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This article provides a synthesis of academic research on director compensation, the ultimate purpose being the identification of practices that are measurably linked with value creation. From a methodological perspective, mapping director compensation into firm performance is extremely difficult as there are many other aspects of governance and management that ultimately affect firm performance. The article focuses on specific components or aspects of director compensation. What is deemed to be the ‘Best’ practice in director compensation evolves over time. In parallel, the popularity of stock options as a compensation strategy for corporate directors has waned, with full-value equity unit grants (typically with vesting and ownership conditions) emerging as the preferred approach. Similarly, while earlier findings show stock option grants as a director compensation tool to be value enhancing, more recent findings revisit the issue and mostly support the use of full-value unit equity-based compensation. Overall, it appears that equity-based compensation for directors translates into value creation by enhancing directors’ monitoring focus. However, its effectiveness is conditional upon a firm's context, with greater improvements in performance being observed when firms start from a weak governance base. Moreover, there are several ethical dimensions, which must be addressed in the elaboration of any director compensation strategy. The article concludes with some additional observations and some recommendations useful to practitioners and that may guide academic research as well:Director compensation must be high enough to attract high-caliber individuals and to reward them for their responsibilities, but not so high as to potentially impair their objectivity, judgment and independence.Director compensation must be set in a transparent and objective way, with clear benchmarks that reflect the most plausible talent markets.A significant proportion of director compensation must be ‘locked in’ for the long term (5–10 years).Director compensation must not be based upon the attainment of short-term objectives or goals, but rather based on the long-term success of the organisation predominantly while not encouraging excessive risk taking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides a detailed description of the IBM SiGe BiCMOS and rf complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies. Devices for communications technologies; Communications technology design and process development; Technology implications in design.

3D echocardiography (3DE) is the standard modality for visualizing heart valves and their surrounding anatomical structures. Commercial cardiovascular ultrasound systems commonly offer a set of parameters that allow clinical users to modify, in real time, visual aspects of the information contained in the echocardiogram. To our knowledge, there is currently no work that demonstrates if the methods currently used by commercial platforms are optimal. In addition, current platforms have limitations in adjusting the visibility of anatomical structures, such as reducing information that obstructs anatomical structures without removing essential clinical information. To overcome this, the present work proposes a new method for 3DE visualization based on "focus + context" (F+C), a concept which aims to present a detailed region of interest while preserving a less detailed overview of the surrounding context. The new method is intended to allow clinical users to modify parameter values differently within a certain region of interest, independently from the adjustment of contextual information. To validate this new method, a user study was conducted amongst clinical experts. As part of the user study, clinical experts adjusted parameters for five echocardiograms of patients with complete atrioventricular canal defect (CAVC) using both the method conventionally used by commercial platforms and the proposed method based on F+C. The results showed relevance for the F+C-based method to visualize 3DE of CAVC patients, where users chose significantly different parameter values with the F+C-based method.

During the COVID-19 lockdown period, several employers used furloughs, that is, temporary layoffs or unpaid leave, to sustain their businesses and retain their employees. While furloughs allow employers to reduce payroll costs, they are challenging for employees and increase voluntary turnover. This study uses a two-wave model (Time 1: n = 639/Time 2: n = 379) and confirms that furloughed employees' perceived justice in furlough management and job insecurity (measured at Time 1) explain their decision to quit their employer (measured at Time 2). In addition, our results confirm that furloughed employees' job embeddedness (measured at Time 1) has a positive mediator effect on the relationship between their perceived procedural justice in furlough management (measured at Time 1) and their turnover decision (Time 2). We discuss the contribution of this study to the fields of knowledge and practice related to turnover and furlough management to reduce their financial, human, and social costs.

Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) plays an integral role in the transition of macrophages from a pro-inflammatory program to one that is pro-resolving. FPR2-mediated stimulation of resolution post myocardial infarction has demonstrated efficacy in rodent models and is hypothesized to reduce progression into heart failure. FPR2 agonists that promote long-lasting receptor internalization can lead to persistent desensitization and diminished therapeutic benefits. In vitro signaling profiles and propensities for receptor desensitization of two clinically studied FPR2 agonists, namely, BMS-986235 and ACT-389949, were evaluated. In contrast to BMS-986235, pre-stimulation with ACT-389949 led to a decrease in its potency to inhibit cAMP production. Moreover, ACT-389949 displayed greater efficacy for β-arrestin recruitment, while efficacy of Gi activation was similar for both agonists. Following agonist-promoted FPR2 internalization, effective recycling to the plasma membrane was observed only with BMS-986235. Use of G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) knock-out cells revealed a differential impact of GRK2 versus GRK5/6 on β-arrestin recruitment and Gi activation promoted by the two FPR2 agonists. In vivo, decreases of granulocytes in circulation were greatly diminished in mice treated with ACT-389949 but not for BMS-986235. With short-term dosing, both compounds induced a pro-resolution polarization state in cardiac monocyte/macrophages post myocardial infarction. By contrast, with long-term dosing, only BMS-986235 preserved the infarct wall thickness and increased left ventricular ejection fraction in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Altogether, the study shows that differences in the desensitization profiles induced by ACT-389949 and BMS-986235 at the molecular level may explain their distinct inflammatory/pro-resolving activities in vivo., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 American Chemical Society.)

Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. 3D imaging of the heart's structure is critical to the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, open-source tools for image analysis of cardiac images, particularly 3D echocardiographic (3DE) data, are limited. We describe the rationale, development, implementation, and application of SlicerHeart, a cardiac-focused toolkit for image analysis built upon 3D Slicer, an open-source image computing platform. We designed and implemented multiple Python scripted modules within 3D Slicer to import, register, and view 3DE data, including new code to volume render and crop 3DE. In addition, we developed dedicated workflows for the modeling and quantitative analysis of multi-modality image-derived heart models, including heart valves. Finally, we created and integrated new functionality to facilitate the planning of cardiac interventions and surgery. We demonstrate application of SlicerHeart to a diverse range of cardiovascular modeling and simulation including volume rendering of 3DE images, mitral valve modeling, transcatheter device modeling, and planning of complex surgical intervention such as cardiac baffle creation. SlicerHeart is an evolving open-source image processing platform based on 3D Slicer initiated to support the investigation and treatment of congenital heart disease. The technology in SlicerHeart provides a robust foundation for 3D image-based investigation in cardiovascular medicine., Competing Interests: CP is a contracted developer employed by Pixel Medical. SP is a software architect at Isomics, Inc. Both Pixel and Isomics are companies which support open-source software. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Lasso, Herz, Nam, Cianciulli, Pieper, Drouin, Pinter, St-Onge, Vigil, Ching, Sunderland, Fichtinger, Kikinis and Jolley.)

This study extends our knowledge about the management of older employees in the sector of financial services, which faces enormous transformational pressures (e.g., emergence of artificial intelligence, digital services). Based on the black box model of human resource management, we investigate how executives at 16 major financial institutions manage their total rewards to motivate their older professionals to stay at work longer. Top management's views towards older professionals underlie a firm's culture or climate, and more precisely, the extent of the perception that they are a strategic resource that needs focused management. Across firms, such adaptation (or lack thereof) is made through the following total rewards components: (1) flexibility in working time and place of work, (2) hiring of retirees, (3) hiring or promotion of older professionals, (4) role adjustment, (5) responsibilities and performance standards, (6) monetary rewards, benefits, and (7) recognition, succession planning, and support for retirement planning or preparation. The black box model should be used in future research to understand which reward components work best in which contextsto motivate older workers to stay at work longer.

The recognition that individual GPCRs can activate multiple signaling pathways has raised the possibility of developing drugs selectively targeting therapeutically relevant ones. This requires tools to determine which G proteins and βarrestins are activated by a given receptor. Here, we present a set of BRET sensors monitoring the activation of the 12 G protein subtypes based on the translocation of their effectors to the plasma membrane (EMTA). Unlike most of the existing detection systems, EMTA does not require modification of receptors or G proteins (except for G s ). EMTA was found to be suitable for the detection of constitutive activity, inverse agonism, biased signaling and polypharmacology. Profiling of 100 therapeutically relevant human GPCRs resulted in 1500 pathway-specific concentration-response curves and revealed a great diversity of coupling profiles ranging from exquisite selectivity to broad promiscuity. Overall, this work describes unique resources for studying the complexities underlying GPCR signaling and pharmacology., Competing Interests: CA, AH, SS, MC, MH, DG No competing interests declared, AM, CN, FG, SM was employee of Domain Therapeutics North America during this research, BB was employee of Domain Therapeutics North America during this research. Has filed patent application (US20200256869A1) related to the biosensors used in this work and the technology has been licensed to Domain Therapeutics, CL, HK, MH, VL has filed patent application (US20200256869A1) related to the biosensors used in this work and the technology has been licensed to Domain Therapeutics, EF, JF is employee and shares holders of Pfizer, SS, XL is employee and is part of the management of Domain Therapeutics, MB is the president of Domain Therapeutics scientific advisory board. Has filed patent application (US20200256869A1) related to the biosensors used in this work and the technology has been licensed to Domain Therapeutics, (© 2022, Avet et al.)

Background: Computer-intensive office work associations with health challenges may intensify following COVID-19 pandemic-related changes to home-based office work., Objective: To determine working conditions, perception and physical elements affecting health after pivoting to full time home-work., Methods: An online questionnaire addressed physical, productivity, motivation, and work-practice factors. Photos of the worker in their home-work environment showed side and front-back perspectives., Results: Sixteen questionnaires were received, and 12 respondents supplied photos. Home and office workplace differences varied. Ten felt productivity was affected, most often positively. Four noted increased pain or fatigue intensity, particularly in the eyes, neck / head, lower back, and shoulders. Working posture was not optimal; six didn't use traditional chair-sitting for up to half the day. Forward and backward trunk inclination accounted for at least 10% of the workday for 12 respondents; lateral inclination affected ten and eight had unsupported legs. Fifteen used an adjustable chair, but photos revealed ergonomic recommendations were not consistently followed. Fourteen participants communicated regularly by telephone, eight only for moderate duration and ten using adapted telephone equipment. Half of the ROSA scores were high., Conclusions: Workers forced into telework during the pandemic experience positive and negative impacts. Postures vary more than in offices, potentially increasing health risk.

Aim: The study explores how prevailing absenteeism frustrates or thwarts nurses' and nursing assistants' basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness), using self-determination theory., Background: Our study responds to the call to investigate how organisational characteristics influence employees' psychological need, satisfaction and their attitudes and behaviours., Method: We conducted a semantic analysis of the discourse of 42 nurses and nursing assistants working in nursing homes for older dependent people in France., Results: The analysis subdivides participants' discourse into four themes: short-term absenteeism, lack of competence, lack of recognition and work overload. These themes are all linked to participants' perceived deficits or threats concerning their psychological needs., Conclusions: The prevailing absenteeism has a harmful spiral impact on nurses' and nursing assistants' attitudes and behaviours, and, ultimately, on the quality of care received by the patients., Implications for Nursing Management: Our study confirms the need to adopt various managerial actions to address the following interrelated issues: controlling short-term absences, reducing work overload and giving training and recognition., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Dysregulated inflammation following myocardial infarction (MI) leads to maladaptive healing and remodeling. The study characterized and evaluated a selective formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) agonist BMS-986235 in cellular assays and in rodents undergoing MI. BMS-986235 activated G proteins and promoted β-arrestin recruitment, enhanced phagocytosis and neutrophil apoptosis, regulated chemotaxis, and stimulated interleukin-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene expression. Treatment with BMS-986235 improved mouse survival, reduced left ventricular area, reduced scar area, and preserved wall thickness. Treatment increased macrophage arginase-1 messenger RNA and CD206 receptor levels indicating a proresolution phenotype. In rats following MI, BMS-986235 preserved viable myocardium, attenuated left ventricular remodeling, and increased ejection fraction relative to control animals. Therefore, FPR2 agonism improves post-MI healing, limits remodeling and preserves function, and may offer an innovative therapeutic option to improve outcomes., Competing Interests: This work was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb (Princeton, New Jersey, USA). All authors are employees of Bristol Myers Squibb or affiliates via collaboration or contract research., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Background: Chest tubes are routinely used after cardiac surgery to evacuate shed mediastinal blood. Incomplete chest drainage due to chest tube clogging can lead to retained blood after cardiac surgery. This can include cardiac tamponade, hemothorax, bloody effusions and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). Prior published non randomized studies have demonstrated that active tube clearance (ATC) of chest tubes can reduce retained blood complications prompting the ERAS Cardiac Society guidelines to recommend this modality., Objective: A randomized prospective trial to evaluate whether an ATC protocol aimed at improving chest tube patency without breaking the sterile field could efficiently reduce complications related to retained blood after cardiac surgery., Methods: This was a pragmatic, single-blinded, parallel randomized control trial held from November 2015 to June 2017 including a 30-day post index surgery follow-up. The setting was two academic centers affiliated with the Université de Montréal School of Medicine; the Montreal Heart Institute and the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal. Adult patients admitted for non-emergent coronary bypass grafting and/or valvular heart surgery through median sternotomy, in sinus rhythm for a minimum of 30 days prior to the surgical intervention were eligible for inclusion. In the active tube clearance group (ATC), a 28F PleuraFlow device was positioned within the mediastinum. In the standard drainage group, a conventional chest tube (Teleflex Inc.) was used. Other chest tubes were left at the discretion of the operating surgeon., Results: A total of 520 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomized to receive either ATC (n = 257) or standard drainage (n = 263). ATC was associated with a 72% reduction in re-exploration for bleeding (5.7% vs 1.6%, p = .01) and an 89% reduction in complete chest tube occlusion (2% vs 19%, p = .01). There was an 18% reduction in POAF between the ATC and control group that was not statistically significant (31% vs 38%, p = .08)., Conclusions and Relevance: In this RCT, the implementation of active clearance of chest tubes reduced re-exploration and chest tube clogging in patients after cardiac surgery further supporting recommendations to consider this modality postoperatively., Trial Registration: Clinical Trials NCT02808897 . Retrospectively registered 22 June 2016.