bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management strategies of pediatric ipsilateral olecranon with associated radial neck fractures based on multicenter experience
Authors:   Chinese Multicenter Pediatric Orthopedic Study Group (CMPOS), Li Jin , Tang Sheng Ping , Nan Guo Xin , Li Ming , Chen Shun You , Mei Hai Bo , Shao Jing Fan , Jiang Fei , Lee Rushyuan J. , Tang Xin
Published: March 2021

Background

The ipsilateral olecranon with associated radial neck fractures does not include in the Bado classification of Monteggia fractures and equivalent lesions. The primary aims of this retrospective multicenter study were to characterize this type of injury and, noting its unique properties, evaluate the results of the treatment, determine the prognostic factors that influence the radiological and clinical outcome, and also give treatment strategies.

Methods

Between July 2011 and July 2016, forearm fracture patient charts were retrospectively reviewed from seven pediatric trauma centers. Patients diagnosed with ipsilateral olecranon with associated radial neck fractures and followed up for at least 24 months were included. Fracture characteristics, treatment, outcome, and complications were assessed. The clinical outcome of treatments was evaluated by the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and the Flynn criteria. Fisher’s exact test and ANOVA test were used; significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

One hundred thirty-seven consecutive patients (54 girls and 83 boys) from 8292 forearm fractures patients, the mean age of 7.5 years (1.5 to 14.8), with fractures of the ipsilateral olecranon with associated radial neck fractures were identified. One hundred twenty-five patients had radiologic and clinical follow-up. According to a simplified classification system with “operate” and “don’t operate” groups, including five subtypes proposed in this study, ipsilateral olecranon with associated radial neck fractures subtypes could be classified with significantly different characteristics and outcome in treatment and complications.

Conclusions

Fractures of the ipsilateral olecranon associated with the radial neck are not so rare as previously reported. Complications and poor outcomes were easy to encounter without knowing this type of fracture. Appropriate treatment strategies could be made according to a simple classification system based on the treatment result of follow-up.

Level of evidence

Retrospective comparative study; Level III
Evaluation of isolated abdominal visceral artery dissection with multi-scale spiral computed tomography: a retrospective case series
Authors: He Qizhou , Yu Fei , Fu Yajun , Yang Bin , Huo Ran , Xian Rong , Liu Shulan , Liang Kali , Tang Guangcai
Published: March 2021

Background

To evaluate the role of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) angiography in the diagnosis of spontaneous isolated visceral artery dissection (SIVAD).

Methods

Twenty-seven patients with abdominal SIVAD were included in the study. The MSCT scans of the patients were subjected to various post-processing techniques to visualize the visceral artery wall. Clinical features including arterial dissection, thrombosis, dissection length, true/false lumen, and complications were recorded.

Results

Type I, IIa, and IIb SIVADs were observed in 11, 6, and 10 patients, respectively. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) dissection was the most common (n = 16), followed by abdominal aortic dissection (n = 6), splenic artery dissection (n = 2), renal artery dissection (n = 2), and splenic artery dissection (n = 1). One patient with SMA dissection suffered small intestine ischemia, 1 with splenic artery dissection had splenic infarction, and 1 patient with left renal artery dissection experienced renal infarction. The false lumen was bigger than the true lumen in 20 patients, with 9 patients having thrombus. The true lumen was bigger than the false lumen in 7 patients.

Conclusions

MSCT angiography is a valuable technique in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with SIVAD. Patients with abdominal pain suspected due to SIVAD should be examined with MSCT angiography for early detection of SIVAD.
Wood product carbon substitution benefits: a critical review of assumptions
Authors: Howard Christina , Dymond Caren C. , Griess Verena C. , Tolkien-Spurr Darius , van Kooten G. Cornelis
Published: March 2021

Background

There are high estimates of the potential climate change mitigation opportunity of using wood products. A significant part of those estimates depends on long-lived wood products in the construction sector replacing concrete, steel, and other non-renewable goods. Often the climate change mitigation benefits of this substitution are presented and quantified in the form of displacement factors. A displacement factor is numerically quantified as the reduction in emissions achieved per unit of wood used, representing the efficiency of biomass in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. The substitution benefit for a given wood use scenario is then represented as the estimated change in emissions from baseline in a study’s modelling framework. The purpose of this review is to identify and assess the central economic and technical assumptions underlying forest carbon accounting and life cycle assessments that use displacement factors or similar simple methods.

Main text

Four assumptions in the way displacement factors are employed are analyzed: (1) changes in harvest or production rates will lead to a corresponding change in consumption of wood products, (2) wood building products are substitutable for concrete and steel, (3) the same mix of products could be produced from increased harvest rates, and (4) there are no market responses to increased wood use.

Conclusions

After outlining these assumptions, we conclude suggesting that many studies assessing forest management or products for climate change mitigation depend on a suite of assumptions that the literature either does not support or only partially supports. Therefore, we encourage the research community to develop a more sophisticated model of the building sectors and their products. In the meantime, recognizing these assumptions has allowed us to identify some structural, production, and policy-based changes to the construction industry that could help realize the climate change mitigation potential of wood products.
Granulomatous interstitial polymyositis and intramuscular neuritis in a dog
Authors: Hultman Josefin , Rosati Marco , Grøn Tone Kristensen , Matiasek Kaspar , Trangerud Cathrine , Jäderlund Karin Hultin
Published: March 2021

Background

Granulomatous myositis is a rare condition in both humans and dogs. In humans it is most frequently related to sarcoidosis, where a concurrent granulomatous neuritis has been reported occasionally. Simultaneous granulomatous myositis and neuritis have been diagnosed previously in dogs (unpublished observations), but have not been studied further. Additional investigations are therefore warranted to characterize this disorder. Here we present a detailed description of concurrent idiopathic granulomatous myositis and granulomatous neuritis in a dog with suspected immune-mediated aetiology.

Case presentation

The dog presented with dysphonia and paresis in the pelvic limbs and tail. In addition to muscle biopsies being taken for histopathology, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and electrodiagnostics were performed. Muscle biopsies displayed granuloma formation with giant cells and epithelioid macrophages in muscle fibres and nerve branches. Microorganisms were not detected. Long-term treatment with glucocorticoids was clinically successful. Two years after the clinical signs started, the dog presented with signs of sepsis and died. Histopathologically, no granulomatous inflammation could be demonstrated in either muscles or nerves at that time.

Conclusions

This case illustrates a granulomatous interstitial polymyositis and intramuscular neuritis that improved clinically and resolved histologically with glucocorticoid treatment. Idiopathic granulomatous myositis and neuritis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with clinical signs of neuromuscular disorders.
Mice with mutations in Trpm1, a gene in the locus of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome, display pronounced hyperactivity and decreased anxiety-like behavior
Authors: Hori Tesshu , Ikuta Shohei , Hattori Satoko , Takao Keizo , Miyakawa Tsuyoshi , Koike Chieko
Published: March 2021

The 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders that is caused by the deletion of a region containing 7 genes on chromosome 15 (MTMR10, FAN1, TRPM1, MIR211, KLF13, OTUD7A, and CHRNA7). The contribution of each gene in this syndrome has been studied using mutant mouse models, but no single mouse model recapitulates the whole spectrum of human 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. The behavior of Trpm1−/− mice has not been investigated in relation to 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome due to the visual impairment in these mice, which may confound the results of behavioral tests involving vision. We were able to perform a comprehensive behavioral test battery using Trpm1 null mutant mice to investigate the role of Trpm1, which is thought to be expressed solely in the retina, in the central nervous system and to examine the relationship between TRPM1 and 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. Our data demonstrate that Trpm1−/− mice exhibit abnormal behaviors that may explain some phenotypes of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome, including reduced anxiety-like behavior, abnormal social interaction, attenuated fear memory, and the most prominent phenotype of Trpm1 mutant mice, hyperactivity. While the ON visual transduction pathway is impaired in Trpm1−/− mice, we did not detect compensatory high sensitivities for other sensory modalities. The pathway for visual impairment is the same between Trpm1−/− mice and mGluR6−/− mice, but hyperlocomotor activity has not been reported in mGluR6−/− mice. These data suggest that the phenotype of Trpm1−/− mice extends beyond that expected from visual impairment alone. Here, we provide the first evidence associating TRPM1 with impairment of cognitive function similar to that observed in phenotypes of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome.
Isolated intestinal Ganglioneuromatosis: case report and literature review
Authors: Mauro Angela , Zenzeri Letizia , Esposito Francesco , Gaglione Giovanni , Strisciuglio Caterina , Pilozzi Emanuela , Corleto Vito Domenico , Ziparo Chiara , Di Nardo Giovanni
Published: March 2021

Background

Intestinal Ganglioneuromatosis (IG) is a rare disorder of the enteric nervous system. In pediatric age it is often associated with genetic syndromes such as Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) and Cowden syndrome (PTEN mutation), and ganglioneuromas (GNs) may be sometimes the first sign of the disease. Isolated GNs are rare and sporadic. Clinical symptom vary and depend on the size and on the location of the GNs. This disorder affects intestinal motility and it, consequently, causes changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, occlusive symptoms and rarely lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to ulceration of the intestinal mucosa. On the other hand, patients can remain asymptomatic for many years.

Case presentation

We describe a 9-year-old boy referred to our emergency department for right lower quadrant abdominal pain. No familial history for gastrointestinal disorders. No history of fever or weight loss. At physical examination, he had diffused abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic formation measuring 41.8 mm by 35 mm in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Routine blood tests were normal, but fecal occult blood test was positive. Abdominal TC confirmed the hypodense formation, of about 5 cm in transverse diameter, in the right hypochondrium that apparently invaginated in the caecum-last ileal loop. Colonoscopy showed in the cecum an invaginated polypoid lesion of the terminal ileal loop. Laparoscopic resection of the polypoid lesion was performed. Histological diagnosis of the large neoplasm observed in the terminal ileum was diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. NF1, RET and PTEN gene tests resulted negative for specific mutations. At the 1 year follow-up, the patient presented good general condition and blood tests, fecal occult blood test, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and MR-enterography were negative.

Conclusions

Only few cases are reported in literature of IG in pediatric age. Although rare, the present case suggests that this disorder must be taken in consideration in every patient with GI symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, lower intestinal bleeding, in order to avoid a delayed diagnosis.
Total metabolic lesion volume of lymph nodes measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT: a new predictor of macrophage activation syndrome in adult-onset Still’s disease
Authors: Wan Liyan , Gao Yuting , Gu Jieyu , Chi Huihui , Wang Zhihong , Hu Qiongyi , Jia Jinchao , Liu Tingting , Li Biao , Teng Jialin , Liu Honglei , Cheng Xiaobing , Ye Junna , Su Yutong , Yang Chengde , Shi Hui , Zhang Min
Published: March 2021

Background

To investigate the potential utility of quantitative parameters obtained by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the assessment of disease severity and the occurrence of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD).

Methods

Fifty-seven patients with AOSD who underwent pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT were recruited in this study and compared with 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Clinical features and laboratory data were recorded. The systemic score was assessed to determine the disease severity. The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic lesion volume (MLV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were used to evaluate the involved organs and tissues that abnormally accumulated 18F-FDG. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the PET/CT-derived risk factors contributing to the AOSD-related MAS, and their diagnostic efficiency was evaluated.

Results

High 18F-FDG accumulation was observed in the bone marrow (SUVmax median, 5.10), spleen (SUVmax median, 3.70), and lymph nodes (LNs, SUVmax median, 5.55). The SUVmax of the bone marrow (rho = 0.376, p = 0.004), SUVmax of the spleen (rho = 0.450, p < 0.001), TLGtotal of LNs (rho = 0.386, p = 0.017), and MLVtotal of LNs (rho = 0.391, p = 0.015) were correlated with the systemic score. The SUVmax of the spleen (p = 0.017), TLGtotal of LNs (p = 0.045), and MLVtotal of LNs (p = 0.012) were higher in patients with MAS than in those without MAS. A MLVtotal of LNs > 62.2 (OR 27.375, p = 0.042) was an independent predictive factor for MAS with a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 93.9%.

Conclusions

The glucose metabolic level of the spleen could be an effective and easy-to-use imaging indicator of disease severity, and MLVtotal of LNs > 62.2 was a strong predictor of MAS occurrence in patients with AOSD.
The efficacy of exergaming in people with major neurocognitive disorder residing in long-term care facilities: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Swinnen Nathalie , Vandenbulcke Mathieu , de Bruin Eling D. , Akkerman Riekje , Stubbs Brendon , Firth Joseph , Vancampfort Davy
Published: March 2021

Background

It is currently unknown whether exergaming is efficacious in people with major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) residing in long-term care facilities. This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) explored the efficacy of a stepping exergame program on gait speed, balance, mobility, reaction time, cognitive and neuropsychiatric outcomes, quality of life, and daily life functioning in people with MNCD residing in long-term care facilities.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to 8 weeks, three times weekly, 15 min of exergaming versus watching preferred music videos. The exergame device consisted of a pressure-sensitive step training platform on which participants performed stepping movements to play the games. The device automatically adapted the training level to the participants’ capabilities. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), step reaction time test (SRTT), Montréal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Dementia Quality of Life (DQoL), and Katz Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. A Quade’s non-parametric ANCOVA controlling for baseline values with post hoc Bonferroni correction (p < 0.00625) was used to analyze pre- and post-differences between the groups. Partial eta-squared (η2p) effect sizes were calculated.

Results

Forty-five of 55 randomized inpatients with mild to moderate MNCD (Mini-Mental State Examination score = 17.2 ± 4.5; aged 70–91; 35 women) completed the study. The exergame group (n = 23) demonstrated improvements in gait speed (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.41), total SPPB (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.64), SRTT (p<0.001, η2p = 0.51), MoCA (p<0.001, η2p = 0.38), and reductions in CSDD (p<0.001, η2p = 0.43) compared to the control group (n = 22). There were no differences in NPI (p = 0.165, η2p = 0.05), DQoL (p = 0.012, η2p = 0.16), and ADL (p = 0.008, η2p = 0.16) post-intervention scores between the experimental and control group, albeit DQol and ADL measures showed large effect sizes in the exergame group. The mean attendance rate was 82.9% in the exergame group and 73.7% in the music control group. There were no study-related adverse events reported by the participants, nor observed by the research team.

Conclusions

The findings of this pilot RCT suggest that an individually adapted exergame training improves lower extremity functioning, cognitive functioning and step reaction time and symptoms of depression in inpatients with MNCD residing in long-term care facilities.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04436302
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound imaging can be used to evaluate fetal cerebral perfusion: potential implications for fetal surgery
Authors: Lawrence Kendall M. , Coons Barbara E. , Sridharan Anush , Rossidis Avery C. , Davey Marcus G. , Flake Alan W. , Didier Ryne A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Fetal surgery is increasingly performed to correct congenital defects. Currently, fetal brain perfusion cannot be assessed intra-operatively. The purpose of this study was to determine if contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be used to monitor fetal cerebral perfusion during fetal surgery and if parameters correlate with fetal hemodynamics or acid/base status.

Methods

Cannulated fetal sheep were insufflated with carbon dioxide gas in an extra-uterine support device and in utero to mimic fetal surgery. Fetal heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and arterial blood gases were serially measured. CEUS examinations of the brain were performed and time-dependent metrics were quantified to evaluate perfusion. The relationships between measured parameters were determined with mixed linear effects models or two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results

6 fetal sheep (113 ± 5 days) insufflated at multiple time-points (n = 20 experiments) in an extra-uterine support device demonstrated significant correlations between time-dependent perfusion parameters and fetal pH and carbon dioxide levels. In utero, 4 insufflated fetuses (105 ± 1 days) developed hypercarbic acidosis and had reductions in cerebral perfusion parameters compared to age-matched controls (n = 3). There was no significant relationship between cerebral perfusion parameters and fetal hemodynamics.

Conclusions

CEUS-derived cerebral perfusion parameters can be measured during simulated fetal surgery and strongly correlate with fetal acid/base status.
Stabilization and optimization of host-microbe-environment interactions as a potential reason for the behavior of natal philopatry
Authors: Bo Ting-bei , Kohl Kevin D.
Published: March 2021

Many animals engage in a behavior known as natal philopatry, where after sexual maturity they return to their own birthplaces for subsequent reproduction. There are many proposed ultimate factors that may underlie the evolution of natal philopatry, such as genetic optimization, suitable living conditions, and friendly neighbors, which can improve the survival rates of offspring. However, here we propose that a key factor that has been overlooked could be the colonization of gut microbiota during early life and the effects these microorganisms have on host performance and fitness. In addition to the bacteria transmitted from the mother to offspring, microbes from the surrounding environment also account for a large proportion of the developing gut microbiome. While it was long believed that microbial species all have global distributions, we now know that there are substantial geographic differences and dispersal limitations to environmental microbes. The establishment of gut microbiota during early life has enormous impacts on animal development, including energy metabolism, training of the immune system, and cognitive development. Moreover, these microbial effects scale to influence animal performance and fitness, raising the possibility for natural selection to act on the integrated combination of gut microbial communities and host genetics (i.e. the holobiont). Therefore, in this paper, we propose a hypothesis: that optimization of host-microbe-environment interactions represents a potentially important yet overlooked reason for natal philopatry. Microbiota obtained by natal philopatry could help animals adapt to the environment and improve the survival rates of their young. We propose future directions to test these ideas, and the implications that this hypothesis has for our understanding of host-microbe interactions.
Cancer Screening in the Coronavirus Pandemic Era: Adjusting to a New Situation
Authors: Basu Partha , Alhomoud Samar , Taghavi Katayoun , Carvalho Andre L. , Lucas Eric , Baussano Iacopo
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE

The coronavirus-induced pandemic has put great pressure on health systems worldwide. Nonemergency health services, such as cancer screening, have been scaled down or withheld as a result of travel restrictions and resources being redirected to manage the pandemic. The present article discusses the challenges to cancer screening implementation in the pandemic environment, suggesting ways to optimize services for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS

The manuscript was drafted by a team of public health specialists with expertise in implementation and monitoring of cancer screening. A scoping review of literature revealed the lack of comprehensive guidance on continuation of cancer screening in the midst of waxing and waning of infection. The recommendations in the present article were based on the advisories issued by different health agencies and professional bodies and the authors' understanding of the best practices to maintain quality-assured cancer screening.

RESULTS

A well-coordinated approach is required to ensure that essential health services such as cancer management are maintained and elective services are not threatened, especially because of resource constraints. In the context of cancer screening, a few changes in invitation strategies, screening and management protocols and program governance need to be considered to fit into the new normal situation. Restoring public trust in providing efficient and safe services should be one of the key mandates for screening program reorganization. This may be a good opportunity to introduce innovations (eg, telehealth) and consider de-implementing non–evidence-based practices. It is necessary to consider increased spending on primary health care and incorporating screening services in basic health package.

CONCLUSION

The article provides guidance on reorganization of screening policies, governance, implementation, and program monitoring.
Effect of the modified Heisenberg algebra on the black hole thermodynamics
Authors: Hamil B. , Lütfüoğlu B. C.
Published: March 2021

In this letter, we introduce two new forms of uncertainty relations by extending the usual Heisenberg algebra with higher terms. Within these scenarios, at first, we study the Unruh temperature. We find that the Unruh temperature increases in one of the new forms while it decreases in the other form. Next, we explore the thermodynamic properties of a Schwarzschild black hole by relying on these two new forms of the Heisenberg uncertainty relation. We present the modifications in the mass-temperature, specific heat, and entropy functions of the black hole according to the extension parameters.
Role of links on the structural properties of different network topologies
Authors: Hazrati Motahare , Panahi Shirin , Parastesh Fatemeh , Jafari Sajad , Ghosh Dibakar
Published: March 2021

Complex networks are of major importance in many areas of science. The network property analysis of such networks can help researchers to understand many real-world systems. Different collective phenomena emerge in complex networks, synchronization is one of the most interesting states. The number of links plays a major role in synchronizability. In this paper, the specific properties of the different well-known network topologies are studied, and their synchronizability is compared. Networks with different structures, such as the regular, star, random, small-world, and scale-free networks, are investigated. For each topology, the clustering coefficient, average and variance of the path length, and the eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix of connections are obtained by varying the number of links. The results show some relations between the network's properties and synchronizability. One of the obtained results is that the type-one networks in a small number of links show better synchronization in the lowest average and variance of path length. However, for a greater number of links, the best synchronizability belongs to the topologies with lower clustering coefficient.
Cryoneurolysis of Innervation to Sacroiliac Joints: Technical Description and Initial Results—A Case Series
Authors: Sahoo Rajendra Kumar , Das Gautam , Pathak Laxmi , Dutta Debjyoti , Roy Chinmoy , Bhatia Anuj
Published: March 2021

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a common source of pain in patients with low back pain. Untreated pain from the SIJ can lead to prolonged discomfort and financial burden. Interventional treatments for SIJ-related pain include intraarticular steroid injection and radiofrequency ablation but both procedures provide pain relief for a limited duration. Cryoneurolysis is another neuroablative technique that is effective in various chronic pain conditions. However, there is no clear description of SIJ cryoneurolysis in the published literature. In this report, we present 5 patients with SIJ-related pain and we describe the ultrasound-guided SIJ cryoneurolysis technique and its analgesic efficacy.
Anesthetic Management of a Child With Rapid-Onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism (DYT12-ATP1A3): A Case Report
Authors: Hardy Pierre-Yves , Hallet Claude , Kirsch Murielle , Samalea Suarez Nicolas , Hick Gaëtane , Petry Jorgen , Lois Fernande , Jastrowicz Julie , Depierreux Frédérique
Published: March 2021

Rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism also known as DYT12-ATP1A3 is an extremely rare neurological disease. Patients develop dystonia, bradykinesia, postural instability, dysarthria, and dysphagia. Injection of botulinum toxin is the first-choice treatment for focal dystonia. We report the case of a 14-year-old patient diagnosed with rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism who was scheduled for injection of botulinum toxin in his upper limbs under general anesthesia. To our knowledge, there is no previous report about the anesthetic management of patients with rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism.
A guide to accurate reporting in digital image processing – can anyone reproduce your quantitative analysis?
Authors: Aaron Jesse , Chew Teng-Leong
Published: March 2021

Considerable attention has been recently paid to improving replicability and reproducibility in life science research. This has resulted in commendable efforts to standardize a variety of reagents, assays, cell lines and other resources. However, given that microscopy is a dominant tool for biologists, comparatively little discussion has been offered regarding how the proper reporting and documentation of microscopy relevant details should be handled. Image processing is a critical step of almost any microscopy-based experiment; however, improper, or incomplete reporting of its use in the literature is pervasive. The chosen details of an image processing workflow can dramatically determine the outcome of subsequent analyses, and indeed, the overall conclusions of a study. This Review aims to illustrate how proper reporting of image processing methodology improves scientific reproducibility and strengthens the biological conclusions derived from the results.
Autotomy-induced effects on the locomotor performance of the ghost crabOcypode quadrata
Authors: Pfeiffenberger Janne A. , Hsieh S. Tonia
Published: March 2021

The voluntary amputation of an appendage, or autotomy, is an effective defensive mechanism that allows an animal to escape aggressive interactions. However, animals may suffer long-term costs that can reduce their overall fitness. Atlantic ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) are one of the fastest terrestrial invertebrates, and regularly lose one or more limbs in response to an antagonist encounter. When running laterally at fast speeds, they adopt a quadrupedal gait using their first and second pairs of legs while raising their fourth, and sometimes the third, pair of legs off the ground. This suggests that some limbs may be more important for achieving maximal locomotor performance than others. The goal of this study was to determine whether the loss of certain limbs would affect running performance more than others, and what compensatory strategies were used. Crabs were assigned to four different paired limb removal treatments or the control group and run on an enclosed trackway in their natural habitat. Ghost crabs were found to adjust stride kinematics in response to limb loss. Loss of the second or third limb pairs caused a reduction in running speed by about 25%, suggesting that the remaining intact limbs were unable to compensate for the loss of either limb, either due to a lack of propulsive forces produced by these limbs or issues stemming from re-coupling limb arrangements. Loss of any of the other limbs had no detectable effect on running speed. We conclude that compensatory ability varies depending on the limb that is lost.
Transgenerational plasticity responses of oysters to ocean acidification differ with habitat
Authors: Parker Laura M. , Scanes Elliot , O'Connor Wayne A. , Ross Pauline M.
Published: March 2021

Transgenerational plasticity (TGP) has been identified as a critical mechanism of acclimation that may buffer marine organisms against climate change, yet whether the TGP response of marine organisms is altered depending on their habitat is unknown. Many marine organisms are found in intertidal zones where they experience episodes of emersion (air exposure) daily as the tide rises and recedes. During episodes of emersion, the accumulation of metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2) leads to hypercapnia for many species. How this metabolic hypercapnia impacts the TGP response of marine organisms to climate change is unknown as all previous transgenerational studies have been done under subtidal conditions, where parents are constantly immersed. Here, we assess the capacity of the ecologically and economically important oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, to acclimate to elevated CO2 dependent on habitat, across its vertical distribution, from the subtidal to intertidal zone. Tidal habitat altered both the existing tolerance and transgenerational response of S. glomerata to elevated CO2. Overall, larvae from parents conditioned in an intertidal habitat had a greater existing tolerance to elevated CO2 than larvae from parents conditioned in a subtidal habitat, but had a lower capacity for beneficial TGP following parental exposure to elevated CO2. Our results suggest that the TGP responses of marine species will not be uniform across their distribution and highlights the need to consider the habitat of a species when assessing TGP responses to climate change stressors.
Synchrony of complex signals in an acoustically communicating katydid
Authors: Nityananda Vivek , Balakrishnan Rohini
Published: March 2021

Investigating the ability to entrain to auditory stimuli has been a powerful approach to uncovering the comparative rhythm abilities of different animals. While synchrony to regular simple rhythms is well documented, synchrony to complex stimuli, with multiple components at unequal time intervals, is rarer. Several katydid species with simple calls have been shown to achieve synchrony as part of their natural calling interactions in multi-individual choruses. Yet no study so far has demonstrated synchrony in any insect with a complex call. Using natural calling behaviour and playback experiments, we investigated acoustic synchrony and the mechanisms underlying it in the katydid Mecopoda sp. ‘Two-part caller’. This katydid has a complex call consisting of a long trill followed by two or more chirps. We found that individual males synchronized trills and, to a lesser extent, chirps. Further investigation of trill synchrony showed that the timing of trills is modified by external trills but not chirps. Chirp synchrony is modified by external chirps, but also by trills. We suggest a qualitative two-oscillator model underlying synchrony in this species and discuss the implications for the evolution of acoustic synchrony.
Impacts of Performance Pay for Hospitals: The Readmissions Reduction Program
Authors: Gupta Atul
Published: March 2021

US policy increasingly ties payments for providers to performance on quality measures, though little empirical evidence guides the design of such incentives. I deploy administrative data to study a large federal program that penalizes hospitals with high readmissions rates. Using policy-driven variation in the penalty incentive across hospitals for identification, I find that hospital responses to the penalty account for two-thirds of the observed decrease in readmissions over this period, as well as a decrease in heart attack mortality. Quality improvement accounts for about one-half of the decrease in readmissions; the remainder is explained by selective admission of returning patients. (JEL G22, H51, I11, I12, I13, I18)
The Legacy of Colonial Medicine in Central Africa
Authors: Lowes Sara , Montero Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Between 1921 and 1956, French colonial governments organized medical campaigns to treat and prevent sleeping sickness. Villagers were forcibly examined and injected with medications with severe, sometimes fatal, side effects. We digitized 30 years of archival records to document the locations of campaign visits at a granular geographic level for five central African countries. We find that greater campaign exposure reduces vaccination rates and trust in medicine, as measured by willingness to consent to a blood test. We examine relevance for present-day health initiatives; World Bank projects in the health sector are less successful in areas with greater exposure. (JEL F54, I12, I15, I18, N37, N47, Z13)
The Macroeconomic Effects of Oil Supply News: Evidence from OPEC Announcements
Authors: Känzig Diego R.
Published: March 2021

This paper studies how changes in oil supply expectations affect the oil price and the macroeconomy. Using a novel identification design, exploiting institutional features of OPEC and high-frequency data, I identify an oil supply news shock. These shocks have statistically and economically significant effects. Negative news leads to an immediate increase in oil prices, a gradual fall in oil production, and an increase in inventories. This has consequences for the US economy: activity falls, prices and inflation expectations rise, and the dollar depreciates, providing evidence for a strong channel operating through supply expectations. (JEL E31, E32, F31, Q35, Q38, Q43)
When Does Regulation Distort Costs? Lessons from Fuel Procurement in US Electricity Generation: Reply
Authors: Cicala Steve
Published: March 2021

The average effect of deregulatory policies on fuel prices at coal-fired power plants is strongly influenced by plants that were initially paying the highest prices for fuel. Primary sources document that these plants were locked into long-term, high-cost fuel contracts, and only secured market rates post-deregulation. While these plants' fuel costs were unusual, their response to deregulation was not: both coal- and gas-fired plants reduce fuel prices one-for-one with the amount they were initially paying above their neighbors' costs. Our understanding of deregulation is not improved by excluding those who stand to benefit most. (JEL L51, L71, L94, L98, Q35, Q41, Q48)
Risk, the College Premium, and Aggregate Human Capital Investment
Authors: Athreya Kartik , Eberly Janice
Published: March 2021

Despite increases in the college earnings premium to persistently high levels, investment in college education remains low. We can understand this apparent puzzle by considering the risk of attending college and, in particular, the possibility of failing to graduate. Students with a reasonable probability of completing college already enroll, and for those who do not enroll, the low chance of completion blunts the impact of the rising college premium. In the absence of improved college readiness, our quantitative results suggest that continuing long-standing trends in skill-biased technological change can be expected primarily to increase earnings inequality rather than college attainment. (JEL E24, I22, I23, J24, J31, O33)
Ο ρόλος του versican στο μεσοθηλίωμα υπεζωκότα
Authors: Παππάς Απόστολος
Published: March 2021

Η πρωτεΐνη versican προάγει την καρκινική αύξηση σε πειραματικά μοντέλα μέσω αυτοκρινών και παρακρινών μηχανισμών. Ο ρόλος της στην πρόοδο του μεσοθηλιώματος δεν έχει μέχρι τώρα ερευνηθεί. Στην παρούσα μελέτη εξετάσαμε την επίδραση της -εκκρινόμενης από τον όγκο- πρωτεΐνης versican στην ανάπτυξη του μεσοθηλιώματος και τους υποκείμενους μηχανισμούς που οδηγούν στο αποτέλεσμα αυτό. Για το σκοπό αυτό, κύτταρα ελέγχου ή -ενδεή ως προς το versican- ΑΕ17 και ΑΒ1 κύτταρα μεσοθηλιώματος μυός χορηγήθηκαν ενδοϋπεζωκοτικά σε συγγενικά στελέχη μυών, ώστε να δημιουργηθεί μεσοθηλίωμα υπεζωκότα και συνοδός κακοήθης υπεζωκοτική συλλογή (ΚΥΣ). Οι ανοσολογικοί υποπληθυσμοί της υπεζωκοτικής συλλογής και του κακοήθους ιστού χαρακτηρίστηκαν με κυτταρομετρία ροής. Κύτταρα μεσοθηλιώματος συγκαλλιεργήθηκαν με συγγενή μακροφάγα, με σκοπό να εξετάσουμε την επιρροή του versican στη μεταξύ τους αλληλεπίδραση, καθώς και με συγγενή ενδοθηλιακά κύτταρα, ώστε να μελετηθεί η επίδραση της πρωτεΐνης αυτής στην αγγειακή διαπερατότητα. Η έκφραση του versican μελετήθηκε σε δείγματα από ανθρώπινο μεσοθηλίωμα και συνοδό ΚΥΣ, καθώς και σε καλοήθη υπεζωκοτικό ιστό και πλευριτικό υγρό. Παρατηρήσαμε ότι, η αποσιώπηση του versican οδήγησε σε μειωμένη ποσότητα ιστού μεσοθηλιώματος και μειωμένο όγκο της συνοδού ΚΥΣ, επιδρώντας στον πολλαπλασιασμό και στην απόπτωση των καρκινικών κυττάρων in vivo (ενώ η καρκινική αύξηση δεν επηρεάστηκε σε πειράματα in vitro) περιορίζοντας παράλληλα την αγγειακή διαπερατότητα. Μύες που έπασχαν από -ενδεές ως προς το versican- μεσοθηλίωμα χαρακτηρίστηκαν από μικρότερο αριθμό ιστικών/υπεζωκοτικών μακροφάγων και ουδετεροφίλων, και μικρότερο αριθμό υπεζωκοτικών T-ρυθμιστικών CD4 (+) κυττάρων, συγκριτικά με τους μύες της ομάδας ελέγχου. Τα μακροφάγα που συγκαλλιεργήθηκαν με –ενδεή ως προς το versican- κύτταρα μεσοθηλιώματος παρουσίασαν στροφή προς τον Μ1 κυτταροτοξικό φαινότυπο και διέθεταν αυξημένες φαγοκυτταρικές ιδιότητες έναντι των καρκινικών κυττάρων, συγκριτικά με τα μακροφάγα ελέγχου. Σε συγκαλλιέργεια, τα –ενδεή ως προς το versican- μεσοθηλιακά κύτταρα δεν διέγειραν το ίδιο αποτελεσματικά τη διαπερατότητα της ενδοθηλιακής μονοστοιβάδας, σε σύγκριση με τα κύτταρα ελέγχου. Διαπιστώσαμε επίσης, ότι η πρωτεΐνη versican υπερεκφράζεται στο ανθρώπινο μεσοθηλίωμα και τη συνδό ΚΥΣ. Συμπερασματικά, το versican, που εκκρίνεται από τον όγκο, προάγει την ανάπτυξη του μεσοθηλιώματος διαμορφώνοντας ένα -φιλικό προς τον όγκο- φλεγμονώδες μικροπεριβάλλον, κυρίως ρυθμίζοντας τις λειτουργίες των μακροφάγων έναντι των καρκινικών κυττάρων.
Η επίδραση της παραορτικής αντλίας αντιώθησης (PULVAD) στη στεφανιαία ροή και στη ροή στις καρωτίδες σε χοίρειο μοντέλο οξείας καρδιακής ανεπάρκειας
Authors: Αραβαντινός Διονύσιος
Published: March 2021

Εισαγωγή: Η Αντλία Αποφόρτισης Πίεσης της Αριστερής κοιλίας (PULVAD) είναι μια νέα συσκευή υποβοήθησης της αριστερής κοιλίας που λειτουργεί με βάση την αρχή της αντιώθησης και είναι σχεδιασμένη να παρέχει αιμοδυναμική υποστήριξη μέσω της συγχρονισμένης επαύξησης της εγγενούς καρδιακής δραστηριότητας. Σκοπός: Η διερεύνηση της επίδρασης της PULVAD στη στεφανιαία και στην καρωτιδική ροή σε χοίρειο πειραματικό μοντέλο οξείας ισχαιμικής καρδιακής ανεπάρκειας. Μέθοδοι: Επτά χοίροι βάρους 75-95 kg υποβλήθηκαν σε πρόκληση οξείας καρδιακής ανεπάρκειας μέσω απολίνωσης της πρόσθιας κατιούσας στεφανιαίας αρτηρίας (ΠΚΣΑ) για διάστημα 60 λεπτών, ακολουθούμενο από επαναιμάτωση. Δακτύλιος υπερηχητικού ροομέτρου τοποθετήθηκε στη μεσότητα του προσθίου κατιόντα κλάδου της αριστερής στεφανιαίας αρτηρίας και στην καρωτίδα αρτηρία για τη μέτρηση σε πραγματικό χρόνο της στεφανιαίας ροής και της ροής στην καρωτίδα αντίστοιχα. Η PULVAD εμφυτεύτηκε στην ανιούσα αορτή διαμέσου ενός αγγειακού μοσχέυματος, συγχρονίζονταν βάσει του ηλεκτροκαρδιογραφήματος και λειτουργούσε με βάση την αρχή της αντιώθησης. Οι μετρήσεις πραγματοποιούνταν χωρίς μηχανική υποστήριξη και μετά από ένα λεπτό μηχανικής υποστήριξης με PULVAD. Αποτελέσματα: Στο επαναιματούμενο μυοκάρδιο η μηχανική υποβοήθηση με PULVAD επέφερε σημαντική αύξηση της μέσης στεφανιαίας ροής της ΠΚΣΑ (από 50.77±23.44 ml/min σε 64.64±24.22 ml/min, p<0.05 ). Η υποβοήθηση με PULVAD ελάττωσε τη συστολική στεφανιαία ροή της ΠΚΣΑ (από 32.49±13.86 ml/min σε 11±28 ml/min, p<0.05), επιφέροντας παράλληλα δραματική αύξηση της διαστολικής στεφανιαίας ροής της ΠΚΣΑ (από 62.40±31.45 ml/min σε 98.28±36.30 ml/min, p<0.05). Η μέση ροή στην κοινή καρωτίδα δεν επηρεάστηκε από την PULVAD (από 88.0±55.8 σε 85.1±56.1 ml/min, p=0.173). Συμπεράσματα: Η υποβοήθηση της ανεπαρκούσας καρδιάς με PULVAD αυξάνει σημαντικά τη μέση στεφανιαίας ροή στην ΠΚΣΑ, μέσω δραματικής ενίσχυσης της στεφανιαίας ροής κατά τη διαστολική φάση του καρδιακού κύκλου. Η καρωτιδική ροή δεν επηρεάστηκε από την PULVAD, εύρημα συμβατό με τη διατηρημένη αυτορρυθμιστική ικανότητα της εγκεφαλικής κυκλοφορίας.
Αποτελεσματική διδασκαλία γνωστικού σχήματος προβλημάτων αφαίρεσης σε μαθητές με ειδικές μαθησιακές δυσκολίες με τη χρήση πολλαπλών τρόπων αναπαράστασης της γνώσης
Authors: Αγγελόπουλος Στέργιος , Αγαλιώτης Ιωάννης
Published: March 2021

The present research examines the construction and activation of cognitive schemata corresponding to subtraction-compare and subtraction-equalize math word problems by primary school students with specific learning disabilities. In order to facilitate the participants in developing their cognitive schemata, we utilized multiple ways of knowledge representation (manipulatives, pictures, and arithmetic symbols) in the context of an intervention based on the principles of effective instruction. In order to evaluate the results, assessments were conducted prior and immediately after the implementation of the intervention, as well as three weeks after its completion. It was found that participants performed significantly better in problem solving both after the intervention and at follow-up, proving that they benefited from the instruction they had received. Results are discussed in regard to organizing appropriate instruction for students with mathematical difficulties and disabilities.
Matching Returning Donors to Projects on Philanthropic Crowdfunding Platforms
Authors: Song Yicheng , Li Zhuoxin , Sahoo Nachiketa
Published: March 2021

We propose an approach to match returning donors to fundraising campaigns on philanthropic crowdfunding platforms. It is based on a structural econometric model of utility-maximizing donors who can derive both altruistic (from the welfare of others) and egoistic (from personal motivations) utilities from donating—a unique feature of philanthropic giving. We estimate our model using a comprehensive data set from DonorsChoose.org—the largest crowdfunding platform for K–12 education. We find that the proposed model more accurately identifies the projects that donors would like to donate to on their return in a future period, and how much they would donate, than popular personalized recommendation approaches in the literature. From the estimated model, we find that primarily egoistic factors motivate over two-thirds of the donations, but, over the course of the fundraising campaign, both motivations play a symbiotic role: egoistic motivations drive the funding in the early stages of a campaign when the viability of the project is still unclear, whereas altruistic motivations help reach the funding goal in the later stages. Finally, we design a recommendation policy using the proposed model to maximize the total funding each week considering the needs of all projects and the heterogeneous budgets and preferences of donors. We estimate that over the last 14 weeks of the data period, such a policy would have raised 2.5% more donation, provided 9% more funding to the projects by allocating them to more viable projects, funded 17% more projects, and provided 15% more utility to the donors from the donations than the current system. Counterintuitively, we find that the policy that maximizes total funding each week leads to higher utility for the donors over time than a policy that maximizes donors’ total utility each week. The reason is that the funding-maximizing policy focuses donations on more viable projects, leading to more funded projects, and, ultimately, higher realized donors’ utility.

This paper was accepted by Kartik Hosanagar, information systems.
Misaligned Meaning: Couples’ Work-Orientation Incongruence and Their Work Outcomes
Authors: Jiang Winnie Y. , Wrzesniewski Amy
Published: March 2021

This research investigates the relationship between couples’ work-orientation incongruence—the degree to which romantic partners view the meaning of their own work differently—and their ability to succeed in making job transitions and experiencing satisfaction with the jobs they hold. We use a social information-processing approach to develop arguments that romantic partners serve as powerful social referents in the domain of work. By cueing social information regarding the salience and value of different aspects of work, partners with incongruent work orientations can complicate each other’s evaluation of their own jobs and the jobs they seek. In a longitudinal study of couples in which one partner is searching for work, we find that greater incongruence in couples’ calling orientations toward work relates to lower reemployment probability, a relationship that is mediated by an increased feeling of uncertainty about the future experienced by job seekers in such couples. Calling-orientation incongruence also relates to lower job satisfaction for employed partners over time. We contribute to the burgeoning literature on the role romantic partners play in shaping work outcomes by examining the effect of romantic partners’ perception of the meaning of work, offering empirical evidence of the ways in which romantic partners influence key work and organizational outcomes. Our research also contributes to the meaning of work literature by demonstrating how work-orientation incongruence at the dyadic level matters for individual work attitudes and success in making job transitions.