Affective Polarization: Does Political Affiliation Affect An Applicant's Hireability?

The present study seeks to examine the role that political affective polarization (A.P.) may play in an employment setting: specifically perceptions of a job candidate, hiring decisions, and expectations for that potential new employee. Participants were randomly assigned to read one of three comparable resumes: one signaling Democrat partisanship, a second signaling Republican partisanship, and a third neutral resume that did not signal any partisanship. Participants were asked about their perceptions of the job applicant and the standards they would set if the fabricated job applicant were hired. A statistically significant relationship was found between A.P. and the performance standards set for the job applicant. The theoretical and practical implications of this result are discussed. In addition, the present study highlights the need to study A.P. outside of voting behaviors, and instead, look at other domains of life

Intraocular straylight before and after low myopic photorefractive keratectomy with and without mitomycin C

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate ocular straylight before and after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low myopia with and without topical mitomycin (MMC) treatment. Methods: Patients who underwent PRK for low myopia were enrolled into the study. PRK without MMC was performed in 21 eyes (12 patients), whereas PRK with topical 0.02% MMC was performed in 25 eyes (14 patients). Both groups were treated using the NIDEK EC5000 excimer laser. Measurements were performed using the C-Quant straylight meter preoperatively and at two and four months postoperatively. Results: The mean patient age was 30 ± 4 years, and the mean spherical equivalent refractive error was -2.2 ± 0.75 D. The mean preoperative intraocular straylight values were 1.07 ± 0.10 in the PRK without MMC group and 1.07 ± 0.11 log(s) in the PRK with topical MMC group. At two months after surgery, there was a decrease in mean intraocular straylight values in both groups. However, a significant difference was only reached in the PRK with MMC group [0.98 ± 0.09 log(s), p=0.002] compared with preoperative values, which was likely due to a greater scatter of measurements in the PRK without MMC group [1.03 ± 0.13 log(s), p=0.082]. At four months postoperatively, ocular straylight values were not significantly different compared with those at baseline in either the PRK without MMC group [1.02 ± 0.14 log(s), p=0.26] or in the PRK with topical MMC group [1.02 ± 0.11 log(s), p=0.13]. Conclusion: PRK for low myopia decreases ocular straylight, and MMC application further reduces straylight in the early postoperative period. However, ocular straylight values do not significantly differ at four months after surgery compared with those at baseline

Characterization and Assessment of Household Waste from Electrical and Electronic Devices (WEEE) in Chile. A Proposal Towards a More Eco-Efficient Product Design

The aim of this study is to propose a protocol for incorporating procedures to evaluate, characterize and establish general parameters applicable to the management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This protocol can be applied within the framework of common product design and development processes. The proposed protocol provides key information for design projects, with emphasis on the potential future recovery of parts, components and raw materials. To achieve this objective, this article first addresses the general problem and defines the objectives, focusing on Chile as a valid case study in Latin America. The method used was applied to ten small household appliances, yielding promising results. Additionally, a user-friendly and easily applicable method is proposed, suitable for training new designers and working with small companies and relevant stakeholders in recycling and recovery processes. In conclusion, this study contributes relevant results aimed at promoting projects of technological and economic interest, with a focus on the sustainable management of waste at the end of its lifespan

SUCCESSIONAL PATTERN AND PROCESS IN SECONDARY FORESTS OF DIFFERENT AGES IN THE EASTERN AMAZON

A maioria dos estudos de sucess\ue3o em florestas secund\ue1rias na Amaz\uf4nia avalia s\uedtios de diferentes idades, que representam uma cronoseq\ufc\ueancia sucessional, em vez de monitorar um \ufanico s\uedtio por v\ue1rios anos pelo invent\ue1rio cont\uednuo. Este estudo comparou a composi\ue7\ue3o e estrutura flor\uedsticas de esp\ue9cies arb\uf3reas com di\ue2metro a 1,3 m de altura (DAP) 65 1 cm, em s\uedtios com 4 e 12 anos na Amaz\uf4nia Oriental, e avaliou a mortalidade e o recrutamento em ambos os s\uedtios baseados em dados de invent\ue1rio cont\uednuo durante 4 anos de estudo. As \ue1reas de estudo foram abandonadas ap\uf3s m\ufaltiplos ciclos de uso agr\uedcola de 7 a 10 anos, desde ~1940. Ambos os s\uedtios s\ue3o dominados pelas esp\ue9cies arb\uf3reas Lacistema pubescens e Vismia guianensis , com densidade de indiv\uedduos, di\ue2metro, altura, \ue1rea basal e riqueza de esp\ue9cies significativamente maiores no s\uedtio de 12 anos. A densidade de indiv\uedduos, ao longo do tempo, foi crescente no s\uedtio de 4 anos e decrescente no de 12 anos; o di\ue2metro, a altura e a \ue1rea basal aumentaram nos dois s\uedtios. No s\uedtio de 4 anos, foi constatada uma taxa de recrutamento l\uedquido crescente entre 2000-2001 e 2001-2002, que diminuiu entre 2002-2003, indicando redu\ue7\ue3o gradual na coloniza\ue7\ue3o. No s\uedtio de 12 anos, foi observada alta mortalidade l\uedquida (13 e 11%), sobretudo nas duas primeiras avalia\ue7\uf5es, indicando o processo de autodesbaste. A combina\ue7\ue3o dos m\ue9todos de cronoseq\ufc\ueancia e invent\ue1rio cont\uednuo aumenta substancialmente o entendimento do desenvolvimento sucessional.Most published studies of secondary forest succession in the Amazon examine stands of different ages that represent a successional chronosequence, rather than monitoring a single stand over the long-term. This study compares floristic composition and structure of tree species with diameter at 1.3 m height (DBH) 65 1 cm in a 4-year-old and a 12-year-old re-growth stand in the Eastern Amazon, and examines mortality and recruitment occurring within both stands based on repeated sampling carried out annually for four years. The study areas were abandoned after multiple agricultural cicles that lasted 7 to 10 years, beginning in ~1940. Both stands are largely dominated by the same tree species Lacistema pubescens and Vismia guianensis , with significantly higher stem density, diameter, height, basal area and species richness in the 12-year-old stand. In the 4-year-old stand there were measured an increase in annual net recruitment during the first two data collection periods but relatively lower net recruitment during the last evaluation period, indicating on-going but gradually weakening colonization. There were registered a high net mortality during the first two data collection periods in the 12-years-old stand with a relatively lower net mortality during the last evaluation indicating rapid self thinning. When used in combination, the chronosequence and the longitudinal approaches significantly strengthen the understanding of successional development

Socio-Demographic Health Determinants Are Associated with Poor Prognosis in Spanish Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

Introduction Social vulnerability is a known determinant of health in respiratory diseases. Our aim was to identify whether there are socio-demographic factors among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Spain and their potential impact on health outcomes during the hospitalization. Methods A multicentric retrospective case series study based on administrative databases that included all COVID-19 cases admitted in 19 Spanish hospitals from 1 March to 15 April 2020. Socio-demographic data were collected. Outcomes were critical care admission and in-hospital mortality. Results We included 10,110 COVID-19 patients admitted to 18 Spanish hospitals (median age 68 (IQR 54–80) years old; 44.5% female; 14.8% were not born in Spain). Among these, 779 (7.7%) cases were admitted to critical care units and 1678 (16.6%) patients died during the hospitalization. Age, male gender, being immigrant, and low hospital saturation were independently associated with being admitted to an intensive care unit. Age, male gender, being immigrant, percentile of average per capita income, and hospital experience were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusions Social determinants such as residence in low-income areas and being born in Latin American countries were associated with increased odds of being admitted to an intensive care unit and of in-hospital mortality. There was considerable variation in outcomes between different Spanish centers.JPA is under contract within the Ramón y Cajal Program (RYC-2016-20155, Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Spain). Investigators of Spanish Social-Environmental COVID-19 Register: Steering Committee: F. Javier Martín-Sánchez, Adrián Valls Carbó, Carmen Martínez Valero, Juan de D. Miranda, Juan Pedro Arrebola, Marta Esteban López, Annika Parviainen, Òscar Miró, Pere Llorens, Sònia Jiménez, Pascual Piñera, Guillermo Burillo, Alfonso Martín, Jorge García Lamberechts, Javier Jacob, Aitor Alquézar, Juan González del Castillo, Amanda López Picado and Iván Núñez. Participating centers: Oscar Miró y Sonia Jimenez. Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. José María Ferreras Amez. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Rafael Rubio Díaz. Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Julio Javier Gamazo del Rio. Hospital Universitario de Galdakao. Héctor Alonso. Hospital Universitario Miguel de Valdecilla. Pablo Herrero. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Noemí Ruiz de Lobera. Hospital San Pedro de Logroño. Carlos Ibero. Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. Plácido Mayan. Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago. Rosario Peinado. Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Badajoz. Carmen Navarro Bustos. Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Macarena. Jesús Álvarez Manzanares. Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega. Francisco Román. Hospital Universitario General de Alicante. Pascual Piñera. Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia de Murcia. Guillermo Burillo. Hospital Universitario de Canarias de Tenerife. Javier Jacob. Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge. Carlos Bibiano. Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor.Peer reviewe

Effect of surgical experience and spine subspecialty on the reliability of the {AO} Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System

OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper was to determine the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System based on surgeon experience (< 5 years, 5–10 years, 10–20 years, and > 20 years) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and "other" surgery). METHODS A total of 11,601 assessments of upper cervical spine injuries were evaluated based on the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System. Reliability and reproducibility scores were obtained twice, with a 3-week time interval. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine the percentage of accurately classified injuries, and Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to screen for potentially relevant differences between study participants. Kappa coefficients (κ) determined the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility. RESULTS The intraobserver reproducibility was substantial for surgeon experience level (< 5 years: 0.74 vs 5–10 years: 0.69 vs 10–20 years: 0.69 vs > 20 years: 0.70) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine: 0.71 vs neurosurgery: 0.69 vs other: 0.68). Furthermore, the interobserver reliability was substantial for all surgical experience groups on assessment 1 (< 5 years: 0.67 vs 5–10 years: 0.62 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.62), and only surgeons with > 20 years of experience did not have substantial reliability on assessment 2 (< 5 years: 0.62 vs 5–10 years: 0.61 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.59). Orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons had substantial intraobserver reproducibility on both assessment 1 (0.64 vs 0.63) and assessment 2 (0.62 vs 0.63), while other surgeons had moderate reliability on assessment 1 (0.43) and fair reliability on assessment 2 (0.36). CONCLUSIONS The international reliability and reproducibility scores for the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System demonstrated substantial intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability regardless of surgical experience and spine subspecialty. These results support the global application of this classification system

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Les droits disciplinaires des fonctions publiques : « unification », « harmonisation » ou « distanciation ». A propos de la loi du 26 avril 2016 relative à la déontologie et aux droits et obligations des fonctionnaires

The production of tt‾ , W+bb‾ and W+cc‾ is studied in the forward region of proton–proton collisions collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.98±0.02 fb−1 . The W bosons are reconstructed in the decays W→ℓν , where ℓ denotes muon or electron, while the b and c quarks are reconstructed as jets. All measured cross-sections are in agreement with next-to-leading-order Standard Model predictions.The production of $t\overline{t}$, $W+b\overline{b}$ and $W+c\overline{c}$ is studied in the forward region of proton-proton collisions collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.98 $\pm$ 0.02 \mbox{fb}^{-1}. The $W$ bosons are reconstructed in the decays $W\rightarrow\ell\nu$, where $\ell$ denotes muon or electron, while the $b$ and $c$ quarks are reconstructed as jets. All measured cross-sections are in agreement with next-to-leading-order Standard Model predictions

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension