bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing control options for time‐series RNA sequencing experiments in nonmodel organisms: An example from grasses
Authors: Qiu Fan , Bachle Seton , Nippert Jesse B. , Ungerer Mark C.
Published: January 2020

RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) is a widely used approach to investigate gene expression and increasingly is used in time‐course studies to characterize transcriptomic changes over time. Two primary options are available as controls in time‐course experiments: samples collected at the first sampling time are used as controls (temporal control, TC) and samples collected in parallel at each individual sampling time are used as controls (biological control, BC). While both approaches are used in experimental studies, we know of no analyses performed to date that directly compare effects of control type choices on identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and subsequent functional analysis. In the current study, we compare experimental results using these different control types for time‐course RNA‐seq drought stress experiments in two wild grass species in the genus Paspalum. Our results showed BC assemblies gave a higher number of loci in both species. The number of DEGs increased with increasing stress and then decreased dramatically at the recovery time point using both control types. Expression levels of the same DEGs were highly correlated between control types in both species, ranging from r = .653 to r = .852. We also observed similar rank orders of shared enriched Gene Ontology term lists using the two different control types. Collectively, our findings suggest similar results in differential gene expression and functional annotation between control types. The ultimate choice of control type will rely on the experimental length and organism type, with labour time and sequencing costs as additional factors to be considered.
Associations of serum citrate levels with knee structural changes and cartilage enzymes in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Bian Fuqin , Ruan Guangfeng , Xu Jianhua , Wang Kang , Wu Juan , Ren Jiale , Chang Bingru , Ding Changhai
Published: January 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate cross‐sectional associations between serum levels of citrate and knee structural changes and cartilage enzymes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Method

A total of 137 subjects with symptomatic knee OA (mean age 55.0 years, range 34‐74, 84% female) were included. Knee radiography was used to assess knee osteophytes, joint space narrowing (JSN) and radiographic OA assessed by Kellgren‐Lawrence (K‐L) grading system. T2‐weighted fat‐suppressed fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine knee cartilage defects, bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) signal intensity alternations. Colorimetric fluorescence was used to measure the serum levels of citrate. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum cartilage enzymes including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3 and MMP‐13.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders (age, sex, body mass index), serum citrate was negatively associated with knee osteophytes at the femoral site, cartilage defects at medial femoral site, total cartilage defects, and total BMLs (odds ratio [OR] 0.17‐0.30, allP < .05). Meanwhile, serum citrate was negatively associated with IPFP signal intensity alteration (OR 0.30,P = .05) in multivariable analyses. Serum citrate was significantly and negatively associated with MMP‐13 (β −3106.37,P < .05) after adjustment for potential confounders. However, citrate was not significantly associated with MMP‐3 in patients with knee OA.

Conclusion

Serum citrate was negatively associated with knee structural changes including femoral osteophytes, cartilage defects, and BMLs and also serum MMP‐13 in patients with knee OA, suggesting that low serum citrate may be a potential indicator for advanced knee OA.
A loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay for the detection of Dahlia mosaic caulimovirus in Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis)
Authors: Iftikhar Romana , Moyo Lindani , Pappu Hanu R.
Published: January 2020

Dahlia mosaic virus (DMV), an aphid‐transmitted caulimovirus in the family Caulimoviridae, is an important pathogen of dahlia (Dahlia variabilis). Development of rapid, and sensitive diagnostic tools is essential in surveillance and management of DMV. A loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for DMV detection. The LAMP assay targets the reverse transcriptase region of the DMV genome and is optimal at a temperature of 60°C and run time of 60 min, and amplification was detected through fluorescence detection and by agarose gel electrophoresis. The assay detected DMV in DNA concentration as low as 10−3 ng. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a LAMP assay for the detection of DMV, a plant DNA virus. This assay will be useful in rapid and sensitive detection of DMV and in reducing the virus incidence through production of virus‐free planting material.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Adult Therapeutic Coloring for the Management of Significant Anxiety in the Emergency Department
Authors: Rajendran Naveendran , Mitra Tatum Priyambada , Shahrestani Sara , Coggins Andrew
Published: January 2020

Background

Anxiety and acute distress are significant concerns in the emergency department (ED). Adult coloring books are often utilized as an effective means of relaxation in waiting rooms and newsstands, but there are no reported randomized trials examining their effectiveness as a treatment for anxiety.

Methods

We set out to examine the effectiveness of adult coloring books using a randomized placebo‐controlled trial at a university‐affiliated tertiary ED. Anxiety was measured using a validated self‐reporting score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS‐A), with a range of 0 to 21. Patients with HADS‐A ≥ 7 were randomly assigned to either an adult coloring pack (n = 26) or placebo pack (n = 27). The primary outcome measure was the within‐patient change in HADS‐A scores following 2 hours of exposure.

Results

A convenience sample of 117 patients were screened, and 53 patients were randomized. Characteristics of allocated groups were similar in terms of sex, diagnosis, and ethnicity. A higher proportion of intervention subjects spent ≥1 hour engaged with their activity (46.2% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.01). For the primary outcome measure, the mean within‐patient decrease in HADS‐A score at 2 hours for intervention subjects was 3.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.4 to 5.1, p < 0.001) versus a decrease of 0.3 (95% CI = –0.6 to 1.2, p = 0.51) in the placebo group.

Conclusions

Among ED patients, exposure to adult coloring books resulted in lower self‐reported levels of anxiety at 2 hours compared to placebo.
Cost‐effectiveness of icotinib versus whole‐brain irradiation with or without chemotherapy in EGFR‐mutant NSCLC patients with brain metastases
Authors: Li Wenqian , Bai Rilan , Qian Lei , Chen Naifei , Zhao Yuguang , Han Fujun , Bai Ling , Li Jiaxuan , Yu Yu , Cui Jiuwei
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases (BM) have a poor prognosis. Despite the traditional methods including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) might benefit patients on survival and quality of life. We investigated the cost‐effectiveness of icotinib compared with whole‐brain irradiation (WBI) with or without chemotherapy for NSCLC patients with BM.

Materials and methods

A Markov model was conducted based on the data of BRAIN trial. We compared the economic benefit between icotinib and the combination of WBI and WBI plus chemotherapy group. We considered disease progression as intracranial progression and overall progression separately. Sensitivity analyses were performed to observe the stability of the model. The willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) was set as 3× per capita gross domestic product ($25929/quality‐adjusted life year [QALY]) from the Chinese healthcare perspective.

Results

When considering progression as intracranial progression and overall progression, respectively, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was $14 882.64/QALY and $13 484.21/QALY between icotinib and WBI/WBI‐chemotherapy. Besides, both of the average cost‐effective ratio (ACER) and net benefit showed advantage of icotinib (ACER: $34 521.42/QALY for intracranial progression and $36 562.63/QALY for overall progression; net benefit: –$8407.36 for intracranial progression and –$9836.41 for overall progression). One‐way sensitivity analyses demonstrated that no thresholds were encountered. The probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed even at a WTP under $18 000/QALY, icotinib could be cost‐effective.

Conclusion

: Icotinib was cost‐effective compared with WBI with or without chemotherapy.
Male Breast Cancer in Australia
Authors: Lomma Chris , Chan Arlene , Chih HuiJun , Reid Christopher , Peter Willsher
Published: January 2020

Aims

Male breast cancer is rare and treatment recommendations are based on female breast cancer guidelines. We analyzed an Australian dataset of patients with early breast cancer (including ductal carcinoma in situ, DCIS) for demographic, pathological and treatment information. The primary objective was to compare treatment delivery for males versus females.

Methods

Australian data from the BreastSurgANZ Quality Audit (BQA) from 1 October 2006 and 30 September 2016 were analyzed. Demographic and pathological information was obtained and compared between males and females. Treatment recommendations were compared to BreastSurgANZ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to assess for adherence to national and international guidelines, respectively.

Results

A total of 99,768 breast cancer episodes were analyzed, comprising 585 males (544 invasive; 41 DCIS) and 99 183 (99.4%) females (85 596 invasive; 13 525 DCIS; 62 unknown). Compared with females, males were older at diagnosis, more likely to be hormone receptor‐positive and lymph node‐positive disease, and more likely to have mastectomy. The proportion of males undergoing breast conserving surgery receiving radiotherapy was the only BreastSurgANZ KPI that was not met. Males were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy than females using NCCN guidelines.

Conclusion

Australian males with breast cancer account for 0.6% of breast cancer incidence and have similar clinico‐pathological features as reported internationally. Overall, there is good compliance with the surgical KPIs, and adherence to NCCN guidelines for adjuvant systemic treatment is similar to previous international studies.
Cutaneous sebaceous carcinoma
Authors: Wu Albert , Rajak Saul N , Huilgol Shyamala C , James Craig , Selva Dinesh
Published: January 2020

Cutaneous sebaceous carcinoma occurs almost exclusively on the head and neck and has a significant propensity for recurrence and metastasis. It is easily mistaken for benign conditions, resulting in inappropriate management. Thus, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion. Despite previous reports, sebaceous carcinoma may occur with similar frequency in Asians and whites. Recent genetic data suggest there are multiple mutational groups of sebaceous carcinoma, paving the way for targeted treatment. After a diagnosis, investigations for staging and for Muir–Torre syndrome should be considered. The available evidence on the treatment options for sebaceous carcinoma is discussed, and specific recommendations for management are made.
Heart disease, hospitalisation and referral: Coaching to Achieving Cardiovascular Health through cardiac rehabilitation in Queensland
Authors: Field Patricia , Franklin Richard C , Barker Ruth , Ring Ian , Leggat Peter , Canuto Karla
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To describe rates of hospitalisation and Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health referral, for Queensland's adults with heart and related disease, and comparisons between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous peoples in northern Queensland.

Design

Descriptive retrospective epidemiological study of Queensland Health Patient Admission Data Collection for adults with heart and related disease, and Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health referral data. Relative risk and age standardisation were calculated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous peoples.

Participants

Queensland's adults ≥20 years, hospitalised with heart and related disease (1 January 2012‐31 December 2016).

Setting

Queensland, Australia.

Main outcome measures

Queensland Health Hospital and Health Services’ hospitalisation and Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health referral rates for heart and related disease.

Results

Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a higher hospitalisation rate for heart and related disease, with higher rates for northern Queensland. Queensland's overall Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health referral rates were low, but higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Deficiencies in documentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's status affected results in some areas.

Conclusion

Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were more likely to be admitted to hospital for heart and related disease and referred to Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health than non‐Indigenous peoples. However, hospitalisation and Coaching on Achieving Cardiovascular Health referral rates are unlikely to reflect the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples especially in rural and very remote areas given their higher mortality and morbidity rates and fewer services.
Asclepius and Yellow Ribbon techniques: Efficacious alternative strategies for advancing a coronary sinus electrophysiology catheter
Authors: Chen Tse‐Wei , Huang Mu‐Shiang , Lu Wei‐Da , Wu Yu‐Hao , Chen Ju‐Yi
Published: January 2020

Background

Inserting an electrophysiological (EP) catheter into the coronary sinus (CS) via the femoral vein can be difficult and time‐consuming in patients with variants of the CS orifice or lumen curve. Our experience with such patients inspired us to develop two new techniques: the Asclepius and Yellow Ribbon techniques.

Methods

Data from a 4‐year period were retrieved from records of patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) or Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome. Data were analyzed to determine the success and complication rates of conventional and alternative techniques for catheter placement.

Results

The success rate of the Asclepius technique was 96.7% (30/31) and that of the Yellow Ribbon technique was 100.0% (7/7). The overall success rate of these two techniques was 97.3% (37/38).

Conclusions

With a high success rate, shorter procedure time, and no complications, the Asclepius and Yellow ribbon techniques may be safe, inexpensive, and effective alternative strategies for EP catheter placement in patients with difficult coronary sinus orifice access.
Short and long course neoadjuvant therapy compared for management of locally advanced rectal cancer: 11 years' experience at a regional centre
Authors: Ngoo Alexander G. , Tan Alexander H. M. , Mushaya Chrispen D. , Ho Yik‐Hong
Published: January 2020

Background

Rectal cancer treatment outcomes for socioeconomically disadvantaged and regional patients have been suggested to be suboptimal in Australia. We investigate outcomes at a regional tertiary centre in order to determine the prognostic impact of patient and treatment factors.

Methods

Patients who underwent short and long course neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery for stage II–III rectal cancer over an 11‐year period were identified. Results were analysed to determine oncological and surgical outcomes along with whether patient and treatment‐related variables were prognostic. Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) and Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage (IRSD) was used to determine remoteness and socioeconomic status, respectively.

Results

A total of 207 patients underwent short (n = 103, 49.8%) and long course (n = 104, 50.2%) over the time period; 81.6% (n = 169) were from outer regional, remote or very remote communities and 55.1% travelled >200 km for treatment; 57.0% were in the most disadvantaged three IRSD deciles. Five‐year cancer‐specific survival, recurrence‐free survival and local recurrence were 83.1% (n = 172), 76.3% (n = 158) and 7.3% (n = 15), respectively. Wound complications were higher in outer regional, remote or very remote patients (25.4% versus 13.2%, P = 0.03). Remoteness, socioeconomic indices, distance to treatment and neoadjuvant type were not prognostic for any other oncological or surgical outcomes on univariate or multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Despite demography suggesting geographic and socioeconomic barriers, oncological and surgical outcomes at our regional centre were comparable to international and Australian trials. Further, these factors were not prognostic. Geographically remote patient's may safely have neoadjuvant modality individualized without compromising care.
Rapid recovery following hip and knee arthroplasty using local infiltration analgesia: length of stay, rehabilitation protocol and cost savings
Authors: Nassar Islam , Fahey Julie , Mitchell David
Published: January 2020

Background

We implemented local infiltration analgesia (LIA) as a technique of providing post‐operative pain management and early mobilization after arthroplasty surgery and have progressively found patients able to go home earlier. This study compares the national data on hip and knee arthroplasty provided by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Medibank Private with our outcomes using LIA and rapid recovery.

Methods

Prospective study of one surgeon including 200 knees, and 165 hips in the two years till June 2016. Variables included in comparison to the two groups were: length of stay, percentage of patients transferred to rehabilitation or intensive care unit (ICU), readmitted within 30 days and average separation cost.

Results

Hip replacement median length of stay in our series was two nights versus five nights, inpatient rehabilitation 7% versus 36%, ICU admission zero versus 4%, and readmissions 3.9% versus 6.0%, the average hospital separation cost in our series was $17 813 versus $26 734. Knee replacement median length of stay in our study was one night versus five nights, ICU 0.5% versus 3%, rehabilitation 4.5% versus 43%, and readmission 6% versus 7%, the average hospital separation cost in our group was $16 437 versus $27 505.

Conclusion

The comprehensive approach of LIA and rapid recovery enables patients to have shorter hospitalization, lower rehabilitation incidence and a resultant reduction in health expenditure.
Cities, Racialized Poverty, and Infrastructures of Possibility
Authors: Baldwin Davarian L. , Crane Emma S.
Published: January 2020

This essay argues that the study of urban poverty is too often characterised by the disappearance of specific people and bodily politics from our analytic frames, rendering modes of life and politics illegible to scholars. We call for attention to the embodied politics of knowledge production, as neighbourhoods surrounding universities are exploited first as laboratories for poverty scholarship—exemplified in the relationship between the Chicago School’s theory of human ecology and the racialised real estate markets—and then as devalued spaces for creative industries. Following work at the intersection of urban studies and American studies, we call for a relational reading of the archives of dominant poverty scholarship, and for scholarship attentive to the body—as a knowledge project only ever partially recorded in fieldnotes or the archives—as a key site for politics.
Large granular lymphocytic leukaemia after solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Awada Hassan , Mahfouz Reda Z. , Durrani Jibran , Kishtagari Ashwin , Jagadeesh Deepa , Lichtin Alan E. , Hill Brian T. , Hamilton Betty K. , Carraway Hetty E. , Nazha Aziz , Majhail Navneet S. , Sobecks Ronald , Visconte Valeria , Kalaycio Matt , Sekeres Mikkael A. , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P.
Published: January 2020

T‐cell large granular lymphocytic leukaemia (T‐LGLL) is a chronic clonal lymphoproliferative disorder of cytotoxic T lymphocytes which commonly occurs in older patients and is often associated with autoimmune diseases. Among 246 patients with T‐LGLL seen at our institution over the last 10 years, we encountered 15 cases following solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Here, we studied the clinical characterization of these cases and compared them to de novo T‐LGLL. This experience represented a clear picture of the intricate nature of the disease manifestation and the complexities of several immune mechanisms triggering the clonal expansion.
Meeting vision needs of children with special educational needs: Case studies of the impact on behaviour and academic achievement
Authors: McKerr Lyn , McConnell Emma L. , Black Shelley A. , McClelland Julie , Little Julie A. , Saunders Kathryn J. , Dillenburger Karola
Published: January 2020

Accessible summary

Children with learning disabilities often have problems with their eyesight.

We tested the eyes of nine children and checked whether they needed glasses or bigger print.

We found that when they got what they needed to see better, their behaviour improved.

This is important because children with learning disabilities need to be able to see as well as anyone else.

Background

Children with identified special educational needs are at higher risk than other children of having visual needs that are not adequately met. This paper evaluates the impact of addressing the visual needs of these children on behaviour and academic achievements in a number of case studies.

Method

Nine children (4–11 years of age, from four classrooms), who attended a special school in a medium‐sized town in the UK, took part in the case studies reported here. The children were part of the Special Education Eyecare (SEE) Project. Six of the children were selected because they had unmet visual needs at baseline and required bespoke interventions to meet these needs; the other three children were selected because their visual needs had been met prior to the study and no further adjustments were needed. Repeated direct observations were conducted to assess the impact of the intervention on the children's behaviour in the classroom. The observer was “blind” with regard to the visual needs of the participants. Parents and teachers completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for each child, before and after the intervention. School files were analysed to assess effects on academic achievement.

Findings

Subsequent to the implementation of bespoke visual adjustments, for example prescription of spectacles or changed seating in classroom, significant and sustained changes were observed with regard to the children's behaviour (i.e., increased engagement with peers and/or teachers and decreased off‐task behaviour). Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire scores showed improvements regarding total difficulties, emotional difficulties, hyperactivity and prosocial (kind and helpful) behaviour. Due to highly variable data in school files, the effects on academic achievement were inconclusive.

Discussion

The case studies reported here explored changes in behaviour of children with identified special educational needs after their visual needs were met. Findings show a positive overall effect on the behaviour of these children.
Clinically isolated syndrome, oligoclonal bands and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Teixeira Mónica , Seabra Mafalda , Carvalho Lúcia , Sequeira Lucinda , Abreu Pedro , Mendonça Teresa , Reis Jorge , Sá Maria José , Guimarães Joana
Published: January 2020

Objective

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a first demyelinating episode targeting the central nervous system. It can later fulfill the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) or remain as a single event with no further clinical or paraclinical evidence of disease. Given the difficulty of predicting the long‐term course of the disease at the moment of the first episode, we intended to examine clinical and laboratory features associated with MS conversion, underlining the prognostic value of oligoclonal bands (OCBs) determination.

Methods

We analyzed patients with an episode compatible with CIS (not fulfilling the 2010 McDonald criteria) as the first manifestation of MS (according to the same criteria), observed in our MS clinic (n = 82).

Results

From our cohort, 76.8% of patients converted to MS. OCBs were present at baseline in 68.0% of MS patients, but also in 73.7% of stable CIS patients (P = .77). After stratification of the results by treatment, there was also no statistically significant association between the presence of OCBs and conversion to MS. Additionally, positive OCBs did not predict earlier conversion to MS.

Conclusions

Our study outlines the high prevalence of positive OCBs in patients with CIS, even in those who, until now, do not fulfill the 2010 diagnostic criteria for MS. This raises questions about the early assumption of MS diagnosis based on OCB status. A very hasty diagnosis could result in chronic treatment initiation and a possibly lifelong stigma in patients who might never develop new lesions or have a second attack.
Guidance means accuracy: A randomized clinical trial on freehand versus guided dental implantation
Authors: Varga Endre , Antal Márk , Major László , Kiscsatári Ramóna , Braunitzer Gábor , Piffkó Jozsef
Published: January 2020

Objectives

A randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare all three known static guided surgery protocols (pilot, partial, and full) with each other and with freehand surgery in terms of accuracy, under the same conditions.

Material and Methods

A total of 207 implants of the same brand and type were placed in 101 partially edentulous volunteers in need of implantation in the mandible or maxilla or both. All cases were digitally planned, and the comparison of the planned and actual implant positions was performed using a medical image analysis software with dedicated algorithms. The primary outcome variable was angular deviation (AD, degrees). The secondary outcome variables were coronal global deviation (CGD, mm), apical global deviation (AGD, mm), and voxel overlap (VO, %).

Results

AD showed stepwise improvement in significant steps as the amount of guidance increased. The highest mean AD (7.03° ± 3.44) was obtained by freehand surgery and the lowest by fully guided surgery (3.04° ± 1.51). As for the secondary outcome variables, all guided protocols turned out to be significantly superior to freehand surgery, but they were not always significantly different from each other.

Conclusions

As for the comparison that this study sought to perform, it can be said that the static guided approach significantly improves the accuracy of dental implant surgery as compared to freehand surgery. Furthermore, the results suggest that any degree of guidance yields better results than freehand surgery and that increasing the level of guidance increases accuracy.
The effect of systemic antibiotics on clinical and patient‐reported outcome measures of oral implant therapy with simultaneous guided bone regeneration
Authors: Payer Michael , Tan Wah Ching , Han Jie , Ivanovski Saso , Mattheos Nikos , Pjetursson Bjarni E. , Zhuang Longfei , Fokas George , Wong May C. M. , Acham Stephan , Lang Niklaus P. ,   the International Team for Implantology (ITI) Antibiotic Study Group
Published: January 2020

Objectives

The aim of the present superiority study was to determine the effect of systemic antibiotics primarily on patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) and post‐surgical complications in patients undergoing oral implant therapy with simultaneous guided bone regeneration (GBR).

Materials and Methods

A total of 236 medically and periodontally healthy patients received oral implants with simultaneous GBR at seven centres. Pre‐operative antibiotics of 2 g amoxicillin were prescribed to the test group 1 hr prior to surgery and 500 mg thrice daily on days 1–3 after surgery. The control group was given a placebo. Group allocation was performed randomly. Primary outcome variables were PROMs recorded as visual analogue scale scores assessed on days 1–7 and 14 on pain, swelling, haematoma and bleeding. Post‐operative complications as secondary outcome variables were examined at 1, 2, 4 and 12 weeks from surgery. Chi‐square tests and repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed for statistical evaluation.

Results

No statistically significant differences (p > .05) between the two groups were detected for the evaluated PROMs. The same was noted with respect to post‐surgical complications. Four implants were lost—three in the test group and one in the control group.

Conclusion

In this trial, systemic antibiotics did not provide additional benefits to PROMs, nor the prevention of post‐surgical complications in medically and periodontally healthy patients undergoing oral implant therapy with simultaneous GBR. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are still required to support the clinical outcomes of this study.
Knowledge of Language Transfers From Speech to Sign: Evidence From Doubling
Authors: Berent Iris , Bat‐El Outi , Brentari Diane , Platt Melanie
Published: January 2020

Does knowledge of language transfer across language modalities? For example, can speakers who have had no sign language experience spontaneously project grammatical principles of English to American Sign Language (ASL) signs? To address this question, here, we explore a grammatical illusion. Using spoken language, we first show that a single word with doubling (e.g., trafraf) can elicit conflicting linguistic responses, depending on the level of linguistic analysis (phonology vs. morphology). We next show that speakers with no command of a sign language extend these same principles to novel ASL signs. Remarkably, the morphological analysis of ASL signs depends on the morphology of participants' spoken language. Speakers of Malayalam (a language with rich reduplicative morphology) prefer XX signs when doubling signals morphological plurality, whereas no such preference is seen in speakers of Mandarin (a language with no productive plural morphology). Our conclusions open up the possibility that some linguistic principles are amodal and abstract.
Stakeholders' willingness and motivations to support sustainable water resources management: Insights from a Ghanaian study
Authors: Okumah Murat , Yeboah Ata S. , Amponsah Owusu
Published: January 2020

There is evidence that stakeholders' willingness and motivations to support sustainable river management strategies plays a crucial role in the success of water management policies. Earlier works have highlighted some of the drivers of stakeholders' willingness, however, the generalizability of much published research on this issue is problematic given that much of the research focuses on the Global North. By conducting in‐depth interviews and applying content analysis, this paper aimed at exploring stakeholders' willingness and motivations to support sustainable water resource management as well as what stakeholders would do to support sustainable management of water resources. Results show that stakeholders appear to be willing to support water protection measures due to a wide range of motivations. Therefore, policymakers may need to emphasize those motivations when encouraging the public and/or segments of the society to engage in sustainable water resource management practices.
Gender Disparities in Sentencing
Authors: Philippe Arnaud
Published: January 2020

This paper uses the universe of convictions in France between 2000 and 2003 to document the gender gap in sentencing. It reveals three main findings. First, during this period, and after controlling for very precise descriptions of the offences as well as other observable characteristics, women received prison sentences that were 15 days shorter, on average, than those of men who committed comparable offences. This represents a 33% decrease relative to the average sentence length in the sample (45 days in the entire sample). Second, this gender gap is also observed for mixed‐gender pairs of criminals (one man and one woman) who are convicted together, on the same day, by the same person and for the same crime. Finally, this paper presents robust evidence that the gender gap is affected by the gender of the judge, but not that of the prosecutor. Using the evolution of the courts’ composition between 2000 and 2003, the results show that a one‐standard‐deviation increase in the number of women in the court decreases the gender gap by 10%.
Trend Fundamentals and Exchange Rate Dynamics
Authors: Huber Florian , Kaufmann Daniel
Published: January 2020

We estimate a multivariate unobserved components stochastic volatility model to explain the dynamics of a panel of six exchange rates against the US dollar. The empirical model is based on the assumption that two countries’ monetary policy strategies may be well described by Taylor rules with a time‐varying inflation target, a time‐varying natural rate of unemployment, and interest rate smoothing. Compared to the existing literature, our model simultaneously provides estimates of the latent components included in a typical Taylor rule specification and the model‐based real exchange rate. Our estimates closely track major movements along with important time series properties of real and nominal exchange rates across all currencies considered, outperforming a benchmark model that does not account for changes in trend inflation and trend unemployment. More precisely, the proposed approach improves on competing models in tracking the actual evolution of the real exchange rate in terms of simple correlations while it appreciably improves on simpler competitors in terms of matching the persistence of the real exchange rate.
BlockU: Extended usage control in and for Blockchain
Authors: Khan Yasar , Ali Toqeer , Fariz Megat , Moreira Fernando , Branco Frederico , Martins José , Gonçalves Ramiro
Published: January 2020

An electronic business transaction among untrusted bodies without consulting a mutually trusted party has remained widely accepted problem. Blockchain resolves this problem by introducing peer‐to‐peer network with a consensus algorithm and trusted ledger. Blockchain originally introduced for cryptocurrency that came with proof‐of‐work consensus algorithm. Due to some performance issues, scientists brought concept of permissioned Blockchain. Hyperledger Fabric is a permissioned Blockchain targeting business‐oriented problems for industry. It is designed for efficient transaction execution over Blockchain with pluggable consensus model; however, there is limitation of rapid application development. Hyperledger introduced a new layer called Hyperledger Composer on top of the Fabric layer, which provides an abstract layer to model the business application readily and quickly. Composer provides a smart contract to extend the functionality and flexibility of Fabric layer and provides a way of communication with other systems to meet business requirements. Hyperledger Composer uses role‐based access control (RBAC) model to secure access to its valuable assets. However, RBAC is not enough because many business deals require continuous assets monitoring. Our proposed model, BlockU, covers all possible access control models required by a business. BlockU can monitor assets continuously during transactions and updates attributes accordingly. Moreover, we incorporate hooks in Hyperledger Composer to implement extended permission model that provides extensive permission management capability on an asset. Subsequently, our proposed enhanced access control model is implemented with a minimal change to existing Composer code base and is backward compatible with the current security mechanism.
Maternal and Paternal Attachment Style and Chaos as Risk Factors for Parenting Behavior
Authors: Zvara Bharathi J. , Lathren Christine , Mills‐Koonce Roger ,   the Family Life Project Key Contributors
Published: January 2020

Objective and Background

Household chaos and insecure parental attachment styles are associated with lower quality parenting behaviors. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding fathers' parenting behaviors, and no studies examine whether chaotic home environments moderate the attachment style–parenting behavior relationship.

Method

Using data from both mothers and fathers of 742 children (40.5% African American) living in rural, low‐resource communities, the current study examined the individual and joint effects of self‐reported adult attachment style and two domains of household chaos on observed maternal and paternal parenting behaviors during structured play with their 58‐month‐old child (49.6% female).

Results

Multivariate models revealed that even after controlling for confounders, attachment insecurity predicted lower quality parenting behavior for mothers and fathers. Further, for both mothers and fathers, the disorganized domain of household chaos, representing environments high in noise, clutter, and disorder, predicted less sensitive and more intrusive parenting behavior. Finally, for mothers with dismissive attachment styles, high levels of disorganization appeared to exacerbate caregiving difficulties; this moderating relationship was not evident for fathers.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the stress of a chronically disorganized family environment may influence the expression of mothers' insecure tendencies in the context of parenting, thereby intensifying less sensitive and more intrusive parenting behaviors.

Implications

These findings suggest that the stress of a chronically disorganized family environment may impact the expression of mothers' insecure tendencies in the context of parenting, thereby intensifying less sensitive and more intrusive parenting behaviors.
Intergenerational Economic Mobility Between Mothers and Children: Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Authors: Lee Jaewon , Sun Fei
Published: January 2020

Objectives

This study focuses on the impact of race and ethnicity on intergenerational mobility between mothers and children.

Background

Most studies have examined intergenerational mobility between fathers and their children. Racial and ethnic disparities might explain the high rates of intergenerational inequality in mobility.

Methods

The current study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 for Children and Young Adults. The two data sets were merged based on mother and child's identification number. The final sample consisted of 1,245 non‐Black/non‐Hispanic, 740 Black, and 538 Hispanic dyads. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results

There are ethnic and racial disparities in net worth and poverty among mothers. Black and Hispanic mothers were less likely to accumulate net worth compared with non‐Black/non‐Hispanic mothers, and they were also at greater risk of being in poverty compared with non‐Black/non‐Hispanic mothers. For intergenerational economic mobility, net worth and not living in poverty across mothers were associated with higher income among young adult children. Black race moderated the relationship between maternal net worth and young adult children's income.

Conclusion

A new perspective is necessary to explore intergenerational economic mobility, considering relations between mothers and children rather than fathers and children.

Implications

Eliminating discrimination in the labor market is critical to addressing racial and ethnic disparities in economic resources. Service programs to help Black women with children to save money or increase their job opportunities should be in place to improve their potential for upward economic mobility across generations.
Accounting for multiple ecosystem services in a simulation of land‐use decisions: Does it reduce tropical deforestation?
Authors: Knoke Thomas , Paul Carola , Rammig Anja , Gosling Elizabeth , Hildebrandt Patrick , Härtl Fabian , Peters Thorsten , Richter Michael , Diertl Karl‐Heinz , Castro Luz Maria , Calvas Baltazar , Ochoa Santiago , Valle‐Carrión Liz Anabelle , Hamer Ute , Tischer Alexander , Potthast Karin , Windhorst David , Homeier Jürgen , Wilcke Wolfgang , Velescu Andre , Gerique Andres , Pohle Perdita , Adams Julia , Breuer Lutz , Mosandl Reinhard , Beck Erwin , Weber Michael , Stimm Bernd , Silva Brenner , Verburg Peter H. , Bendix Jörg
Published: January 2020

Conversion of tropical forests is among the primary causes of global environmental change. The loss of their important environmental services has prompted calls to integrate ecosystem services (ES) in addition to socio‐economic objectives in decision‐making. To test the effect of accounting for both ES and socio‐economic objectives in land‐use decisions, we develop a new dynamic approach to model deforestation scenarios for tropical mountain forests. We integrate multi‐objective optimization of land allocation with an innovative approach to consider uncertainty spaces for each objective. These uncertainty spaces account for potential variability among decision‐makers, who may have different expectations about the future. When optimizing only socio‐economic objectives, the model continues the past trend in deforestation (1975–2015) in the projected land‐use allocation (2015–2070). Based on indicators for biomass production, carbon storage, climate and water regulation, and soil quality, we show that considering multiple ES in addition to the socio‐economic objectives has heterogeneous effects on land‐use allocation. It saves some natural forest if the natural forest share is below 38%, and can stop deforestation once the natural forest share drops below 10%. For landscapes with high shares of forest (38%–80% in our study), accounting for multiple ES under high uncertainty of their indicators may, however, accelerate deforestation. For such multifunctional landscapes, two main effects prevail: (a) accelerated expansion of diversified non‐natural areas to elevate the levels of the indicators and (b) increased landscape diversification to maintain multiple ES, reducing the proportion of natural forest. Only when accounting for vascular plant species richness as an explicit objective in the optimization, deforestation was consistently reduced. Aiming for multifunctional landscapes may therefore conflict with the aim of reducing deforestation, which we can quantify here for the first time. Our findings are relevant for identifying types of landscapes where this conflict may arise and to better align respective policies.
Etiology of liver dysfunction after liver transplantation in children with metabolic disorders
Authors: Irie Rie , Nakazawa Atsuko , Sakamoto Seisuke , Takeda Masahiro , Yanagi Yusuke , Shimizu Seiichi , Uchida Hajime , Fukuda Akinari , Horikawa Reiko , Kasahara Mureo
Published: January 2020

Aim

It has been reported that the long‐term outcome for children with metabolic disorders after liver transplantation (LT) is excellent. However, there are several reports citing LT patients with metabolic disorders developing liver dysfunction early after LT. We examined the pathogenesis of liver dysfunction observed after LT in recipients with metabolic disorders at the National Center for Child Health and Development.

Methods

Of 106 children (aged <18 years) with metabolic disorders who underwent LT at our center, 36 patients who underwent liver biopsy within 60 days after LT were enrolled.

The underlying diseases were urea cycle disorders (14 patients), methylmalonic acidemia (11 cases), Wilson's disease (3 patients), mitochondrial hepatopathy (3 patients), and others (5 patients). The median age was 1 year 2 months at LT. The reasons for biopsy were liver dysfunction (31 patients) and ascites (5 patients).

Results

The main findings of graft liver biopsy were diffuse steatosis (21 patients), rejection (8 patients), infection (3 patients), and others (4 patients). Of 21 patients who received graft biopsy showing steatosis, all the donor livers originally showed no steatosis or only mild steatosis. The liver function improved immediately after biopsy in 18 of 21 patients that showed diffuse steatosis.

Conclusions

The major cause of liver dysfunction after LT in recipients with metabolic disorders was steatosis and the risk of rejection was low. It is important to take a liver biopsy and examine the cause of liver dysfunction to avoid administration of excess immunosuppressant, and select the right therapy for recipients with metabolic disorders.
RENOVATIO MONETAE: WHEN GESELL TAXES WORKED
Authors: Svensson Roger , Westermark Andreas
Published: January 2020

Gesell taxes on money have recently received attention as a way of alleviating the zero lower bound on interest rates. Less known is that such taxes generated seigniorage in medieval Europe for around two centuries. When a Gesell tax was levied, current coins ceased to be legal and had to be exchanged into new coins for a fee. Using a cash‐in‐advance model, we analyze under what conditions agents exchange coins and the tax generates revenues. A low exchange fee, high punishments for using old coins, and a long time period between re‐mintings induce people to use new coins.
APPROXIMATING PURCHASE PROPENSITIES AND RESERVATION PRICES FROM BROAD CONSUMER TRACKING
Authors: Shiller Benjamin Reed
Published: January 2020

A consumer's web‐browsing history, now readily available, may be much more useful than demographics for both targeting advertisements and personalizing prices. Using a method that combines economic modeling and machine learning methods, I find a striking difference. Personalizing prices based on web‐browsing histories increases profits by 12.99%. Using demographics alone to personalize prices raises profits by only 0.25%, suggesting the percent profit gain from personalized pricing has increased 50‐fold. I then investigate whether regulations intended to prevent price gouging increase aggregate consumer surplus. Two feasible regulations considered offer at best modest improvements.