Mutual Adjustments Research Articles

Governance, polycentricity and the global nitrogen and phosphorus cycles

Global change and governance scholars frequently highlight polycentricity as a feature of resilient governance, but both theoretical and empirical knowledge about features and outcomes of the concept are lacking at the global scale. Here we investigate the structural properties of governance of global nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles, two processes in the ‘planetary boundaries’ framework. We have used a mixed-methods approach to institutional analysis, integrating polycentric theory with social network theory in environmental policy and legal studies. We include an actor collaboration case study, the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM), to explore governance challenges associated with global N and P cycles. We set the scope for selection of relevant legal instruments using an overview of global N and P flows between Earth system ‘components’ (land, water, atmosphere, oceans, biosphere) and the major anthropogenic N and P perturbations. Our network analysis of citations of global N and P governance exposes the structural patterns of a loose network among the principal institutions and actors, in which legal instruments of the European Union serve as key cross-scale and cross-sectoral ‘gateways’. We show that the current international regimes in place for regulating N- and P-related issues represent a gap in governance at the global level. In addition, we are able to show that the emergence of GPNM provides synergies in this context of insufficient governance. The GPNM can be viewed as a structure of polycentric governance as it involves deliberate attempts for mutual adjustments and self-organised action.

Conceptual re-engineering: from explication to reflective equilibrium

Carnap and Goodman developed methods of conceptual re-engineering known respectively as explication and reflective equilibrium. These methods aim at advancing theories by developing concepts that are simultaneously guided by pre-existing concepts and intended to replace these concepts. This paper shows that Carnap’s and Goodman’s methods are historically closely related, analyses their structural interconnections, and argues that there is great systematic potential in interpreting them as aspects of one method, which ultimately must be conceived as a component of theory development. The main results are: an adequate method of conceptual re-engineering must focus not on individual concepts but on systems of concepts and theories; the linear structure of Carnapian explication must be replaced by a process of mutual adjustments as described by Goodman; Carnap’s condition of similarity can be analysed into two components, one securing a relation to the specific extensions of the pre-existing concepts, one regulating the transition to the new system of concepts; these two criteria of adequacy can be built into Goodman’s account of reflective equilibrium to ensure that the resulting concepts promote theoretical virtues while being sufficiently similar to the concepts we started out with.

Crafting Compromises in a Strategising Process: A Case Study of an International Development Organisation

AbstractThis paper focuses on how organisational members in non‐governmental organisations (NGO) can develop credible and legitimate strategic plans and positions out of diverse and conflicting perspectives. Using empirical data drawn from a strategic planning episode in an international development NGO, the study examines the process of ‘crafting compromises’ whereby organisational members make mutual adjustments and concessions to reach consensus on new strategic plans and positions. The analysis shows that two processes facilitate crafting compromises in strategising; being adaptive and responsive to critique as strategic positions are developed, and an ability to forge relevant connections between new strategic proposals and past strategic positions.

Mutual Adjustments: Learning from and Responding to Transfer Student Writers

Transfer student writers, who comprise more than one-third of all college students, are simultaneously experienced writers and first-year students at their new institutions. Despite their complicated positions, these students have received very little attention from composition specialists. This article responds to the paucity of attention to transfer student writers by reporting on a multiyear study that alternated between investigations of the experiences of these students and programmatic changes designed to address their expressed needs and concerns. The guiding principle of this work, and of the advice offered to colleagues interested in supporting transfer student writers on their own campuses, is a combination of institutional and student changes or mutual adjustments.

Autism in Action: Reduced Bodily Connectedness during Social Interactions?

Autism is a lifelong disorder, defined by deficits in social interactions and flexibility. To date, diagnostic markers for autism primarily include limitations in social behavior and cognition. However, such tests have often shown to be inadequate for individuals with autism who are either more cognitively able or intellectually disabled. The assessment of the social limitations of autism would benefit from new tests that capture the dynamics of social initiative and reciprocity in interaction processes, and that are not dependent on intellectual or verbal skills. New entry points for the development of such assessments may be found in ‘bodily connectedness’, the attunement of bodily movement between two individuals. In typical development, bodily connectedness is related to psychological connectedness, including social skills and relation quality. Limitations in bodily connectedness could be a central mechanism underlying the social impairment in autism. While bodily connectedness can be minutely assessed with advanced techniques, our understanding of these skills in autism is limited. This Perspective provides examples of how the potential relation between bodily connectedness and specific characteristics of autism can be examined using methods from the coordination dynamics approach. Uncovering this relation is particularly important for developing sensitive tools to assess the tendency to initiate social interactions and the dynamics of mutual adjustments during social interactions, as current assessments are not suited to grasp ongoing dynamics and reciprocity in behavior. The outcomes of such research may yield valuable openings for the development of diagnostic markers for autism that can be applied across the lifespan.

Persistent organic pollutants and thyroid function in mother-child pairs. A multipollutant assessment.

Background: Disruption of thyroid homeostasis has been indicated in human studies targeting effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Influence on the maternal thyroid system by POPs is of special interest during pregnancy, as such effects could impair infant thyroid homeostasis. Objectives: We investigated the association between POPs and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (THs) in mother and child pairs from the Northern Norway Mother-and-Child Contaminant Cohort Study (MISA). Methods: Nineteen POPs and ten thyroid parameters were analysed in serum from 391 pregnant women in their second trimester. In addition, TSH concentrations in heel prick samples from the infants were analysed by the Norwegian Newborn Screening program. Association studies with a multipollutant approach were performed using multivariate analyses; partial least squares (PLS) regression, hierarchical clustering and principle component analysis (PCA). Results: Several POPs were significantly associated to maternal TSH and THs: i) PFOS was positively associated with TSH; ii) PCBs, HCB and nonachlors were inversely associated to T3, T4 and FT4; and, iii) PFDA and PFUnDA were inversely associated to T3 and FT3. After mutual adjustments for the other contaminants, only PFDA and PFUnDA remained significantly associated to T3 and FT3, respectively. Infants born by mothers within the highest TSH quartile had 10% higher mean concentrations of TSH compared to children born by mothers in the lowest TSH quartile. Conclusion: The present results suggest that background exposures to POPs can alter maternal thyroid homeostasis. This research contributes to the understanding of multipollutant exposures using multivariate statistical approaches and highlights the complexity of investigating environmental concentrations and mixtures in regards to maternal and infant thyroid function.

Product variety and vertical integration

Research summary: In vertical relationships, the potential for scale economy in manufacturing often calls for specialization and outsourcing. Specialization, however, depends critically on the stability of the task and contractual environment. In a highly uncertain environment, the need for frequent mutual adjustments favors integration instead of outsourcing. To evaluate vertical relationships in value chains where one stage competes on product variety under great uncertainty and the other stage competes on scale, we compare operations data at about 300 distribution centers within a major soft-drink bottler before and after it was integrated into an upstream concentrate producer. We find that vertical integration improved coordination for the integrated firm by aligning incentives and reducing strategic information asymmetry, but it worsened coordination for upstream rivals that shared the same downstream facilities. Managerial summary: Managers make frequent decisions about outsourcing versus integration. This article helps to crystalize the costs and benefits of integration by pointing to two important factors: the potential for economies of scale and the need for coordination under uncertainty. It studies an industry where one stage of the value chain competes on product variety under great uncertainty and the other stage competes on scale. Based on operations data at about 300 distribution centers within a major soft-drink bottler before and after it was integrated into an upstream concentrate producer, we find that vertical integration improved coordination for the integrated firm (by reducing both stockouts and inventory, and improving sales forecasts), but it worsened coordination for upstream rivals that shared the same downstream facilities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fatigue and depression predict quality of life in patients with early multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study.

The clinical predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) have mainly been studied in patients with long-standing disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the longitudinal association among HRQoL and clinical characteristics in early MS. Relapsing MS patients within 12 months of clinical onset were enrolled in a neuroprotection trial of riluzole versus placebo as an add-on to weekly interferon with up to 36 months of follow-up. Serial clinical measures included Short Form-36 (SF-36) as the measure of HRQoL, MS Functional Composite (as a measure of disability), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (as a measure of depression) and a cognitive battery. Multivariable linear regression analyses assessed cross-sectional associations. Mixed model regressions with mutual adjustments were used to assess the longitudinal association of HRQoL components and clinical, cognitive and demographic variables. Forty-three patients were enrolled within 7.5 ± 4.9 months of clinical onset (72% female, mean age 36 years). The baseline severity of fatigue and depression predicted subsequent changes in SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) (P values of 0.001 and 0.021, respectively). In longitudinal analyses, changes in disability and depression were associated with changes in SF-36 PCS (P values of 0.002 and 0.009, respectively), whereas changes in cognitive function and fatigue were associated with changes in SF-36 Mental Component Summary (P values of 0.037 and 0.001, respectively). A 1-unit increase in MS Functional Composite was associated with a 7.1-point increase in SF-36 PCS (95% CI, 2.6-11.6). Fatigue, depression, cognition and disability are independently associated with HRQoL in early MS.

Objectively recorded physical activity in pregnancy and postpartum in a multi-ethnic cohort: association with access to recreational areas in the neighbourhood.

BackgroundPhysical activity may reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, compared to non-pregnant women, a lower proportion of pregnant women meet the physical activity guidelines. Our objectives were to explore overall changes and ethnic differences in objectively recorded moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) during pregnancy and postpartum and to investigate the associations with objective and perceived access to recreational areas.MethodsWe analysed 1,467 person-observations from 709 women in a multi-ethnic population-based cohort, with MVPA data recorded with the SenseWear™ Pro3 Armband in early pregnancy (mean gestational week (GW) 15), mid-pregnancy (mean GW 28) and postpartum (mean postpartum week 14). MVPA was limited to bouts ≥10 min. Women were nested within 56 neighbourhoods defined by postal code area. We derived neighbourhood-level objective access to recreational areas (good vs limited) by geographic information systems. We collected information about perceived access (high vs low perception) to recreational areas in early pregnancy. We treated ethnicity, objective and perceived access as explanatory variables in separate models based on linear mixed effects regression analyses.ResultsOverall, MVPA dropped between early and mid-pregnancy, followed by an increase postpartum. Western women performed more MVPA than women in other ethnic groups across time points, but the differences increased postpartum. Women residing in neighbourhoods with good objective access to recreational areas accumulated on average nine additional MVPA minutes/day (p < 0.01) compared with women in neighbourhoods with limited access. Women with perceptions of high access to recreational areas accumulated on average five additional MVPA minutes/day (p < 0.01) compared with women with perceptions of low access. After mutual adjustments, perceived and objective access to recreational areas remained significantly associated with MVPA. The association between MVPA and access to recreational areas did not differ by time point, ethnic group or socio-economic position.ConclusionsIn all ethnic groups, we observed a decline in MVPA between early and mid-pregnancy. However, at both time points during pregnancy, and especially three months postpartum, Western women were more physically active than ethnic minority women. In all ethnic groups, and at all three time points, both objective and perceived access to recreational areas were positively associated with MVPA levels.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-016-0401-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Association with Maternal and Infant Thyroid Homeostasis: A Multipollutant Assessment.

Background:Disruption of thyroid homeostasis has been indicated in human studies targeting effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Influence on the maternal thyroid system by POPs is of special interest during pregnancy because such effects could impair infant thyroid homeostasis.Objectives:We investigated the association between POPs and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (THs) in mother and child pairs from the Northern Norway Mother-and-Child Contaminant Cohort Study (MISA).Methods:Nineteen POPs and 10 thyroid parameters were analyzed in serum from 391 pregnant women in their second trimester. In addition, TSH concentrations in heel-prick samples from the infants were analyzed by the Norwegian Newborn Screening program. Association studies with a multipollutant approach were performed using multivariate analyses; partial least squares (PLS) regression, hierarchical clustering, and principal component analysis (PCA).Results:Several POPs were significantly associated with TSH and THs: a) PFOS was positively associated with TSH; b) PCBs, HCB, and nonachlors were inversely associated with T3, T4, and FT4; and, c) PFDA and PFUnDA were inversely associated with T3 and FT3. After mutual adjustments for the other contaminants, only PFDA and PFUnDA remained significantly associated with T3 and FT3, respectively. Infants born to mothers within the highest TSH quartile had 10% higher mean concentrations of TSH compared with children born to mothers in the lowest TSH quartile.Conclusion:The present results suggest that background exposures to POPs can alter maternal thyroid homeostasis. This research contributes to the understanding of multipollutant exposures using multivariate statistical approaches and highlights the complexity of investigating environmental concentrations and mixtures in regard to maternal and infant thyroid function.Citation:Berg V, Nøst TH, Pettersen RD, Hansen S, Veyhe AS, Jorde R, Odland JØ, Sandanger TM. 2017. Persistent organic pollutants and the association with maternal and infant thyroid homeostasis: a multipollutant assessment. Environ Health Perspect 125:127–133; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP152

‘Moving on’ Violence, wellbeing and questions about violence in antenatal care encounters. A qualitative study with Somali-born refugees in Sweden

BackgroundSomali-born women constitute one of the largest groups of childbearing refugee women in Sweden after more than two decades of political violence in Somalia. In Sweden, these women encounter antenatal care that includes routine questions about violence being asked. The aim of the study was to explore how Somali-born women understand and relate to violence and wellbeing during their migration transition and their views on being approached with questions about violence in Swedish antenatal care. MethodQualitative interviews (22) with Somali-born women (17) living in Sweden were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. FindingsA balancing act between keeping private life private and the new welfare system was identified, where the midwife’s questions about violence were met with hesitance. The midwife was, however, considered a resource for access to support services in the new society. A focus on pragmatic strategies to move on in life, rather than dwelling on potential experiences of violence and related traumas, was prominent. Social networks, spiritual faith and motherhood were crucial for regaining coherence in the aftermath of war. Dialogue and mutual adjustments were identified as strategies used to overcome power tensions in intimate relationships undergoing transition. ConclusionsIf confidentiality and links between violence and health are explained and clarified during the care encounter, screening for violence can be more beneficial in relation to Somali-born women. The focus on “moving on” and rationality indicates strength and access to alternative resources, but needs to be balanced against risks for hidden needs in care encounters. A care environment with continuity of care and trustful relationships enhances possibilities for the midwife to balance these dual perspectives and identify potential needs. Collaborations between Somali communities, maternity care and social service providers can contribute with support to families in transition and bridge gaps to formal social and care services.

Bimodal trait distributions with large variances question the reliability of trait-based aggregate models

Functionally diverse communities can adjust their species composition to altered environmental conditions, which may influence food web dynamics. Trait-based aggregate models cope with this complexity by ignoring details about species identities and focusing on their functional characteristics (traits). They describe the temporal changes of the aggregate properties of entire communities, including their total biomasses, mean trait values, and trait variances. The applicability of aggregate models depends on the validity of their underlying assumptions that trait distributions are normal and exhibit small variances. We investigated to what extent this can be expected to work by comparing an innovative model that accounts for the full trait distributions of predator and prey communities to a corresponding aggregate model. We used a food web structure with well-established trade-offs among traits promoting mutual adjustments between prey edibility and predator selectivity in response to selection. We altered the shape of the trade-offs to compare the outcome of the two models under different selection regimes, leading to trait distributions increasingly deviating from normality. Their biomass and trait dynamics agreed very well for stabilizing selection and reasonably well for directional selection, under which different trait values are favored at different times. However, for disruptive selection, the results of the aggregate model strongly deviated from the full trait distribution model that showed bimodal trait distributions with large variances. Hence, the outcome of aggregate models is reliable under ideal conditions but has to be questioned when confronted with more complex selection regimes and trait distributions, which are commonly observed in nature.

Abstract P144: Red Meat Consumption and Risk of Nonfatal Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results From a Population-based Case-control Study in Costa Rica

Background: Red meat consumption has been found positively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality in the United States and some European countries, but not in Asian countries where red meat consumption is low. The association is still unknown in Hispanic American populations which have relatively low red meat consumption but are undergoing nutrition transition towards Western dietary patterns. Objective: We aimed to estimate the association between total, processed, and unprocessed red meat consumption and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Costa Rican population. We also assessed potential mediators, effect modifiers, and the association of substituting other alternative healthy foods for red meat. Design: We recruited cases (n=1785) with a first nonfatal AMI and population-based controls (n=1785) living in Costa Rica, matched for age, sex, and area of residence. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariate conditional logistic regression. Results: After adjusting for non-dietary and dietary confounders, the OR and 95% CI of nonfatal AMI was 1.12 (1.00-1.24) for 1-serving/day increase of total red meat. After further mutual adjustments between processed and unprocessed red meat, the OR and 95% CI was 1.16 (1.01-1.34) for 1-serving/day increase of processed red meat, and 1.03 (0.85-1.25) for 1-serving/day increase of unprocessed red meat. The associations were slightly modified after additionally adjusting for potential mediators including cholesterol, saturated fat, heme iron, and sodium. Substituting alternative healthier foods such as nuts, legumes, dairy, whole grains, fish, and chicken without skin or fat for red meat was associated with lower risk (ORs vary between 0.52 and 0.97). Conclusions: Increased red meat consumption as a result of the nutrition transition towards Western dietary patterns might partially explain the increased CVD rates in Costa Rica and other Hispanic American countries.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Sleep and the Association With Inflammatory Markers and Adiponectin in 8- to 11-Year-Old Danish Children

Inflammatory markers, adiponectin, and movement/nonmovement behaviors have all been linked to risk factors for cardiovascular disease; however, the association between childhood movement/nonmovement behaviors and inflammatory markers and adiponectin is unknown. We explored the association between accelerometer determined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time, and sleep (7 days/8 nights) and fasting C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and adiponectin in 806 school children. A sleep variability score was calculated. MVPA was negatively associated with adiponectin in boys and girls (P < .001) and with CRP and IL-6 in girls (P < .05) independent of sleep duration, sedentary time, age, fat mass index (FMI), and pubertal status. Sedentary time was positively associated with adiponectin in boys and girls (both P < .001), and sleep duration with adiponectin in boys independent of age, FMI, and pubertal status (P < .001); however, these associations disappeared after mutual adjustments for movement behavior. Sleep duration variability was positively associated with CRP in girls independent of all covariates (P < .01). MVPA remained negatively associated with inflammatory markers and adiponectin, and sleep duration variability positively associated with CRP after adjustment for FMI, pubertal status, and other movement behavior. The inverse association between MVPA and adiponectin conflicts with the anti-inflammatory properties of adiponectin.

Biogeomorphology and contingent ecosystem engineering in karst landscapes

While karst is not biogenic in the same sense as, say, coral reefs or peat bogs, and carbonate dissolution can occur abiotically, formation of karst landscapes would not occur in the absence of the biosphere. Seven levels of biogeomorphic biotic-abiotic interactions are identified, from indirect impacts to landforms as extended phenotypes. Karst is generally near the biogenic end of that spectrum, featuring reciprocal interactions and mutual adjustments between biota and landforms and interrelated geomorphological and ecological processes. Karst biogeomorphology may also involve niche construction. In many cases biogeomorphic ecosystem engineering in karst is contingent, in the sense that the engineer organisms may have no, or different, biogeomorphic impacts in non-karst environments. Several examples of contingent ecosystem engineering in karst are given, including biogeomorphic effects of chinkapin oak. Abiotic geomorphic features exist on Earth, but consideration of landform types lying between the biotic-abiotic extremes would likely yield broadly similar conclusions to those about karst. However, it is also clear that we know very little about niche construction and coevolution in karst biogeomorphology, and whether karst or any specific karst features can be considered an extended (composite) phenotype is still an open question. Thus far, most work on biogeomorphology and ecosystem engineering has focused on what might be called obligate engineers—organisms whose engineering effects are at least inevitable, if not necessary to their survival. However, in some cases contingent ecosystem engineers have substantial geomorphic impacts.

A higher-order entity formed by the flexible assembly of RAP1 with TRF2.

Telomere integrity is essential to maintain genome stability, and telomeric dysfunctions are associated with cancer and aging pathologies. In human, the shelterin complex binds TTAGGG DNA repeats and provides capping to chromosome ends. Within shelterin, RAP1 is recruited through its interaction with TRF2, and TRF2 is required for telomere protection through a network of nucleic acid and protein interactions. RAP1 is one of the most conserved shelterin proteins although one unresolved question is how its interaction may influence TRF2 properties and regulate its capacity to bind multiple proteins. Through a combination of biochemical, biophysical and structural approaches, we unveiled a unique mode of assembly between RAP1 and TRF2. The complete interaction scheme between the full-length proteins involves a complex biphasic interaction of RAP1 that directly affects the binding properties of the assembly. These results reveal how a non-DNA binding protein can influence the properties of a DNA-binding partner by mutual conformational adjustments.

Perceptual and cognitive enhancement with an adaptive timing partner: Electrophysiological responses to pitch change.

(ProQuest: ... denotes formula omitted.)When two people play music together, they need to control timing of their own actions while also adjusting their actions in response to those of other (Nowicki, Prinz, Grosjean, Repp, & Keller, 2013; Wing, Endo, Bradbury, & Vorberg, 2014). Having a partner who adapts can be satisfying. Patients playing a percussion instrument with a music therapist who entrains to them may gain a sense of freedom in expressing their emotion and feel empowered by experience (Bensimon, Amir, & Wolf, 2008; Winkelman, 2003).In many species, individuals synchronize their movements together, such as birds that fly in formation, fish that swim in schools, and fireflies that flash at same time (Buck, 1935, 1937, 1988; Partridge, 1982; Weimerskirch, Martin, Clerquin, Alexandre, & Jiraskova, 2001). More rare, but found in humans and a few vocal learning species, is ability to synchronize movement to a predictable auditory stimulus, such as beat in music (Patel & Iversen, 2014; Patel, Iversen, Bregman, & Schulz, 2009; Schachner, Brady, Pepperberg, & Hauser, 2009; Trainor, 2015). This ability is referred to as sensorimotor synchronization (SMS) and is defined as the coordination of rhythmic movement with an external rhythm (Repp & Su, 2013).In a typical musical performance, underlying beat or tempo produced is not completely steady, with deviations arising from several sources, such as internal time-keeping errors (Torre & Delignieres, 2008; Wing & Kristofferson, 1973a, 1973b), and deliberate deviations for expressive purposes (James, Michel, Britz, Vuilleumier, & Hauert, 2012; Rankin, Large, & Fink, 2009; Repp, 1992). Thus, for two or more people to play music together in synchrony, it necessarily involves mutual adjustments of phase alignment and tempo (period) to achieve SMS.The study of interpersonal synchrony is particularly important because empirical evidence indicates that synchronous movement promotes a sense of group affiliation. For example, walking or singing in synchrony with others increases cooperation, trust, and ratings of likability among participants (Hove & Risen, 2009; Kirschner & Tomasello, 2010; Valdesolo, Ouyang, & DeSteno, 2010; Wiltermuth & Heath, 2009). Synchronous movement to music even leads to enhanced prosocial instrumental helping in infants (Cirelli, Einarson, & Trainor, 2014; Cirelli & Trainor, 2015). Cirelli, Wan, and Trainor (2014) bounced 14-month-old infants to music facing an experimenter who bounced in synchrony with infant, or in antiphase (but at same tempo), or at a different tempo from infant. After this experience, infants were more likely to help experimenter by retrieving accidentally dropped items needed to complete a task if they had bounced at same tempo as experimenter (either in phase or antiphase) compared with if they bounced at a different tempo, whether faster or slower. Of interest to authors, this increase in helping after synchronous bouncing is targeted to bouncing partner and not to neutral strangers (Cirelli, Wan, et al., 2014), although it does apply to friends of synchronous bouncing partner (Cirelli & Trainor, 2015).It has been proposed that three core cognitive-motor skills are needed for people to engage in real-time interpersonal coordination-( a) propensity to synchronize movements, (b) ability to use anticipatory mechanisms during SMS, and (c) ability to divide attention (reviewed by Keller, Novembre, & Hove, 2014), reviewed in more detail below. In present study, we investigate perceptual/cognitive consequences of playing with an adaptive partner. In particular, during a difficult SMS task, we expect that an adaptive virtual partner that adjusts its onset times so as to place its upcoming tones closer to expectations of a musically untrained partner will reduce resource demands for that untrained partner compared with a virtual partner that does not adjust, leading to enhanced perceptual and cognitive processing of music. …

Induced-Fit Molecular Recognition of Alkyl Chains in p-tert-Butylcalix[5]arene in the Solid State

Abstract p-tert-Butylcalix[5]arene 1 recognized conformationally flexible aliphatic hydrocarbons (hexane 2, heptane 3, octane 4, nonane 5, decane 6, undecane 7, and dodecane 8) and monoalkyl benzenes (toluene 10, ethylbenzene 11, propylbenzene 12, butylbenzene 13, hexylbenzene 14, and octylbenzne 15) to form host–guest complexes. X-ray diffraction study has revealed that the alkyl chains of 11–15 were selectively recognized by 1, whereas host 1 recognized the aromatic ring of 10. The alkyl chain termini of 3, 4, 6–8, 11–13, and 15 adopted unusual folded conformations in the cavity. M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) level of calculations revealed that the mutual induced-fit shape adjustments between the calix[5]arene cavity and the flexible guests play a key role in maximizing the host–guest interactions directed by the C(sp3)–H/π interactions, leading to the unusual conformations of the alkyl chain termini of the guests and the selective binding of the alkyl chains in the solid state.

Integrating commercial ambulatory electronic health records with hospital systems: An evolutionary process

ObjectiveThe increase in electronic health record implementation in all treatment venues has led to greater demands for integration within and across practice settings with different work cultures. We study the evolution of coordination processes when integrating ambulatory-specific electronic health records with hospital systems. Materials and methodsLongitudinal qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and archival documentation throughout a 5-year implementation and integration of obstetrical ambulatory and hospital records with a goal of achieving a perinatal continuum of care. ResultsAs users implement and integrate electronic health records, there is an evolution in their focus from technology acceptance to structural adaptation to coordination. The users’ perspective on standardization evolves from initial concern about the unintended consequences of standardization to recognition of its importance and then finally to more active acceptance. The system itself cannot drive all reengineering; the organization must impose specific work process changes and as the user's perspective evolves, more individually adapted and aligned change will occur. Computer integration alone does not result in coordination; users must value integrated information and incorporate this information within their workflows. DiscussionUsers initially view electronic health records as a documentation tool, but over time they come to recognize the benefits of the system for clinical information retrieval, and finally, for care coordination after the integrated information provided through electronic health records becomes more complete, accessible and adapted to meet user needs. As this occurs, coordination mechanisms move beyond pooled standardization through sequential plans coordinated by the organization to reciprocal mutual adjustments for clinical decision making by individuals. Trust in the information source, not software interoperability, is critical for information sharing. ConclusionsOrganizations implementing commercial electronic health records cannot simply assume that reciprocal coordination will immediately occur. It takes time for users to adjust, and enculturate coordination goals, during which time there are adaptive structurations that require organizational response, and changes in mechanisms for achieving coordination.

Inequalities in dental caries among 12‐year‐old Chinese children

To explore whether there are socioeconomic, ethnic, and geographical inequalities in dental caries among 12-year-old Chinese children. Data from 2,307 12-year-old children living in Guangxi, Hubei, Jilin, and Shanxi and who participated in the Third National Oral Health Survey in China were used for this study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and clinical examinations with children. The decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index and number of decayed teeth (DT) were the outcome measures for analysis. Inequalities in DMFT and DT by socioeconomic position (parental education), ethnicity, and geography (province of residence and urbanicity) were assessed in unadjusted and adjusted negative binomial regression models. Ethnicity and geographical factors, but not parental education, were significantly associated with childhood dental caries in unadjusted models. However, only geographical factors remained significantly related to dental caries after mutual adjustments. The DMFT index and DT were higher among children living in Jilin and Guangxi than those of children living in Hubei and Shanxi, and also higher among children living in rural areas than in those living in urban areas. This analysis shows inequalities in dental caries among 12-year-old children in four provinces of China. There were considerable inequalities in children's DMFT and number of decayed teeth by geography but not by ethnicity or parental education.