assigned to pre-defined categories for each characteristic. We assessed the association of risk factors with CDI by multivariate logistic regression. The estimated CDI incidence rate was 4/10,000 and 2/10,000 person-years in 2008 and 2012, respectively. On an index with a maximal risk of 19, a cut-off for high risk of ≥7 had sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values of 80%, 87% and 12%, respectively. A high-risk person had a ~ 35% higher risk of CDI than a low-risk person. Multivariate risk factor analysis indicated a need to reconsider the relative risk scores. The CDI risk index can be applied to the UK primary care population and help identify study populations for vaccine development studies. Reassessing the relative weights assigned to risk factors could improve the index performance in this setting

Living with a left ventricular assist device:Capturing recipients experiences using group concept mapping software

BackgroundLeft ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation significantly impacts on a recipient's symptoms and quality of life. Capturing their experiences and post implant journey is an important part of clinical practice, research and device design evolution. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are a useful tool for capturing that experience. However, patient reported outcome measures need to reflect recipients' experiences. Discussions with a patient partner group found that none of the frequently used cardiology PROMs captured their unique experiences.AimsTo capture the experiences and important issues for LVAD recipients. Develop a conceptual map of domains and items that should be reflected in patient reported outcomes.MethodsGroup concept mapping (GCM) web-based software was used to remotely capture and structure recipients' experiences across a wide geographical area. GCM is a semi-quantitative mixed method consisting of 3 stages: item generation, item sorting and rating (importance, relevance and frequency). Patient partners were involved in all aspects of the study design and development.Results18 LVAD recipients consented to take part. 101 statements were generated and multi-dimensional scaling, and hierarchical cluster analysis identified 9 clusters. Cluster themes included: Activities, Partner/family support, Travel, Mental wellbeing, Equipment and clothing, Physical and cognitive limitations, LVAD Restrictions, LVAD Challenges and positive impact of the LVAD (LVAD Positives). LVAD Positives were scored highest across all the rating variables, e.g., frequency (2.85), relevance (2.44) and importance (2.21). Other domains rated high for importance included physical and cognitive limitations (2.19), LVAD restrictions (2.11), Partner/family support (2.02), and Equipment and clothing (2.01).ConclusionOnline GCM software facilitated the inclusion of geographically dispersed recipients and provided useful insights into the experiences of LVAD recipients. The conceptual framework identifies important domains and items that should be prioritised and included in patient reported outcomes in future research, LVAD design evolution, and clinical practice

Imaging Cool Giant Planets in Reflected Light: Science Investigations and Synergy with Habitable Planets

Planned astronomical observatories of the 2020s will be capable of obtaining reflected light photometry and spectroscopy of cool extrasolar giant planets. Here we explain that such data are valuable both for understanding the origin and evolution of giant planets as a whole and for preparing for the interpretation of similar datasets from potentially habitable extrasolar terrestrial planets in the decades to follow.Comment: Science white paper submitted to the Astro 2020 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics. Replace version to fix typo in co-signer name and add figure credit

Divergent Serpentoviruses in Free-Ranging Invasive Pythons and Native Colubrids in Southern Florida, United States

Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is an invasive snake that has significantly affected ecosystems in southern Florida, United States. Aside from direct predation and competition, invasive species can also introduce nonnative pathogens that can adversely affect native species. The subfamily Serpentovirinae (order Nidovirales) is composed of positive-sense RNA viruses primarily found in reptiles. Some serpentoviruses, such as shingleback nidovirus, are associated with mortalities in wild populations, while others, including ball python nidovirus and green tree python nidovirus can be a major cause of disease and mortality in captive animals. To determine if serpentoviruses were present in invasive Burmese pythons in southern Florida, oral swabs were collected from both free-ranging and long-term captive snakes. Swabs were screened for the presence of serpentovirus by reverse transcription PCR and sequenced. A total serpentovirus prevalence of 27.8% was detected in 318 python samples. Of the initial swabs from 172 free-ranging pythons, 42 (24.4%) were positive for multiple divergent viral sequences comprising four clades across the sampling range. Both sex and snout-vent length were statistically significant factors in virus prevalence, with larger male snakes having the highest prevalence. Sampling location was statistically significant in circulating virus sequence. Mild clinical signs and lesions consistent with serpentovirus infection were observed in a subset of sampled pythons. Testing of native snakes (n = 219, 18 species) in part of the python range found no evidence of python virus spillover; however, five individual native snakes (2.3%) representing three species were PCR positive for unique, divergent serpentoviruses. Calculated pairwise uncorrected distance analysis indicated the newly discovered virus sequences likely represent three novel genera in the subfamily Serpentovirinae. This study is the first to characterize serpentovirus in wild free-ranging pythons or in any free-ranging North America reptile. Though the risk these viruses pose to the invasive and native species is unknown, the potential for spillover to native herpetofauna warrants further investigation

Evaluación del plan de alta por enfermería en el hospital San José, Popayán 2017

Abstract: When the patients are going to be discharged from the hospital, the nurses must execute the discharge plan based on their specific needs. It is essential to promote self-care in patients to prevent future medical complications and readmissions. Objective: To evaluate the implementation of the discharge plan by the nursing professionals in the internal medicine and surgical services at the San José hospital in Popayán, Colombia, in 2017. Materials and methods: This quantitative study has a descriptive and transversal design. The research population is composed of nurses from the internal medicine and surgical services from the San José Hospital and patients that are going to be discharged from the clinic in 24 hours or less. Results: The information was collected by using an instrument that was designed for the participants to confirm if they fit the inclusion criteria. According to collected data, 94.7% of the patients had scheduled discharges, 58.6% of them had received indications in the last 48 hours before the discharge on how the self-care routines must be followed at home. Additionally, 100% of people said they understood the recommendations given by the nurses. Finally, 100% of the nursing professionals claimed that they did not know any methodology to prepare the discharge plan, and about 80% of them did not know about the existence of a patient's exit procedure and patient's medical follow-up in the institution. Conclusions: The patient discharge plan is not standardized, so it is not evaluated in the institution. The nursing staff is focused only on explaining the medical indications, but they are not focused on creating their discharge plans.Introducción: Durante el alta hospitalaria es importante que el enfermero identifique los cuidados que requiere el paciente, permitiéndole guiar intervenciones mediante el plan de alta que fomenta el autocuidado, enfocado a necesidades específicas de cada persona, para prevenir complicaciones y disminuir reingresos. Objetivo: Evaluar la ejecución del plan de alta por los profesionales de enfermería en los servicios de medicina interna y quirúrgicas del Hospital San José, Popayán durante el año 2017. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de tipo cuantitativo, diseño descriptivo y transversal. La población conformada por los enfermeros de los servicios de medicina interna y quirúrgicas del Hospital San José y pacientes con alta programada de 24 horas o menos antes del egreso hospitalario. Resultados: La información se recolectó por medio de un instrumento de valoración realizado a participantes que cumplen con criterios de inclusión. El 94,7% de los pacientes tenían egreso programado, de estos 58,6% recibieron indicaciones en las últimas 48 horas sobre los cuidados en casa y el 100% manifestaron entender las recomendaciones brindadas por el enfermero. Respecto al profesional de enfermería el 100% refiere no conocer alguna metodología para elaborar el plan de alta y el 80% no conoce si en la institución existe un procedimiento de egreso y seguimiento al paciente. Conclusiones: El plan de alta es un proceso que no se encuentra estandarizado y por lo tanto no es evaluado en la institución, el personal de Enfermería se limita a brindar educación sobre las indicaciones médicas de egreso y no sobre un plan de alta propio de Enfermería

Evaluación del plan de alta por enfermería en el hospital San José, Popayán 2017

Abstract: When the patients are going to be discharged from the hospital, the nurses must execute the discharge plan based on their specific needs. It is essential to promote self-care in patients to prevent future medical complications and readmissions. Objective: To evaluate the implementation of the discharge plan by the nursing professionals in the internal medicine and surgical services at the San José hospital in Popayán, Colombia, in 2017. Materials and methods: This quantitative study has a descriptive and transversal design. The research population is composed of nurses from the internal medicine and surgical services from the San José Hospital and patients that are going to be discharged from the clinic in 24 hours or less. Results: The information was collected by using an instrument that was designed for the participants to confirm if they fit the inclusion criteria. According to collected data, 94.7% of the patients had scheduled discharges, 58.6% of them had received indications in the last 48 hours before the discharge on how the self-care routines must be followed at home. Additionally, 100% of people said they understood the recommendations given by the nurses. Finally, 100% of the nursing professionals claimed that they did not know any methodology to prepare the discharge plan, and about 80% of them did not know about the existence of a patient's exit procedure and patient's medical follow-up in the institution. Conclusions: The patient discharge plan is not standardized, so it is not evaluated in the institution. The nursing staff is focused only on explaining the medical indications, but they are not focused on creating their discharge plans.Introducción: Durante el alta hospitalaria es importante que el enfermero identifique los cuidados que requiere el paciente, permitiéndole guiar intervenciones mediante el plan de alta que fomenta el autocuidado, enfocado a necesidades específicas de cada persona, para prevenir complicaciones y disminuir reingresos. Objetivo: Evaluar la ejecución del plan de alta por los profesionales de enfermería en los servicios de medicina interna y quirúrgicas del Hospital San José, Popayán durante el año 2017. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de tipo cuantitativo, diseño descriptivo y transversal. La población conformada por los enfermeros de los servicios de medicina interna y quirúrgicas del Hospital San José y pacientes con alta programada de 24 horas o menos antes del egreso hospitalario. Resultados: La información se recolectó por medio de un instrumento de valoración realizado a participantes que cumplen con criterios de inclusión. El 94,7% de los pacientes tenían egreso programado, de estos 58,6% recibieron indicaciones en las últimas 48 horas sobre los cuidados en casa y el 100% manifestaron entender las recomendaciones brindadas por el enfermero. Respecto al profesional de enfermería el 100% refiere no conocer alguna metodología para elaborar el plan de alta y el 80% no conoce si en la institución existe un procedimiento de egreso y seguimiento al paciente. Conclusiones: El plan de alta es un proceso que no se encuentra estandarizado y por lo tanto no es evaluado en la institución, el personal de Enfermería se limita a brindar educación sobre las indicaciones médicas de egreso y no sobre un plan de alta propio de Enfermería

The Need for Laboratory Measurements and Ab Initio Studies to Aid Understanding of Exoplanetary Atmospheres

We are now on a clear trajectory for improvements in exoplanet observations that will revolutionize our ability to characterize their atmospheric structure, composition, and circulation, from gas giants to rocky planets. However, exoplanet atmospheric models capable of interpreting the upcoming observations are often limited by insufficiencies in the laboratory and theoretical data that serve as critical inputs to atmospheric physical and chemical tools. Here we provide an up-to-date and condensed description of areas where laboratory and/or ab initio investigations could fill critical gaps in our ability to model exoplanet atmospheric opacities, clouds, and chemistry, building off a larger 2016 white paper, and endorsed by the NAS Exoplanet Science Strategy report. Now is the ideal time for progress in these areas, but this progress requires better access to, understanding of, and training in the production of spectroscopic data as well as a better insight into chemical reaction kinetics both thermal and radiation-induced at a broad range of temperatures. Given that most published efforts have emphasized relatively Earth-like conditions, we can expect significant and enlightening discoveries as emphasis moves to the exotic atmospheres of exoplanets.Comment: Submitted as an Astro2020 Science White Pape