bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oversummering juvenile and adult Semipalmated sandpipers in Perú gain enough survival to compensate for foregone breeding opportunity
Authors: Tavera Eveling A. , Stauffer Glenn E. , Lank David B. , Ydenberg Ronald C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Age at maturity and the timing of first breeding are important life history traits. Most small shorebird species mature and breed as ‘yearlings’, but have lower reproductive success than adults. In some species, yearlings may defer northward migration and remain in non-breeding regions (‘oversummering’) until they reach 2 years of age. Some adults also oversummer. Oversummering would be favoured by natural selection if survival were as a result raised sufficiently to compensate for the missed breeding opportunity. Several thousand Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) spend the non-breeding period at Paracas, Perú, including individuals with long bills (likely from eastern Arctic breeding populations ~ 8000 km distant) and short bills (likely from western Arctic breeding populations, up to 11,000 km distant), with short-billed birds more likely to oversummer. We tested the prediction that oversummering birds have higher survival than migrants, and that the magnitude of this higher survival for oversummering birds is enough to compensate for their lost breeding season.

Methods

We used a Multi-State Mark-Recapture model based on 5 years of encounter data (n = 1963 marked birds, and 3229 resightings) obtained year-round at Paracas, Perú, to estimate seasonal (i.e. breeding and non-breeding) survivorship for migrant and oversummering birds. We calculated the magnitude of the oversummering survival advantage required to compensate, for both yearlings and adults, based on published measures of annual survival and reproductive success. Using bill length as a proxy for migration distance, we investigated whether migratory survival is distance-dependent.

Results

We estimate that 28% of yearlings and 19% of adults oversummer. Survival is higher for oversummering birds than for migrants, and the oversummering survival advantage is greater for adults (0.215) than for yearlings (0.140). The theoretical thresholds predicted by the size of the missed reproductive opportunity are 0.240 for adults and 0.134 for yearlings. Migratory survival decreases and the oversummering rate increases with migration distance, as assessed by culmen length.

Conclusions

Our results support the life history hypothesis that oversummering raises survival enough to compensate for the loss of a breeding opportunity. Greater migration distance lowers survival and increases the probability of oversummering.
Reptiles on the wrong track? Moving beyond traditional estimators with dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models
Authors: Silva Inês , Crane Matt , Marshall Benjamin Michael , Strine Colin Thomas
Published: October 2020

Background

Animal movement expressed through home ranges or space-use can offer insights into spatial and habitat requirements. However, different classes of estimation methods are currently instinctively applied to answer home range, space-use or movement-based research questions regardless of their widely varying outputs, directly impacting conclusions. Recent technological advances in animal tracking (GPS and satellite tags), have enabled new methods to quantify animal space-use and movement pathways, but so far have primarily targeted mammal and avian species.

Methods

Most reptile spatial ecology studies only make use of two older home range estimation methods: Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP) and Kernel Density Estimators (KDE), particularly with the Least Squares Cross Validation (LSCV) and reference (href) bandwidth selection algorithms. These methods are frequently applied to answer space-use and movement-based questions. Reptile movement patterns are unique (e.g., low movement frequency, long stop-over periods), prompting investigation into whether newer movement-based methods –such as dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models (dBBMMs)– apply to Very High Frequency (VHF) radio-telemetry tracking data. We simulated movement data for three archetypical reptile species: a highly mobile active hunter, an ambush predator with long-distance moves and long-term sheltering periods, and an ambush predator with short-distance moves and short-term sheltering periods. We compared traditionally used estimators, MCP and KDE, with dBBMMs, across eight feasible VHF field sampling regimes for reptiles, varying from one data point every four daylight hours, to once per month.

Results

Although originally designed for GPS tracking studies, dBBMMs outperformed MCPs and KDE href across all tracking regimes in accurately revealing movement pathways, with only KDE LSCV performing comparably at some higher frequency sampling regimes. However, the LSCV algorithm failed to converge with these high-frequency regimes due to high site fidelity, and was unstable across sampling regimes, making its use problematic for species exhibiting long-term sheltering behaviours. We found that dBBMMs minimized the effect of individual variation, maintained low error rates balanced between omission (false negative) and commission (false positive), and performed comparatively well even under low frequency sampling regimes (e.g., once a month).

Conclusions

We recommend dBBMMs as a valuable alternative to MCP and KDE methods for reptile VHF telemetry data, for research questions associated with space-use and movement behaviours within the study period: they work under contemporary tracking protocols and provide more stable estimates. We demonstrate for the first time that dBBMMs can be applied confidently to low-resolution tracking data, while improving comparisons across regimes, individuals, and species.
Hybrid technique of virtual-assisted lung mapping and systemic indocyanine green injection for extended segmentectomy
Authors: Yanagiya Masahiro , Hiyama Noriko , Matsumoto Jun
Published: October 2020

Background

Various approaches have been used to assist and facilitate segmentectomy with favorable oncological outcomes. We describe a hybrid approach comprising virtual-assisted lung mapping (VAL-MAP), which is a preoperative bronchoscopic dye-marking technique, combined with systemic indocyanine green (ICG) injection.

Clinical presentation

An asymptomatic 64-year-old man was referred to our department because of a lung nodule detected during his annual medical checkup. The chest computed-tomography image revealed a 16-mm, partly solid, ground-glass nodule in the left segment 4. Because the nodule was hardly palpable and deeply located between the left upper division segment and the left lingular segment, we performed VAL-MAP to facilitate extended left lingulectomy. Five dye markings were undertaken preoperatively. Surgery to remove the nodule was then conducted via complete three-port video-assisted thoracic surgery. The VAL-MAP markings were easily identified intraoperatively and helped locate the nodule. The intersegmental plane was identified by the ICG injection. The resection line was determined based on the intersegmental plane identified by the ICG injection and the site of the nodule suggested by the VAL-MAP markings. Following the resection line, we thoracoscopically achieved extended lingulectomy with sufficient surgical margins. The patient was discharged with no complications. The pathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma in situ.

Conclusion

The hybrid technique of VAL-MAP and systemic ICG injection can be useful for accomplishing successful extended segmentectomy.
Correction to: Quantifying the Collision Dose in Rugby League: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Critical Analysis
Authors: Naughton Mitchell , Jones Ben , Hendricks Sharief , King Doug , Murphy Aron , Cummins Cloe
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Microbacterium sp. MRS-1, a potential bacterium for cobalt reduction and synthesis of less/non-toxic cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4)
Authors: Sundararaju Sathyavathi , Arumugam Manjula , Bhuyar Prakash
Published: October 2020

Background

Detoxification of heavy metal pollutants in wastewater has become a serious problem to surrounding environment. This research was conducted to utilize a potential heavy metal-resistant bacterium for the remediation of cobalt metal and simultaneous synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles in the form of powder for various industrial applications. Metal oxide nanoparticles have great applications in electrochemical devices such as supercapacitors, biosensors, and batteries.

Method

A heavy metal-resistant bacterium Microbacterium sp. MRS-1 isolated from electroplating industrial effluent reduced cobalt ions from an initial concentration of 200 mg/L to 26 mg/L were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Instrumental analysis of bacterially synthesized Co3O4 has been characterized. Cytotoxicity of synthesized nanoparticles was assessed by MTT assay.

Results

Microbacterium sp. MRS-1 isolated from electroplating industrial effluent was found to be suitable for cobalt oxide nanoparticles as it showed tolerance towards high concentration of metal. The nutrient broth containing metal solution and Microbacterium sp. MRS-1 showed color change from light pink to dark pink indicated the formation of extracellular nanoparticles. It also converted soluble cobalt salts into less soluble cobalt oxide nanoparticles outside the cell which allows easy recovery of nanoparticles without the destruction of cells and simultaneous detoxification of toxic metal ions. Electron microscopic imaging verified that nanoparticles were predominantly surrounding the bacterial cells and SEM imaging revealed that the produced particles were in the range of 10–100 nm in size. XRD spectrum exhibited 2θ values were corresponding to cubic face-centered cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles.

Conclusion

The present study investigated new prospective for eco-friendly detoxification of toxic heavy metal Co from metal-polluted sites and the production of cobalt oxide nanoparticles in powder form for clinical and other industrial applications.
The pattern of thyroiditis in multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in Egypt
Authors: Rashad Nearmeen M. , Amer Marwa G. , Reda Ashour Waleed M. , Hassanin Hassan M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with varied clinical features. Disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) of MS associated with different types of thyroiditis. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in MS and to investigate the association between DMDs and the risk of thyroiditis in MS. A cross-sectional study included 100 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in relapse, and the diagnosed was according to revised McDonald’s criteria 2010.

Results

Our results revealed that the prevalence of thyroiditis was 40%; autoimmune (34%) and infective (6%) among patients with RRMS in relapse and cerebellar symptoms were significantly higher in patients with thyroiditis compared to patients without thyroiditis. Regarding the association between DMDs and thyroiditis, the prevalence of patients treated with interferon-beta-1b was higher in MS patients with thyroiditis compared to MS patients without thyroiditis. However, the prevalence of patients treated with interferon-beta-1a was lower in MS patients with thyroiditis compared to MS patients without thyroiditis. In addition, we found CMV infection was more common in patients treated by interferon beta-1b and candida infection was common in patients treated by fingolimod.

Conclusions

Thyroiditis is commonly observed in patients with RRMS in relapse and higher prevalence of patients treated with interferon-beta-1b which is commonly associated with thyroiditis and CMV infection; however, candida thyroid infection was common in MS patients treated by fingolimod.
Elicitation of Health Utilities in Oncology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Iskedjian Michael , De Vol Edward , Elshenawy Mahmoud , Bazarbashi Shouki
Published: October 2020

PURPOSE

Health utilities (HUs) are quantitative measures of quality of life that are used to derive outcomes such as quality-adjusted life years in cost-effectiveness analyses. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there are no HUs for cancer. This study aimed to generate HU estimates for various health states associated with cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Adult citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, patients with cancer, and patients without cancer were recruited to participate in an online version of the Time Trade-Off (TTO) survey, a direct method that asks participants to indicate the amount of time they are willing to trade off in return for full health. The time horizon was 10 years. Patients were surveyed on their own health state; patients without cancer were presented with a scenario describing stage III colon cancer and were asked to act as proxies.

RESULTS

Mean HU score was 0.398 (n = 398), 0.315 for patients with cancer (n = 199), and 0.482 for patients without cancer (n = 199). Among patients, the largest subgroup with colorectal cancer (n = 105), had a mean HU of 0.296; the subgroup with the lowest mean HU was patients with hepatocellular cancer (n = 3; 0.047), and the subgroup with the highest mean HU was patients with cholangiocarcinoma (n = 5; 0.508). Overall, the initial stage I subgroup (n = 7) had a mean HU of 0.456; initial stage II (n = 25), 0.240; stage II (n = 67), 0.319; and initial stage IV (n = 77), 0.320.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study of this size to elicit HU scores for cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Patients may have had clinically worse disease than the patients in the scenario that was presented to patients without cancer. Further analyses are warranted for specific types of cancer. These HUs can in turn be applied in cost-utility analyses.
Molecular Drivers of Oncotype DX, Prosigna, EndoPredict, and the Breast Cancer Index: A TransATAC Study
Authors: Buus Richard , Sestak Ivana , Kronenwett Ralf , Ferree Sean , Schnabel Catherine A. , Baehner Frederick L. , Mallon Elizabeth A. , Cuzick Jack , Dowsett Mitch
Published: October 2020

PURPOSE

The Onco type DX Recurrence Score (RS), Prosigna Prediction Analysis of Microarray 50 (PAM50) Risk of Recurrence (ROR), EndoPredict (EP), and Breast Cancer Index (BCI) are used clinically for estimating risk of distant recurrence for patients receiving endocrine therapy. Discordances in estimates occur between them. We aimed to identify the molecular features that drive the tests and lead to these differences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Analyses for RS, ROR, EP, and BCI were conducted by the manufacturers in the TransATAC sample collection that consisted of the tamoxifen or anastrozole arms of the ATAC trial. Estrogen receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–negative cases without chemotherapy treatment were included in which all four tests were available (n = 785). Clinicopathologic features included in some tests were excluded from the comparisons. Estrogen, proliferation, invasion, and HER2 module scores from RS were used to characterize the respective molecular features. Spearman correlation and analysis of variance tests were applied.

RESULTS

There were moderate to strong correlations among the four molecular scores (ρ = 0.63-0.74) except for RS versus ROR (ρ = 0.32) and RS versus BCI (ρ = 0.35). RS had strong negative correlation with its estrogen module (ρ = −0.79) and moderate positive correlation with its proliferation module (ρ = 0.36). RS’s proliferation module explained 72.5% of ROR’s variance, while the estrogen module explained only 0.6%. Most of EP’s and BCI’s variation was accounted for by the proliferation module (50.0% and 54.3%, respectively) and much less by the estrogen module (20.2% and 2.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In contrast to common understanding, RSs are determined more strongly by estrogen-related features and only weakly by proliferation markers. However, the EP, BCI, and particularly ROR scores are determined largely by proliferative features. These relationships help to explain the differences in the prognostic performance of the tests.
Weight Gain After Thyroidectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Huynh Christine N , Pearce Janina V , Kang Le , Celi Francesco S
Published: October 2020

Context

Weight gain is a major driver of dissatisfaction and decreased quality of life in patients with hypothyroidism. Data on the changes in body weight following thyroidectomy are conflicting.

Objective

To perform a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of weight changes following total thyroidectomy.

Data Sources

Literature search on PubMed.

Study Selection

Studies in English published between September 1998 and May 2018 reporting post-thyroidectomy weight changes.

Data extraction

Data were reviewed and compared by 3 investigators; discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Meta-analyses were performed using fixed and random effect models. Univariable and multivariable meta-regression models for weight change were implemented against study follow-up, gender, and age. Exploratory subgroup analyses were performed for indication for surgery.

Data Synthesis

Seventeen studies (3164 patients) with 23.8 ± 23.6 months follow-up were included. Severe heterogeneity across studies was observed. Using a random effect model, the estimated overall weight change was a gain of 2.13 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI; 0.95, 3.30). Age was negatively associated with weight change (β = -0.238, P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, weight gain was more evident in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism: 5.19 kg, 95% CI (3.21, 7.17) vs goiter or malignancy 1.55 kg, 95% CI (0.82, 2.27) and 1.30 kg, 95% CI (0.45, 2.15), respectively.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing thyroidectomy experience possible mild weight gain, particularly younger individuals and those with hyperthyroidism as the indication for surgery. Prospective studies directed to assess the pathophysiology of weight gain post-thyroidectomy, and to test novel treatment modalities, are needed to better characterize post-thyroidectomy weight changes.
Inactivation of a Frameshift TSH Receptor Variant Val711Phefs*18 is Due to Acquisition of a Hydrophobic Degron
Authors: Sugisawa Chiho , Ono Makoto , Kashimada Kenichi , Hasegawa Tomonobu , Narumi Satoshi
Published: October 2020

Context

Inactivating variants of thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSH) receptor (TSHR) cause congenital hypothyroidism. More than 60 such variants have been reported so far, most of which were located in the extracellular or transmembrane domain.

Objective

We report the identification and characterization of a frameshift TSHR variant in the intracytoplasmic C-tail region.

Methods

Sequencing of TSHR was performed in a patient with congenital hypothyroidism. The functionality of the identified variants was assessed by expressing TSHR in HEK293 cells and measuring TSH-dependent activation of the cAMP–response element-luciferase reporter. A series of systematic mutagenesis experiments were performed to characterize the frameshifted amino acid sequence.

Results

The proband was heterozygous for a known TSHR variant (p.Arg519His) and a novel frameshift TSHR variant (p.Val711Phefs*18), which removed 54 C-terminal residues and added a 17–amino acid frameshifted sequence. The loss of function of Val711Phefs*18-TSHR was confirmed in vitro, but the function of Val711*-TSHR was found to be normal. Western blotting showed the low protein expression of Val711Phefs*18-TSHR. Fusion of the frameshift sequence to green fluorescent protein or luciferase induced inactivation of them, indicating that the sequence acted as a degron. A systematic mutagenesis study revealed that the density of hydrophobic residues in the frameshift sequence determined the stability. Eight additional frameshift TSHR variants that covered all possible shifted frames in C-tail were created, and another frameshift variant (Thr748Profs*27) with similar effect was found.

Conclusions

We characterized a naturally occurring frameshift TSHR variant located in C-tail, and provided a unique evidence that hydrophobicity in the C-terminal region of the receptor affects protein stability.
Borders and the Global North Atlantic
Authors: Otaño Gracia Nahir I.
Published: October 2020

The representation of Africa and Iberia within the North Atlantic imaginary tends to highlight similar features—commodity and trade, the pilgrimage routes to Alexandria and Santiago de Compostela, crusading in Africa or Iberia, Africa and Iberia as Muslim territories, and Africa and Iberia as the borderlands of Europe. Although Chaucer’s textual corpus touches on all the above features, this essay traces the ways that Chaucer interrelates the territories of Africa and Iberia with the borders of Europe. Chaucer subscribes to the attitude that Africa, similar to the East and Al-Andalus, was meant for Christian domination and economic looting.
Émile Mâle and Premodern Pleasures
Authors: McCannon Afrodesia
Published: October 2020

For many European nations, the Middle Ages became the site of their national origins. However, in scholarship of the same era, the period has been subject to infantilizing defamation and dismissal, even by those who claimed to be medievalists. Studies of medieval art and literature, discussion of medieval music, historiography about the period, and so on have assessed the Middle Ages as a time of naïveté, superstition, and violence by individuals who were not fully formed. To this day, the term medieval carries the derogatory connotation of “primitive.” This language is strikingly similar to discourse about colonized and other peoples who were contemporary with the researchers of the period. Focusing on a luminary scholar of the Middle Ages, the art historian Émile Mâle, this essay explores the link between the study of the medieval sense of beauty and the discourse concerning the aesthetics of the art of colonized and indigenous peoples to consider a particular dynamic of European identity formation around the turn of the twentieth century. It argues that the medieval self, pushed away by the teleological model of history, pulled in by nationalism, ruptures and leads to recognition of an unstable European identity.
Unsettling Comparisons
Authors: Sweany Erin E.
Published: October 2020

While many areas of scholarship are already well into critical examinations of their global turns, one area that is not is the study of early medieval medicine. The number of global comparative approaches for this corpus are few and limited in scope, but this is an ideal time to consider the ethics of how scholars deploy comparisons between the medicine of early medieval England and other medicines, particularly those of American Indigenous peoples. This article argues for ethical comparative approaches between medieval medical corpora and the cultures and archives of American Indigenous peoples and for using decolonial and comparative considerations to guide the future of a scholarship whose framework is increasingly global.
Indigenous Futures and Medieval Pasts
Authors: Andrews Tarren , Cleaves Wallace
Published: October 2020

In this interview Bitterroot Salish medievalist Tarren Andrews and Tongva medievalist Wallace Cleaves discuss the past, present, and future of medieval studies. Their conversation focuses on what it means and has meant to be a Native American scholar in the field of medieval studies, their hope and concerns for the Indigenous turn, and what interested them in medieval studies to begin with. Most important, Andrews and Cleaves discuss how their Native communities impact their medieval scholarship.
The relationship between longevity and diet is genotype dependent and sensitive to desiccation inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: McCracken Andrew W. , Buckle Eleanor , Simons Mirre J. P.
Published: October 2020

Dietary restriction (DR) is a key focus in ageing research. Specific conditions and genotypes were recently found to negate lifespan extension by DR, questioning its universal relevance. However, the concept of dietary reaction norms explains why DR's effects might be obscured in some situations. We tested the importance of dietary reaction norms by measuring longevity and fecundity on five diets in five genotypes, with and without water supplementation in female Drosophila melanogaster (N>25,000). We found substantial genetic variation in the response of lifespan to diet. Flies supplemented with water rescued putative desiccation stress at the richest diets, suggesting water availability can be an experimental confound. Fecundity declined at these richest diets, but was unaffected by water, and this reduction is thus most likely caused by nutritional toxicity. Our results demonstrate empirically that a range of diets need to be considered to conclude an absence of the DR longevity effect.
Very Slow Phase Transition from the Liquid to Mesophase and Phase-Coexistence in the Ionic Liquid [C8mim]BF4
Authors: Watanabe Keisuke , Komai Tomomi
Published: October 2020

The room temperature ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, abbreviated as [C8mim]BF4, has been known as a good glass-former, which can be cooled or heated at normal scanning rates without any phase transition. However, after cooling to 183 K, just below the glass transition temperature, 190 K, followed by heating to 223 K, Tg + 33 K, a novel phase transition from the supercooled liquid to a partially ordered phase was observed by X-ray diffractometry during a slow isothermal annealing at that temperature. The XRD profiles showed that the ordered phase is not crystal, but a smectic-A phase of a bilayer structure as seen in typical lamellar phases of surfactant solutions or lipid polymers. It is remarkable that the liquid phase still remains even after the existence of the ordered SmA phase for more than 90 hours, which is supposed to be the coexistence, or partial ordering, of the liquid and liquid crystalline. This cannot be seen in conventional one-component systems, such as ordinary molecular liquids. The ionic liquid structure is expected to be very stable due to the original mesoscopic order, which is predicted by MD simulation, Raman spectroscopy and neutron scattering.
Bright Solvent Sensor Using an Inverse Opal Structure Containing Melanin-mimicking Polydopamine
Authors: Kohri Michinari , Kobayashi Akari , Okoshi Taku , Shirasawa Hiroki , Hirai Keita , Ujiie Kazuya , Kojima Takashi , Kishikawa Keiki
Published: October 2020

An inverse opal structure was created using artificial melanin particles composed of a polystyrene core and a polydopamine shell as the template. The melanin-mimicking polydopamine that remained inside the inverse opal structure effectively absorbed multiple scattered light, producing bright structural color that was reversibly changed by solvent penetration.
Testable Implications of Models of Intertemporal Choice: Exponential Discounting and Its Generalizations
Authors: Echenique Federico , Imai Taisuke , Saito Kota
Published: October 2020

We present revealed-preference characterizations of the most common models of intertemporal choice: the model of exponentially discounted concave utility, and some of its generalizations. Our characterizations take consumption data as primitives, and provide nonparametric revealed-preference tests. We apply our tests to data from two recent experiments and find that our axiomatization delivers new insights and perspectives on datasets that had been analyzed by traditional parametric methods. (JEL C91, D11, D15)
Informational Cycles in Search Markets
Authors: Mauring Eeva
Published: October 2020

I show that market participants’ equilibrium beliefs can create fluctuations in the volume of trading, even in a stationary environment. I study a sequential search model where buyers face an unknown distribution of offers. Each buyer learns about the distribution by observing whether a randomly chosen buyer traded yesterday. A cyclical equilibrium exists where the informational content of observing a trade fluctuates, which leads to fluctuations in the volume of trading. The cyclical equilibrium is more efficient than steady-state equilibria. The efficiency result holds also if buyers get a signal about past transaction prices or past trading volumes. (JEL D82, D83)
Designing Dynamic Research Contests
Authors: Benkert Jean-Michel , Letina Igor
Published: October 2020

This paper studies the optimal design of dynamic research contests. We introduce interim transfers, which are paid in every period while the contest is ongoing, to an otherwise standard setting. We show that a contest where (i) the principal can stop the contest in any period, (ii) a constant interim transfer is paid to agents in each period while the contest is ongoing, and (iii) a final prize is paid once the principal stops the contest, is optimal for the principal and implements the first-best. (JEL D82, O32)
Laboratory-based dried blood spot testing for hepatitis C: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Carty Paul G. , McCarthy Michael , O’Neill Sinead , Harrington Patricia , O’Neill Michelle , Teljeur Conor , Smith Susan M. , Ryan Máirín
Published: October 2020

Background: Diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection typically involves collection of venous blood samples prior to serological investigation of an antibody response followed by a confirmatory viral load or antigen test to verify active HCV infection. This conventional pathway poses logistical challenges for the implementation of reflex testing, whereby the confirmatory test is performed on the same sample used for serological investigation. Dried blood spot (DBS) testing, in which capillary blood is deposited on filter paper, is a less invasive alternative that can enable reflex testing without the need for venepuncture, centrifugation and freezing of samples.

Methods: This systematic review aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of DBS compared with venous blood samples for diagnosis of chronic HCV infection. Observational studies which compare diagnostic tests using DBS with those using serum, plasma or whole blood in patients with chronic or resolved HCV infection will be included. Electronic searches will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs and the Cochrane library. Citation screening, data extraction and quality appraisal of included studies will be performed in duplicate using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. A meta-analysis will be conducted to derive pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression will also be performed. Quality of the evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE criteria.

Discussion: Identifying and linking people with currently undiagnosed chronic HCV infection to care is pivotal to attaining global viral hepatitis elimination targets. The use of DBS could simplify diagnostic testing strategies by integrating reflex testing into the care pathway and reducing drop-off along the cascade of care.

Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42020205204. Registered 19th September 2020.
Microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems: A case study from Turkey
Authors: Erdogan Seyda
Published: October 2020

Microplastic pollution has increased rapidly over recent decades and accepted as an emerging thread. However, the effects and dimensions of microplastic pollution on aquatic ecosystems have not been fully understood yet. Most of these few studies have been carried out in marine ecosystems and the number of studies on freshwater are very limited. In this study, microplastic (<5 mm) pollution level of surface water samples taken from Cevdet Pond (Yozgat/Turkey) was investigated. Water samples (150 L) were taken from 5 stations and microplastic particles were extracted via density separation method. Random particles were examined both visually and spectrophotometrically (µ-Raman). According to station averages, there were 233 microplastic particles in 1 m3 of the pond water. Highest number of MP particles observed in 100-250 µm (56%) size class. Most abundant microplastic type and colour are fiber (91%) and blue (36%) respectively. Polypropylene (50%) and polyethylene (40%) were the most abundant type of polymers according to µ-Raman analysis. The presence of microplastic pollution in an area where human impact is relatively low, indicates the prevalence of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
Evaluation of metal levels of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris): health risks estimation
Authors: Kosker Ali Rıza
Published: October 2020

The levels of 13 different metals (Mg, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Al, Cr, As, Cd and Pb) in mantle and arm tissues of Octopus vulgaris species, which were caught from Mersin Bay in winter, spring and summer seasons, were determined. The results were compared between the tissues and seasons. Potential health risks of consumption of common octopus, which is an economically important species, were evaluated with the possibility that adult and child consumers will consume common octopus 1, 3 or 5 days a week. In this context, Estimated Weekly Intake Level (EWI), non-carcinogenic Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Lifetime Carcinogenic Risk (CR) were determined. Pb level was found to be above the limit level determined by FAO, EU and Turkish Food Codex. EWI values were found to be below the PTWI values determined by EFSA and FAO / WHO. THQ and ∑THQ values, which are indicative of non-cancer health risks for consumers, were determined as <1. In terms of carcinogenic risk, it was determined that these values (> 10-5) for As, Cr and Cd elements pose a carcinogenic risk to the consumer, but Pb values do not pose a risk.
Analysis of the third generation buy-back program for fishing vessels in Turkey
Authors: Ünal Vahdet , Göncüoglu-Bodur Huriye
Published: October 2020

The third buy-back program in Turkey entered into force in 2014 with the Notice No. 29023 of the Official Gazette titled “Notice of Agricultural Support-Official Notice of Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels”, issued by the Directorate of Fishery and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This study is an evaluation of the third generation of the program. In this study, simple random sampling method was used to interview 89 vessel owners out of a total number of 191 vessels which are longer than 10 meters. The biggest number of buy-backs was in Marmara Region (38%), followed by the Agean (15%) and the Mediterranean (15%) regions. Most of the decommissioned vessels were 10-12 meters in length. The only fisher that benefited from the program was the owner of a vessel longer than 31 meters. The remaining 9 vessels were longer than 12 meters and shorter than 23 meters. In the scope of the program, 95% of the buy-back vessels are in the small-scale category. Among those, 41% of the vessels were in use for 3-90 days, while 4% had never been used within the year 2015. However, 60% of the owners who handed over their vessels also owned a second boat. Although 85% of the fishers employed a crew on-board and 73% of their crew were not family members, the fact that the program lacks a component for the crew can also be criticised. In conclusion; the third generation buy-back program bought a total of 191 vessels for 22.5 Million Turkish Liras ($8.3M US). However, since 77% of the interviewees continued fishing with their second boat and 26% bought a new boat with the support they were granted. Therefore all details of the results and the success of the buy-back programs should be evaluated by the authorities and future programs should be put into practice with necessary amendments.
Some population parameters of Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz, 1865 (Ctenophora: Lobata) in Sinop coasts of the Black Sea
Authors: Birinci Özdemir Zekiye , Erdem Yakup , Bat Levent
Published: October 2020

Some population parameters of gelatinous macrozooplankton species, Mnemiopsis leidyi, were studied in the present study carried out from January 2008 to December 2008 along the coasts of Sinop in the Black Sea. A total of 980 M. leidyi specimens were measured and weighed. The estimated average length and weight of the species were 3.2±0.060 cm and 7.3±0.250 g, respectively. The observed maximum and minimum lengths were 10.8 cm and 0.2 cm. The maximum and minimum weights measured were 63 g and 0.1 g. The length-weight relationship equation for M. leidyi was determined to be W = 0.7905L1.6406.
Occurrence of lionfish, Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) in the coast of Aegean Sea (Turkey): The northernmost dispersal record
Authors: Özgül Aytaç
Published: October 2020

Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) is one of the worst aquatic invaders in history and its rapid dispersal in the Mediterranean Sea raise serious concerns for local communities. On August 2019, one specimen was caught by spear-fisher at depths of 15 m in Kokar Bay of Aegean Sea, Turkey. This occurrence represents the northernmost record of the species in the Aegean Sea.
Una herramienta tangible para facilitar procesos de diseño
y análisis didáctico: Traducción y adaptación
transcultural del Toolkit ACAD
Authors: Goodyear Peter , Carvalho Lucila , Yeoman Pippa , Castañeda Linda , Adell Jordi
Published: October 2020

Desde la perspectiva de la innovación educativa, el diseño didáctico es una de las tareas docentes más importantes y
complejas a las que se enfrentan habitualmente y en todos los niveles educativos personas con y sin formación pedagógica
previa. El marco y el Toolkit ACAD (por sus siglas en inglés Activity-Centred Analysis and Design) fueron creados en el ámbito
anglosajón para facilitar los procesos de discusión que fundamentan esos procesos de diseño y análisis didáctico.
Este artículo presenta el proceso de traducción y adaptación transcultural del Toolkit ACAD al castellano. El proceso se ha
realizado en dos fases: una doble ronda de traducción y una fase piloto realizada en cinco seminarios con profesionales de
diversos contextos y grado de experiencia profesional, en dos países. El resultado es una versión completa del Toolkit ACAD
(lienzo de trabajo y tarjetas), además de sugerentes conclusiones fruto de las discusiones de los seminarios.
Cidades Intermediárias e Ordenação Sistêmica da Paisagem: alternativas para um planejamento urbano renovado
Authors: H. Tardin-Coelho Raquel , L. Motta Maia Juliana
Published: October 2020

O crescimento acelerado das cidades latino-americanas na atualidade traz consigo padrões in­sustentáveis de urbanização que tendem a conformar uma realidade fragmentária em relação às dinâmicas essenciais na composição da paisagem urbana –biofísicas, urbanas e socioculturais–. Isso é observado em ciudades intermediárias (cimes) latino-americanas, sobretudo com atenção a modelos de crescimento urbano extensivos e pouco controlados. Observa-se também a falta de uma visão holística sobre elas, a existência de espaços livres de ocupação urbana de grandes dimensões, esperando uma possível próxima ocupação, e a não consideração das mesmas como sistemas. Esses fatos demonstram a urgência em se pensar alternativas para o planejamento urbano dessas cidades. Diante desses desafios, o artigo busca: 1) aprofundar a abordagem de princípios, estratégias e diretrizes de atuação para a Ordenação Sistêmica da Paisagem (osp), relativa aos sistemas biofísico, sociocultural e urbano, a partir de um sistema de espaços livres como reestruturador da futura ocupação urbana; e 2) apontar desafios e oportunidades para a aplicação prática de tais princípios, estratégias e diretrizes de atuação no planejamento de cimes latino-americanas, como alternativas para a concepção de um planejamento urbano renovado.
Impact of Political Television Advertisements on Viewers’ Response to Subsequent Advertisements
Authors: Fossen Beth L. , Mallapragada Girish , De Anwesha
Published: October 2020

We investigate how political ads on television impact how viewers respond to subsequent nonpolitical ads.
Pain scores in torus fractures
Authors: Widnall James , Capstick Thomas , Wijesekera Maheshi , Messahel Shrouk , Perry Daniel C.
Published: October 2020

Aims

This study sought to estimate the clinical outcomes and describe the nationwide variation in practice, as part of the feasibility workup for a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended randomized clinical trial to determine the optimal treatment of torus fractures of the distal radius in children.

Methods

Prospective data collection on torus fractures presenting to our emergency department. Patient consent and study information, including a copy of the Wong-Baker Faces pain score, was issued at the first patient contact. An automated text message service recorded pain scores at days 0, 3, 7, 21, and 42 postinjury. A cross-sectional survey of current accident and emergency practice in the UK was also undertaken to gauge current practice following the publication of NICE guidance.

Results

In all, 30 patients with a mean age of 8.9 years were enrolled over a six-week period. Of the 150 potential data points, data was captured in 146, making the data 97.3% complete. Pain scores were recorded at day 0 (mean 6.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.7 to 7.3)), day 3 (4.4 (95% CI 3.5 to 5.2)), day 7 (3.0 (95% CI 2.3 to 3.6)), day 21 (1.2 (95% CI 0.7 to 1.7)) and day 42 (0.4 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.7)). Of the 100 units who participated in the nationwide survey, 38% were unaware of any local or national protocols regarding torus fractures, 41% treated torus fractures with cast immobilization, and over 60% of patients had follow-up arranged, both contradictory to national guidelines.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated the severity, recovery trajectory, and variation in pain scores among children with torus fractures. We demonstrate excellent follow-up of patient outcomes using text messages. Despite national guidelines, there is significant variation in practice. This data directly informed the development of an ongoing nationwide randomized clinical trial – the FORearm Fracture Recovery in Children Evaluation (FORCE) study.
Revision total knee arthroplasty versus primary total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Stirling Paul , Middleton Scott D. , Brenkel Ivan J. , Walmsley Phil J.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The primary aim of this study was to describe a baseline comparison of early knee-specific functional outcomes following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using metaphyseal sleeves with a matched cohort of patients undergoing primary TKA. The secondary aim was to compare incidence of complications and length of stay (LOS) between the two groups.

Methods

Patients undergoing revision TKA for all diagnoses between 2009 and 2016 had patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) collected prospectively. PROMs consisted of the American Knee Society Score (AKSS) and Short-Form 12 (SF-12). The study cohort was identified retrospectively and demographics were collected. The cohort was matched to a control group of patients undergoing primary TKA.

Results

Overall, 72 patients underwent revision TKA and were matched with 72 primary TKAs with a mean follow-up of 57 months (standard deviation (SD) 20 months). The only significant difference in postoperative PROMs was a worse AKSS pain score in the revision group (36 vs 44, p = 0.002); however, these patients still produced an improvement in the pain score. There was no significant difference in improvement of AKSS or SF-12 between the two groups. LOS (9.3 days vs 4.6 days) and operation time (1 hour 56 minutes vs 1 hour 7 minutes) were significantly higher in the revision group (p < 0.001). Patients undergoing revision were significantly more likely to require intraoperative lateral release and postoperative urinary catheterisation (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This matched-cohort study provides results of revision TKA using modern techniques and implants and outlines what results patients can expect to achieve using primary TKA as a control. This should be useful to clinicians counselling patients for revision TKA.
Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing the modified Dunn procedure for slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Authors: Passaplan Caroline , Gautier Lucienne , Gautier Emanuel
Published: October 2020

Aims

Our retrospective analysis reports the outcome of patients operated for slipped capital femoral epiphysis using the modified Dunn procedure. Results, complications, and the need for revision surgery are compared with the recent literature.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 17 patients (18 hips) who underwent the modified Dunn procedure for the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Outcome measurement included standardized scores. Clinical assessment included ambulation, leg length discrepancy, and hip mobility. Radiographically, the quality of epiphyseal reduction was evaluated using the Southwick and Alpha-angles. Avascular necrosis, heterotopic ossifications, and osteoarthritis were documented at follow-up.

Results

At a mean follow-up of more than nine years, the mean modified Harris Hip score was 88.7 points, the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) 87.4 , the Merle d’Aubigné Score 16.5 points, and the UCLA Activity Score 8.4. One patient developed a partial avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and one patient already had an avascular necrosis at the time of delayed diagnosis. Two hips developed osteoarthritic signs at 14 and 16 years after the index operation. Six patients needed a total of nine revision surgeries. One operation was needed for postoperative hip subluxation, one for secondary displacement and implant failure, two for late femoroacetabular impingement, one for femoroacetabular impingement of the opposite hip, and four for implant removal.

Conclusion

Our series shows good results and is comparable to previous published studies. The modified Dunn procedure allows the anatomic repositioning of the slipped epiphysis. Long-term results with subjective and objective hip function are superior, avascular necrosis and development of osteoarthritis inferior to other reported treatment modalities. Nevertheless, the procedure is technically demanding and revision surgery for secondary femoroacetabular impingement and implant removal are frequent. Cite this article: 2020;1-4:80–87.
Restoration of the Root–Filled Tooth
Authors: Taha Nessrin A , Messer Harold H
Published: October 2020

Root-filled teeth are weakened by loss of strategic tooth structure through restorative procedures and caries, rather than by the endodontic procedures. Therefore, prompt restoration is required to minimise coronal leakage and the risk of tooth fracture. However, restorability should be confirmed before root canal treatment begins, by removing caries and existing restoration to evaluate the residual tooth structure. Based on the remaining tooth structure, the restoration is planned to maximise the longevity of root-filled teeth as a functional unit. This review considers risk factors for survival of root-filled teeth and principles of restoration, rather than detailed techniques, including direct and indirect restorations.

Ssummary and conclusions

Restorability and the type of definitive restoration should be determined, at least provisionally, before root canal treatment is begun. The restoration is crucial for the long-term survival and function of the root-filled tooth. The choice and design of the restoration should be based on the principles of conservation and protection of remaining tooth structure, which requires some form of cuspal protection for most posterior teeth.