bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paludification reduces black spruce growth rate but does not alter tree water use efficiency in Canadian boreal forested peatlands
Authors: Beaulne Joannie , Boucher Étienne , Garneau Michelle , Magnan Gabriel
Published: May 2021

Background

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP)-forested peatlands are widespread ecosystems in boreal North America in which peat accumulation, known as the paludification process, has been shown to induce forest growth decline. The continuously evolving environmental conditions (e.g., water table rise, increasing peat thickness) in paludified forests may require tree growth mechanism adjustments over time. In this study, we investigate tree ecophysiological mechanisms along a paludification gradient in a boreal forested peatland of eastern Canada by combining peat-based and tree-ring analyses. Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes in tree rings are used to document changes in carbon assimilation rates, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency. In addition, paleohydrological analyses are performed to evaluate the dynamical ecophysiological adjustments of black spruce trees to site-specific water table variations.

Results

Increasing peat accumulation considerably impacts forest growth, but no significant differences in tree water use efficiency (iWUE) are found between the study sites. Tree-ring isotopic analysis indicates no iWUE decrease over the last 100 years, but rather an important increase at each site up to the 1980s, before iWUE stabilized. Surprisingly, inferred basal area increments do not reflect such trends. Therefore, iWUE variations do not reflect tree ecophysiological adjustments required by changes in growing conditions. Local water table variations induce no changes in ecophysiological mechanisms, but a synchronous shift in iWUE is observed at all sites in the mid-1980s.

Conclusions

Our study shows that paludification induces black spruce growth decline without altering tree water use efficiency in boreal forested peatlands. These findings highlight that failing to account for paludification-related carbon use and allocation could result in the overestimation of aboveground biomass production in paludified sites. Further research on carbon allocation strategies is of utmost importance to understand the carbon sink capacity of these widespread ecosystems in the context of climate change, and to make appropriate forest management decisions in the boreal biome.
The risk of diabetes after giving birth to a macrosomic infant: data from the NHANES cohort
Authors: Miller Corrie , Lim Eunjung
Published: May 2021

Aims

Gestational diabetes (GDM) increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and thus warrants earlier and more frequent screening. Women who give birth to a macrosomic infant, as defined as a birthweight greater than 9 lbs. (or approximately 4000 g), are encouraged to also get early type 2 diabetes screening, as macrosomia may be a surrogate marker for GDM. This study investigates whether a macrosomic infant, as defined as 9lbs, apart from GDM, increases the risk for diabetes later in life.

Methods

Data on parous women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016 were utilized. Rates of diabetes were compared in those with and without macrosomic infants in Rao-Scott’s chi-square test. Multiple logistic regression was used to test the independent effect of macrosomia on type 2 diabetes controlling for the confounding covariates and adjusting for the complex sampling design. To investigate how onset time affects diabetes, we implemented Cox proportional hazard regressions on time to have diabetes.

Results

Among 10,089 parous women, macrosomia significantly increased the risk of maternal diabetes later in life in the chi-square test and logistic regression. Independent of GDM, women who deliver a macrosomic infant have a 20% higher chance of developing diabetes compared to women who did not. The expected hazards of having type 2 diabetes is 1.66 times higher in a woman with macrosomic infant compared to counterparts.

Conclusions

Women who gave birth to a macrosomic infant in the absence of GDM should be offered earlier and more frequent screening for type 2 diabetes.
Effectiveness of integrated nutrition interventions on childhood stunting: a quasi-experimental evaluation design
Authors: Elisaria Ester , Mrema Jackline , Bogale Tariki , Segafredo Giulia , Festo Charles
Published: May 2021

Background

Although malnutrition particularly stunting is recognized as multi-causal, there has been limited integrated nutrition interventions to reduce its burden in children under-fives and those existing are not well evaluated. This study tested the effectiveness of provision of health and nutrition education and promotion of home gardening in child stunting.

Methods

The study used a quasi-experimental evaluation design. Two rounds of household surveys were done to assess changes in behaviors (uptake of Antenatal Care services and child feeding practices) and stunting among children under-5 years. The sample size was calculated to detect a 10% percent absolute baseline-to-end-line change in stunting. A two-stage stratified sampling process was used to sample 896 and 1736 households at each round of data collection in the intervention and control districts respectively. Mothers delivered in the past 24 months preceding the survey and all children under-5 years residing in selected households were eligible. The difference in difference (DID) analysis was used to estimate effect of the interventions. All ethical clearances were obtained from relevant authorities prior to data collection.

Results

A total of 3467 and 4145 children under 5 years were recruited at baseline and endline respectively. The proportional of stunted children decreases from 35.9 to 34.2% in intervention and from 29.3 to 26.8% in the control sites. Overall, no statistically significant stunting reduction was observed between intervention and control sites. However, a significant effect was observed in intermediate outcomes; Uptake of iron folic acid (DID: 5.2%, (95% CI: 1.7–8.7), p = 0.003), health facility delivery (DID: 6.5%, (95% CI: 1.8–11.2), p = 0.006), pre-lacteal feeding (DID: − 5.9%, (95%CI: − 9.2, − 2.5), p = 0.001), breast feeding within 1 h after birth (DID: 7.8%, (95%CI: 2.2–13.4), p = 0.006) and exclusive breast feeding in children under 6 months (DID:20.3%, (95% CI: 10.5–30.1), p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The 3 years program did not result in significant evidence of stunting reduction, but the observed effect on health and nutrition behavioural indicators are at the causal pathways to improved child nutritional outcomes in the long run. Implementation of these integrated packages over a longer duration is needed to witness significant reduction in the prevalence of stunting.
The impact of gross domestic product on the financing and investment efficiency of China’s commercial banks
Authors: Shi Zhen , Qin Shijiong , Chiu Yung-ho , Tan Xiaoying , Miao Xiaoli
Published: May 2021

China’s commercial banks have developed at a very rapid speed in recent decades. However, with global economic development slowing down, the impact of gross domestic product growth as an exogenous factor cannot be ignored. Most existing studies only consider the internal factors of banks, and neglect their external economic factors. This study thus adopts an undesirable dynamic slacks-based measure under an exogenous model in combination with the Kernel density curve to explore the efficiency of state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs), joint-stock commercial banks (JSCBs), and urban commercial banks (UCBs) in China from 2012 to 2018. The results show that SOCBs have the highest overall efficiency, followed by JSCBs, then UCBs. The efficiencies of SOCBs, JSCBs, and UCBs in the financing stage are greater than those in the investment stage, indicating that the latter stage brings down overall efficiency. Thus, all commercial banks need to focus on the efficiency of non-performing loans and return on capital. Finally, SOCBs need to strengthen internal controls, reduce non-performing loans and improve return on capital. JSCBs should actively expand its business while controlling costs, and UCBs should optimize its management.
Learning log-based automatic group formation: system design and classroom implementation study
Authors: Liang Changhao , Majumdar Rwitajit , Ogata Hiroaki
Published: May 2021

Collaborative learning in the form of group work is becoming increasingly significant in education since interpersonal skills count in modern society. However, teachers often get overwhelmed by the logistics involved in conducting any group work. Valid support for executing and managing such activities in a timely and informed manner becomes imperative. This research introduces an intelligent system focusing on group formation which consists of a parameter setting module and the group member visualization panel where the results of the created group are shown to the user and can be graded. The system supports teachers by applying algorithms to actual learning log data thereby simplifying the group formation process and saving time for them. A pilot study in a primary school mathematics class proved to have a positive effect on students’ engagement and affections while participating in group activities based on the system-generated groups, thus providing empirical evidence to the practice of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) systems.
DICOM-MIABIS integration model for biobanks: a use case of the EU PRIMAGE project
Authors: Scapicchio Camilla , Gabelloni Michela , Forte Sara Maria , Alberich Leonor Cerdá , Faggioni Lorenzo , Borgheresi Rita , Erba Paola , Paiar Fabiola , Marti-Bonmati Luis , Neri Emanuele
Published: May 2021

PRIMAGE is a European Commission-financed project dealing with medical imaging and artificial intelligence aiming to create an imaging biobank in oncology. The project includes a task dedicated to the interoperability between imaging and standard biobanks. We aim at linking Digital imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) metadata to the Minimum Information About BIobank data Sharing (MIABIS) standard of biobanking. A very first integration model based on the fusion of the two existing standards, MIABIS and DICOM, has been developed. The fundamental method was that of expanding the MIABIS core to the imaging field, adding DICOM metadata derived from CT scans of 18 paediatric patients with neuroblastoma. The model was developed with the relational database management system Structured Query Language. The integration data model has been built as an Entity Relationship Diagram, commonly used to organise data within databases. Five additional entities have been linked to the “Image Collection” subcategory in order to include the imaging metadata more specific to the particular type of data: Body Part Examined, Modality Information, Dataset Type, Image Analysis, and Registration Parameters. The model is a starting point for the expansion of MIABIS with further DICOM metadata, enabling the inclusion of imaging data in biorepositories.
Endophytic colonization of tomato plants by Beauveria bassiana Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and leaf damage in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
Authors: Toffa Joelle , Loko Yeyinou Laura Estelle , Kpindou Ouorou Kobi Douro , Zanzana Karim , Adikpeto Josky , Gbenontin Yasmine , Koudamiloro Augustin , Adandonon Appolinaire
Published: May 2021

Background

The endophytic capacity of Beauveria bassiana Vuillemin isolates in 2 tomato varieties and their effects on damage and survival of the tomato fruit worm Helicoverpa armigera Hubner larvae were studied. The bioassays consisted of sowing seeds of 2 tomato cultivars soaked for 24 h in B. bassiana conidial suspension at the concentration of 1 × 107 and 1 × 109 conidia/ml for the isolates Bb 115 and Bb 11, respectively. Ten leaf, stem, and root segments were cut and incubated for assessing the endophytic growth of the fungus. Percentage of leaf consumption and pathogenicity of B. bassiana on H. armigera larvae were estimated.

Main body

The fungus B. bassiana developed endophytically in the 2 tomato varieties and was detected in tomato leaf, stem, and root. However, higher colonization rates were observed in roots than in leaves and stems. The B. bassiana isolate Bb 115 had a greater negative effect on the mean survival times (MSTs) of H. armigera larvae and on leaf consumption for local and improved tomato varieties. In fact, the lowest MSTs were recorded at the concentration of 1 × 109conidia/ml for Bb 115 in 1.5 ± 0.2 days, i.e., 7 days less than the surviving larvae of the control group, which MSTs were 8.4 ± 0.9 days. Consumed leaf areas by larvae averaged (89.17 ± 10.33 mm2) at a fungal concentration of 1 × 109conidia/ml for Bb115. It was the best compared to that of untreated control (820.3 ± 92.77 mm2). The colonization rate of the different plant parts increased with conidia concentration in both tomatoes varieties.

Conclusion

This study reported the effect of endophytic colonization of tomato by B. bassiana on the survival of H. armigera larvae and showed that the isolates Bb 115 and Bb 11 could be considered as useful microorganisms for the integrated control of H. armigera.
Different accretion and diagenetic patterns within the fabrics of the Permian–Triassic boundary microbialites on the Leye isolated carbonate platform, South China Block
Authors: Zhang Xi-Yang , Li Yue , Wang Guan , Yang Hong-Qiang
Published: May 2021

A comprehensive study on the accretion and diagenesis of the Permian–Triassic boundary microbialites is conducive to a better understanding of the ecological community after the end-Permian mass extinction. Here we studied the special microbialite sequences at the Tianba section of Leye isolated carbonate platform, South China Block. The microbialites are shown as small columnar stromatolites, stromatolitic thrombolites, spotted thrombolites, and domical digitate thrombolites in an ascending order. Thin section analyses, coupled with cathodoluminescence photos and oxygen isotopic data, reveal that all types of microbially-mediated laminae/clots are partly recrystallized. Layers of the Polybessurus-like fossils commonly occur in the recrystallized fabrics of stromatolitic laminae. However, the Polybessurus-like fossils are rare in quantity and generally fragmentary and structureless in stromatolitic clots and spotted clots. Such taphonomic features are likely interpreted as the early decomposition by heterotrophic bacteria in an oxygen-depleted microenvironment caused by rapid accumulations of organic matter in the calm water. More enrichments of 13C in the laminae of stromatolite and in the clots of stromatolitic thrombolite and spotted thrombolite than in adjacent interstitial matrixes signify the photosynthesis-dominated isotopic fractionation during the growth of microbial communities. Rare calcimicrobial structures but many calcite crystal fans were found in the 13C-depleted digitate clots. These phenomena indicate that seawater on the carbonate platform was 12C-enriched and supersaturated, accelerating carbonate precipitations and decompositions of organic matter within the microbial community. Different preservations of the Polybessurus-like fossil revealed the complicated microbially-dominated sedimentation and post-depositional diagenesis in the abnormal seawater after the catastrophe.
Surgical experience of hepatectomy in a live donor with absent celiac trunk - a case report
Authors: Arif Fizzah , Muhammad Shah , Khan Muhammad Arsalan , Khan Abdaal Waseem
Published: May 2021

Background

Celiac trunk agenesis is the recent and the rarest vascular variation reported. Reported cases in literature were identified either incidentally on imaging or while cadaveric dissections. This is a unique experience of hepatectomy in a patient without celiac artery ever reported.

Case presentation

This is a case of a patient who was scheduled to undergo donor hepatectomy. He was found to have a rare anatomical variation of agenesis of the celiac trunk during preoperative imaging done as a routine transplant surgery workup. He underwent live donor hepatectomy with no intra-operative or post-operative complications. This is the first case to be reported in the literature of a donor hepatectomy for liver transplantation in a patient with this rarest vascular variation of the celiac axis.

Conclusion

Pre-operative imaging to determine hepatic vascular anatomy improves the understanding of the surgeon intraoperatively while dissection and decreases the chance of any iatrogenic damage.
Squamous cell carcinoma arising from inverted Schneiderian papilloma: a case report
Authors: Juvekar Meenesh , Sarkar Baisali
Published: May 2021

Background

Sinonasal inverted papilloma or Schneiderian papilloma is a rare benign tumor of paranasal sinuses and nasal cavities. It can cause bone remodeling and has a significant malignant potential. Hence, it is very important to diagnose and treat the tumor at the earliest. Recurrence can occur even after surgical extensive resection.

Case presentation

This case report highlights a case of a 36-year-old male patient who presented with right-sided reduced vision, nasal blockage, headache, and occasional blood-tinged nasal discharge.

CT scan of paranasal sinuses revealed chronic sinonasal polyposis with secondary fungal colonization. MRI of the brain with orbit and PNS was suspicious for aggressive neoplastic disease with encasement of the cavernous sinuses and involvement of orbital fissure. The patient was operated for extended functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Histopathology revealed moderately differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinoma associated with Schneiderian (inverted) papilloma. Post-operatively, the patient received radiation for 4 weeks. Post-operative check nasal endoscopy was done 3 and 6 months after completion of radiotherapy which showed no evidence of recurrent disease with good healing and mucosalization of all the sinuses.

Conclusions

Sinonasal inverted papilloma, though a benign tumor, may turn malignant. Diagnosis is based on radiological investigations (in order to know the extent of the disease) and biopsy (to check if it is benign or additional malignancy present). Staging of the tumor helps in outlining the treatment protocol in each case. Post-surgery radiotherapy is indicated in cases where there is malignancy or complete resection of the tumor cannot be achieved. Meticulous follow-up of the post-operative patients is vital to check for recurrence.
Evolution of Disparities in Prostate Cancer Treatment: Is This a New Normal?
Authors: Cackowski Frank C. , Mahal Brandon , Heath Elisabeth I. , Carthon Bradley
Published: May 2021

Despite notable screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic advances, disparities in prostate cancer incidence and outcomes remain prevalent. Although commonly discussed in the context of men of African descent, disparities also exist based on socioeconomic level, education level, and geographic location. The factors in these disparities span systemic access issues affecting availability of care, provider awareness, and personal patient views and mistrust. In this review, we will discuss common themes that patients have noted as impediments to care. We will review how equitable access to care has helped improve outcomes among many different groups of patients, including those with local disease and those with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Even with more advanced presentation, challenges with recommended screening, and lower rates of genomic testing and trial inclusion, Black populations have benefited greatly from various modalities of therapy, achieving comparable and at times superior outcomes with certain types of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, androgen receptor–based inhibitors, and radiopharmaceuticals in advanced disease. We will also briefly discuss access to genomic testing and differences in patterns of gene expression among Black patients and other groups that are traditionally underrepresented in trials and genomic cohort studies. We propose several strategies on behalf of providers and institutions to help promote more equitable care access environments and continued decreases in prostate cancer disparities across many subgroups.
Associative learning in larval and adultDrosophilais impaired by the dopamine-synthesis inhibitor 3-Iodo-L-tyrosine
Authors: Thoener Juliane , König Christian , Weiglein Aliće , Toshima Naoko , Mancini Nino , Amin Fatima , Schleyer Michael
Published: May 2021

Across the animal kingdom, dopamine plays a crucial role in conferring reinforcement signals that teach animals about the causal structure of the world. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, dopaminergic reinforcement has largely been studied using genetics, whereas pharmacological approaches have received less attention. Here, we apply the dopamine-synthesis inhibitor 3-Iodo-L-tyrosine (3IY), which causes acute systemic inhibition of dopamine signaling, and investigate its effects on Pavlovian conditioning. We find that 3IY feeding impairs sugar-reward learning in larvae while leaving task-relevant behavioral faculties intact, and that additional feeding of a precursor of dopamine (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, L-DOPA), rescues this impairment. Concerning a different developmental stage and for the aversive valence domain. Moreover, we demonstrate that punishment learning by activating the dopaminergic neuron PPL1-γ1pedc in adult flies is also impaired by 3IY feeding, and can likewise be rescued by L-DOPA. Our findings exemplify the advantages of using a pharmacological approach in combination with the genetic techniques available in D. melanogaster to manipulate neuronal and behavioral function.
Financial Fragility during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Clark Robert L. , Lusardi Annamaria , Mitchell Olivia S.
Published: May 2021

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the US economy was closed to limit the virus's spread, and several emergency interventions were implemented. Our analysis of older (45-75) respondents fielded in April-May of 2020 indicates that about 1 in 5 respondents was financially fragile and would have difficulty facing a midsize emergency expense. Some subgroups were at particular risk of facing financial difficulties, especially younger respondents, those with larger families, Hispanics, and those with low income. Moreover, the more financially literate were better able to handle such shocks, indicating that knowledge can provide some additional protection during a pandemic.
Where Is Pollution Moving? Environmental Markets and Environmental Justice
Authors: Shapiro Joseph S. , Walker Reed
Published: May 2021

Do US air pollution offset markets disproportionately relocate pollution to or from low-income or minority communities? Concerns about an equal distribution of environmental quality across communities--environmental justice--have growing policy influence. We relate prices and quantities of offset transactions to the demographics of the communities surrounding polluting plants. We find little association of offset prices or offset-induced movements in pollution with the share of a community that is Black or Hispanic or with mean household income. This analysis of 12 prominent offset markets suggests that they do not substantially increase or decrease the equity of environmental outcomes.
Who Gets Their First Job at a Large Firm? The Distinct Roles of Education and Skills
Authors: Arellano-Bover Jaime
Published: May 2021

Young workers' early years in the labor market are a key and formative time. Using data from 31 countries, this article documents the selection of labor market entrants into large firms, which existing literature associates with propitious environments for young workers. The young and inexperienced are underrepresented at large firms compared to experienced and older workers. Entrants who do get their first job at large firms are positively selected in terms of education and cognitive skills. The patterns of large-firm selection (i.e., importance of education vs. skills) somewhat differ between Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and North America.
Ownership and Trust in Banks: Evidence from the First Bank in an American Indian Nation
Authors: Feir Donna , Wellhausen Rachel L. , Thrall Calvin
Published: May 2021

In collaboration with an American Indian nation, we conducted a survey that is the first of its kind in Indian Country. The survey explored tribal members' financial experiences in the months before the first bank opened on their reservation. In this article, we connect respondents' reported ex ante trust in banks to their support for the new bank. Descriptively, respondents are highly supportive of the new bank whatever their ex ante trust in banks, but the relationship is nonlinear. Native ownership seems to be particularly silent to those in the middle or low end of the trust distribution.
Do Male and Female Students Use Networks Differently?
Authors: Gallen Yana , Wasserman Melanie
Published: May 2021

Gender differences in professional networks have been shown to contribute to men and women's disparate labor market outcomes. This gap could be due to differences in network access, differences in network usage, or both. Using novel administrative data from a student-alumni professional networking website, we study gender differences in student network usage, holding network access fixed. Focusing on messages sent by students to alumni, we document that male and female students network similarly, in terms of both the number of messages sent and the specific questions asked. Furthermore, there are only small gender differences in question tone.
Promoting Female Interest in Economics: Limits to Nudges
Authors: Pugatch Todd , Schroeder Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

We assess whether light-touch interventions can increase the proportion of women who study economics. Over 2,000 students were randomly assigned to receive a message with basic information about the economics major, the basic message combined with an emphasis on the rewarding careers or financial returns associated with the major, or no message. The basic message increased the proportion of male students majoring in economics by 2 percentage points, equivalent to the control mean. We find no significant effects for female students. Extrapolating to the full sample, the basic message would nearly double the male/female ratio among economics majors.
School Capital Expenditure Rules and Distribution
Authors: Biasi Barbara , Lafortune Julien , Schönholzer David
Published: May 2021

We provide descriptive evidence on the level and within-state distribution of school capital expenditures over the past two decades. We relate these to the fiscal institutions governing capital funding across states. Within-state differences in capital expenditures between the highest-and lowest-income school districts fell considerably following the Great Recession. Spending declined in the highest-income districts, while state support for low-income districts remained stable. Suggestive evidence points to the importance of constraints on districts' ability to raise local funding and the structure of state support in explaining these differences and trends over time.
Identifying Students at Risk Using a New Math Skills Assessment
Authors: Orlov George , McKee Douglas , Foster Irene R. , Bottan Daria , Thomas Stephanie R.
Published: May 2021

Math skills are critical for success in economics courses. However, instructors often lack information about the level and extent of their students' underpreparedness in mathematics. In this paper, we describe the development of two new assessments of math skills relevant for introductory and intermediate economics courses. The assessments may be used early in the semester to evaluate students and identify those with weak math skills. With data from introductory and intermediate microeconomics courses, we employ two different methodologies, a simple threshold analysis and a more sophisticated LASSO logit approach, to illustrate how our assessments identify students at risk of underperforming.
Arrow Meets Hotelling: Modeling Spatial Innovation
Authors: Callander Steven , Lambert Nicolas , Matouschek Niko
Published: May 2021

We combine a spatial model of innovation with Hotelling's model of competition. Innovations are vertically and also horizontally differentiated. Potential innovators choose not only whether to innovate but also how to innovate. The bolder they are with a new product, the riskier is the outcome but the softer will be the resulting market competition with existing products. We use the model to explore the interaction of competition and innovation and address several classic questions. The recurring finding is that increased market competition drives not only more innovation but more novel and riskier innovation that offers a higher chance of breakthrough outcomes.
Learning and Corruption on Monitoring Chains
Authors: Strulovici Bruno
Published: May 2021

“But who will guard the guardians?” I revisit this age-old question under the following assumptions: (i) guardians are devoid of ethical motives and have quasilinear preferences, (ii) guardians monitor one another through a monitoring chain, and (iii) any two consecutive guardians in the chain can bargain away “inefficient” punishments through corruptive arrangements. Under these assumptions, monitoring is impossible unless rewards or punishments are unbounded. When material incentives are bounded and local corruption is feasible, the answer to the initial question is “no one.”
COVID-19 Shifted Patent Applications toward Technologies That Support Working from Home
Authors: Bloom Nicholas , Davis Steven J. , Zhestkova Yulia
Published: May 2021

We examine the text content of US patent applications, identifying those that advance technologies in support of video conferencing, telecommuting, remote interactivity, and working from home (collectively, WFH). The share of new patent applications that advance WFH technologies more than doubles from January to September of 2020, greatly surpassing its previous peak and following an upward trajectory since the onset of the pandemic. This evidence suggests that (re)directed technical change in reaction to COVID-19 will raise the quality and efficiency of remote work, thereby reinforcing a shift to working from home even after the pandemic ends.
Across the Universe: Policy Support for Employment and Revenue in the Pandemic Recession
Authors: Decker Ryan A. , Kurtzman Robert J. , Lutz Byron F. , Nekarda Christopher J.
Published: May 2021

Using data from 14 government sources, we develop comprehensive estimates of US economic activity by sector, legal form of organization, and firm size to characterize how four government direct-lending programs--the Paycheck Protection Program, Main Street Lending Program, Corporate Credit Facilities, and Municipal Liquidity Facility--relate to these classes of economic activity in the United States. The classes targeted by these programs are vast--accounting for 97 percent of total US employment--though entity-specific financial criteria limit coverage within specific programs. These programs notionally cover a far larger universe than what was targeted by analogous Great Recession-era lending policies.
Low Energy: Estimating Electric Vehicle Electricity Use
Authors: Burlig Fiona , Bushnell James , Rapson David , Wolfram Catherine
Published: May 2021

We provide the first at-scale estimate of electric vehicle (EV) home charging. Previous estimates are based on conflicting surveys or are extrapolated from a small, unrepresentative sample of households with dedicated EV meters. We combine billions of hourly electricity meter measurements with address-level EV registration records from California households, including 64,000 EV owners. The average EV increases overall household load by 2.9 kilowatt-hours per day, well under half the amount assumed by state regulators. Results imply that EVs travel less than expected on electric power, raising questions about transportation electrification for climate policy.
Long-Term Employment Effects from Job Losses during the COVID-19 Crisis? A Comparison to the Great Recession and Its Slow Recovery
Authors: von Wachter Till
Published: May 2021

This paper compares predictions for the long-term reductions in the employment-to-population (EPOP) ratio based on estimates of the overall job-loss rate and the long-term effects of job loss with the actual evolution of the EPOP ratio. It took about ten years after the end of the Great Recession for the EPOP ratio to recover from substantial reductions partly implied by job-loss effects. Based on job loss during the COVID-19 crisis through July, the prediction is that 15-37 percent of the reduction of the EPOP ratio in December 2020 is permanent.
Wage Insurance and Labor Market Trajectories
Authors: Hyman Benjamin G. , Kovak Brian K. , Leive Adam , Naff Theodore
Published: May 2021

Wage insurance provides income support to displaced workers who find reemployment at a lower wage. We study the effects of the wage insurance provisions of the US Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program using administrative data from the state of Virginia. The program includes an age-based eligibility cutoff, allowing us to compare earnings and employment trajectories for workers whose ages at the time of displacement make them eligible or ineligible for the program. Our findings suggest that wage insurance eligibility increases short-run employment probabilities and that wage insurance and TAA training may yield similar long-run effects on employment and earnings.
Working for Your Bread: The Labor Supply Effects of SNAP
Authors: Bitler Marianne , Cook Jason , Rothbaum Jonathan
Published: May 2021

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the only universal US means-tested safety net program, has a low benefit-reduction rate. Thus, many SNAP recipients are working. We apply recent methods to study whether there is evidence of moral hazard among SNAP recipients. We see if individuals respond to incentives in SNAP eligibility by bunching near kink points in the budget set. While this responsiveness has been shown for various taxes and tax credits, little work has examined responsiveness of safety net program participants to kinks in their eligibility formulae. We use novel administrative data on eligibility determination and find little evidence of responsiveness around these kinks.
Public Economics and Inequality: Uncovering Our Social Nature
Authors: Saez Emmanuel
Published: May 2021

This paper argues that the social nature of humans, absent from the standard economic model, is crucial for understanding our large modern social states and why concerns about inequality are so pervasive. A social solution arises when a situation is resolved at the group level (rather than the individual level) through cooperation and fair distribution of the resulting surplus. In human societies, childcare and education for the young, retirement benefits for the old, health care for the sick, and income support for those in need are resolved at the social level and through the social state in advanced economies. Social situations are pervasive even outside government and play a significant role in the distribution of pretax market incomes.
Intergenerational Economic Mobility and the Racial Wealth Gap
Authors: Toney Jermaine , Robertson Cassandra L.
Published: May 2021

A growing body of research documents the importance of wealth and the racial wealth gap in perpetuating inequality across generations. We examine the impact of wealth on child income. Our two-stage least squares regressions reveal that grandparental wealth has an important effect on the younger generation's stock, which in turn affects the younger generation's household income. We further explore the relationship between income and wealth by decomposing the child's income by race. We find that the intergroup disparity in income is mainly attributable to differences in family background. These findings indicate that wealth is an important source of income inequality.
Who Belongs? The Determinants of Selective Membership into the National Bureau of Economic Research
Authors: Kleemans Marieke , Thornton Rebecca L.
Published: May 2021

We examine the determinants of membership into the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) using data from all tenured and tenure-track economists at R1 universities in the United States. We construct an annual panel of employment, research productivity, NBER membership, and connectedness to NBER members. Using survival analysis, we show that conditional on controls, the hazard of becoming an NBER member is lower for men. Membership is highly dependent on top-five publications rather than total publications or citations, particularly so for women. Networks play a crucial role in determining NBER membership--especially having same-sex colleagues and advisors who are NBER members.
Contraceptive implant migration to the lung
Authors: Wali Anuj , Bilkhu Rajdeep , Rizzo Victoria , Bille Andrea
Published: May 2021

A 27-year-old female presented with a ‘missing’ contraceptive implant. Chest imaging demonstrated a 4-cm linear opacity in a subsegmental branch of the pulmonary artery to the left lower lobe consistent with a migrated contraceptive implant.

A mini-thoracotomy and arteriotomy was performed. The artery was opened distally to its third division. However, it was not possible to retrieve the implant, and the decision was made to proceed to segmentectomy. After resection, it was noted that the foreign body had significantly endothelialised within the wall of the artery and required sharp dissection for removal.

This is the first case report to demonstrate the complete endothelialisation and subsequent difficulty in removal of an embolised contraceptive implant. We hope this report adds to the growing body of literature to guide management of this extremely rare but serious complication.
Radiological manifestations of chondromyxoid fibroma in the zygoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Zeinoddini Atefeh , Bezold Amy , Ezzeldin Obadah , AL Jadiry Huda
Published: May 2021

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a rare benign bone tumor of cartilaginous origin, with an extremely rare craniofacial occurrence. Considering its rarity, craniofacial CMF presents a diagnostic challenge for radiologists. To our knowledge, only seven cases of zygomatic CMF have been described in the literature, only one of which was in the paediatric age group. Furthermore, none of the currently reported cases include MRI findings of zygomatic CMF. Here, we present a paediatric case of CMF of the zygoma with a comprehensive literature review of the reported cases, focusing on their radiological features and its differential diagnosis.
In vitro comparison of high-definition US, CBCT and periapical radiography in the diagnosis of proximal and recurrent caries
Authors: Şeker Oya , Kamburoğlu Kıvanç , Şahin Cihan , Eratam Nejlan , Çakmak Esra Ece , Sönmez Gül , Özen Doğukan
Published: May 2021

Objective:

To assess the in vitro performance of high-definition (HD) US, CBCT and periapical radiography for the visibility of proximal and recurrent caries in teeth with and without restoration.

Methods:

A total of 240 molar teeth were divided into eight groups each comprised of 30 teeth. Control groups consisted of teeth without caries (Group 1–4; N = 120), whereas diseased groups consisted of teeth with proximal caries (Group 5–8; N = 120 teeth). Finally, a total of four image sets were obtained as follows: i) PSP periapical radiography, ii) CBCT 0.075 mm voxel size, iii) CBCT 0.2 mm voxel size and iv) HD US images. The image sets were viewed separately by four observers by using a 5-point confidence scale. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated. The areas under the ROC curves were compared using chi-square tests. Significance level was set at α = 0.05.

Results:

Intraobserver agreement for both readings for the four observers ranged between 0.848 and 0.988 for CBCT (0.075 mm) images; 0.658 and 0.952 for CBCT (0.2 mm) images; 0.555 and 0.810 for periapical images; 0.427 and 0.676 for US images. Highest AUC values were found for CBCT (0.075 mm) images and lowest for US images. Statistically significant differences were found among CBCT (0.075 mm) images and US images (p < 0.001), CBCT (0.2 mm) images and US images (p < 0.001) and periapical images and US images (p < 0.001) for the detection of proximal caries.

Conclusion:

Periapical and CBCT images outperformed HD US imaging in the detection of proximal dental caries.
PROJEÇÕES PARA UM MODELO DE ADJUDICAÇÃO ADMINISTRATIVA DE CONFLITOS NAS RELAÇÕES LABORAIS NO PÓS-REFORMA TRABALHISTA E PÓS-EXTINÇÃO DO MINISTÉRIO DO TRABALHO
Authors: Assumpção Luiz Felipe Monsores de
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: Com a reforma trabalhista ocorrida no Brasil em 2017 e a extinção do Ministério do Trabalho em 2019, o modelo de adjudicação administrativa de conflitos trabalhistas, denominado “Mesa-redonda”, sofreu um revés, tendo em vista a desarticulação estrutural da gestão do sistema brasileiro de relações de trabalho. O objetivo deste artigo é, justamente, examinar o atual contexto da administração estatal dos conflitos trabalhistas, especular sobre a possibilidade de reconstrução do modelo não jurisdicional de composição desses conflitos e, no limite, testar as condições para a reversão do processo de silenciamento das representações de classe, sobretudo dos sindicatos profissionais.Metodologia: Este trabalho é uma contribuição teórica, de corte interdisciplinar, que, a despeito do acento jurídico, recebe aportes da sociologia e da economia política. Aplica-se, predominantemente, o método dedutivo para a análise normativa e doutrinária, sem embargo de algumas sistematizações críticas de cenários e causalidades, nas quais se empregaram recursos da etnografia documental e da observação participante. Resultados: Confirmaram-se as premissas iniciais. A primeira, que toma a extinção do Ministério do Trabalho brasileiro como evidência da (re)colonização da ordem social pela ordem econômica, contrariando a topologia constitucional vigente. A segunda, que a reforma trabalhista de 2017 foi determinante para a estratégia de silenciamento das nossas representações operárias. A terceira, que o modelo vigente de composição público-administrativa de conflitos trabalhistas é incompatível com a atual gestão das relações de trabalho no Brasil.Contribuições: Além de trazer novos aportes para a compreensão do modelo brasileiro de mediação pública de conflitos trabalhistas (as Mesas-redondas) e da sua relação com o Sistema de Inspeção do Trabalho, este trabalho oferece lineamentos para uma reconfiguração paradigmática da gestão pública dos conflitos laborais, no âmbito do Sistema de Relações de Trabalho.
In the preparation and administration of intravenous medicines, what are the best practice standards that healthcare professionals need to follow to ensure patient safety? Protocol for a systematic review.
Authors: Carr Peter J. , O'Connor Laura , Gethin Georgina , Ivory John D. , O'Hara Paul , O'Toole Orla , Healy Patricia
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Intravenous therapy and medicines (IVTM) are the most common invasive interventions in use in healthcare. Prescribed IVTM play an essential role in the treatment of illness, management of chronic conditions and in maintaining health and wellbeing. The intravenous (IV) route is the administration of concentrated medications (diluted or undiluted) directly into peripherally or centrally inserted vascular access devices. Medication safety is a key priority and best practice standards are required to guide the safe preparation and administration of IVTM.

Methods: We will conduct a systematic review of the literature pertaining to the preparation and administration of intravenous therapy and medicines. Our search will include studies concerned with the preparation and/or administration of IVTM via peripheral or central vascular access devices. We will be guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) in this review. Literature will include all trial designs, national/international guidelines, and expert consensus opinion made available in English from 2009 to present day.

Conclusions: We will synthesise the evidence concerning safe and effective preparation and administration of intravenous therapy and medicines to inform the development of a national guideline for healthcare professionals in Ireland. The availability of up-to-date, contemporaneous evidence-based practice standards will ensure quality and safety for service-users.

Registration:  This study has been submitted to PROSPERO and we are awaiting confirmation of registration.
Study protocol for TILDA COVID-19 survey. Altered lives in a time of crisis: preparing for recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of older adults
Authors: Ward Mark , Clarke Niamh , Wang Minjuan , McGarrigle Christine A. , De Looze Céline , O’Halloran Aisling M. , Kenny Rose Anne
Published: May 2021

Background: Older adults are the most at-risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and among the most affected by measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus. While the full effect of the public health measures, such as social distancing and wearing masks in public spaces, implemented since March 2020 are not yet known, it is expected that they will have a severely damaging effect on physical and psychological wellbeing. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) has been researching the lives of older adults in Ireland since 2008 with data collection conducted at two-year intervals. With an established research infrastructure, TILDA was ideally placed to examine the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on older adults. The aim of this study is to document the lives of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand the effect of the pandemic and public health responses on their wellbeing.

Methods: Data was collected from TILDA participants via self-completion-questionnaire (SCQ). The SCQ contains ten sections that capture information on many aspects of people’s lives during the pandemic including, changes in behaviour and social interactions, physical and psychological wellbeing indicators, healthcare utilisation, and exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Ethical approval was granted by the National Research Ethics Committee (NREC).

Conclusions: Research findings will be shared in a variety of formats including research reports and briefs, presentations, and academic papers. Data will be archived in the Irish Social Science Data Archive (ISSDA) and the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). As well as documenting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults, findings from this study will provide important information to policy-makers as we respond to the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.