scholarly journals Great tits who remember more accurately have difficulty forgetting, but variation is not driven by environmental harshness

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Hermer ◽  
Ben Murphy ◽  
Alexis S. Chaine ◽  
Julie Morand-Ferron
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Proactive Interference ◽  
Parus Major ◽  
Variance Partitioning ◽  
Harsh Environments ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Scatter Hoarding ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Memory Accuracy ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractThe causes of individual variation in memory are poorly understood in wild animals. Harsh environments with sparse or rapidly changing food resources are hypothesized to favour more accurate spatial memory to allow animals to return to previously visited patches when current patches are depleted. A potential cost of more accurate spatial memory is proactive interference, where accurate memories block the formation of new memories. This relationship between spatial memory, proactive interference, and harsh environments has only been studied in scatter-hoarding animals. We compare spatial memory accuracy and proactive interference performance of non-scatter hoarding great tits (Parus major) from high and low elevations where harshness increases with elevation. In contrast to studies of scatter-hoarders, we did not find a significant difference between high and low elevation birds in their spatial memory accuracy or proactive interference performance. Using a variance partitioning approach, we report the first among-individual trade-off between spatial memory and proactive interference, uncovering variation in memory at the individual level where selection may act. Although we have no evidence of harsh habitats affecting spatial memory, our results suggest that if elevation produced differences in spatial memory between elevations, we could see concurrent changes in how quickly birds can forget.

scholarly journals Prospective associations between ECG abnormalities and death or myocardial infarction in a cohort of 980 employed, middle-aged Swedish men

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennart Dimberg ◽  
Bo Eriksson ◽  
Per Enqvist
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Independent Association ◽  
Repeat Examination ◽  
Normal Ecgs ◽  
Ecg Abnormalities

Abstract Background In 1993, 1000 randomly selected employed Swedish men aged 45–50 years were invited to a nurse-led health examination with a survey on life style, fasting lab tests, and a 12-lead ECG. A repeat examination was offered in 1998. The ECGs were classified according to the Minnesota Code. Upon ethical approval, endpoints in terms of MI and death over 25 years were collected from Swedish national registers with the purpose of analyzing the independent association of ECG abnormalities as risk factors for myocardial infarction and death. Results Seventy-nine of 977 participants had at least one ECG abnormality 1993 or 1998. One hundred participants had a first MI over the 25 years. Odds ratio for having an MI in the group that had one or more ECG abnormality compared with the group with two normal ECGs was estimated to 3.16. 95%CI (1.74; 5.73), p value 0.0001. One hundred fifty-seven participants had died before 2019. For death, similarly no statistically significant difference was shown, OR 1.52, 95%CI (0.83; 2.76). Conclusions Our study suggests that presence of ST- and R-wave changes is associated with an independent 3–4-fold increased risk of MI after 25 years follow-up, but not of death. A 12-lead resting ECG should be included in any MI risk calculation on an individual level.

scholarly journals Complexity of Knee Neuromuscular Control in Uninjured Physically Active Adults: Right/Left and Dominant/Nondominant Asymmetry Analyses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Clark ◽  
Jamie Pethick
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Approximate Entropy ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Fluctuation Analysis ◽  
Temporal Behavior ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Right

Context: Motor pathways include upper motor-neurons from the cerebrum and brainstem and lower motor-neurons from the spinal cord. Together, these physiological components are effectors of knee neuromuscular control. Because multiple components are involved, each with an output that is asynchronous to the others, ‘whole-system’ output is characterized by irregular temporal behavior and signal fluctuations. The irregular temporal behavior of physiological signals is analyzed using ‘complexity’. Complexity-based measures reflect the ability to adapt motor output rapidly and accurately in response to external perturbations and provide physiological information missed by magnitude-based (variability) measures.Objective: To characterize side-to-side symmetry of knee neuromuscular control (sub-maximal isometric knee extension constant-force task) using variability (coefficient of variation [CV%]) and complexity (approximate entropy [ApEn], detrended fluctuation analysis [DFA α]) measures.Design: Cross-sectional.Setting: Laboratory.Patients or Other Participants: Sixteen (male/female n=11/5; age 24.0±5.3yr; height 1.74±0.08m; body-mass 68.3±11.1kg).Main Outcome Measure(s): Right/left and dominant/nondominant group-level (t-test) and individual-level (absolute-asymmetry [%]) comparisons. A limb-symmetry-index was calculated for each variable and clinically-significant absolute-asymmetry defined (>15%). Clinically-significant absolute-asymmetry prevalence (%) was computed for each variable.Results: The only significant side-to-side difference was for right/left DFA α (P=.000). Maximum absolute-asymmetries were (right/left, dominant/nondominant): CV 18.2%, 18.0%; ApEn 34.5%, 32.3%; DFA α 4.9%, 5.0%. Clinically-significant absolute-asymmetry prevalence was (right/left, dominant/nondominant): CV 43.8%, 43.8%; ApEn 62.5%, 50.0%; DFA α 0.0%, 0.0%.Conclusions: Different side-to-side comparison methods yield different findings. Large proportions of participants demonstrated wide ranges of side-to-side absolute-asymmetries. The finding of a significant difference for the right/left DFA α comparison but not for the right/left ApEn comparison suggests that different complexity variables assess different aspects of complexity. Consideration for how side-to-side comparisons are performed (right/left, dominant/nondominant) is required. Approximate entropy and DFA α assess different aspects of complexity and both should be used alongside other traditional magnitude-based measures when studying knee neuromuscular control.

Consumer Prices for Surgical Management of End-Stage Hallux Rigidus

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 276-280
Author(s):  
Niall A. Smyth ◽  
Vaishnavi Krishnan ◽  
Johnathon R. McCormick ◽  
Jonathan R. Kaplan ◽  
Amiethab A. Aiyer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hallux Rigidus ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
First Metatarsophalangeal Joint ◽  
Consumer Prices ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
End Stage

Background. Hallux rigidus is the most prevalent arthritic condition of the foot. Treatment of end-stage disease traditionally consists of a first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis; however, the use of a synthetic cartilage implant is becoming more common. With the high prevalence of disease and implementation of new treatment modalities, health care consumers should be aware of the costs associated with management. The purpose of this study was to determine access to the cost and variability in price of first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic cartilage implantation. Methods. Forty academic centers were contacted using a standardized patient script. The patient was a 59-year-old female who had failed conservative treatment of hallux rigidus. Each institution was contacted up to 3 times in an attempt to obtain a full bundled operative quote for a first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic cartilage implantation. Results. Twenty centers (50%) provided a quote for first MTPJ arthrodesis and 15 centers (38%) provided a quote for synthetic cartilage implantation. Only 14 centers (35%) were able to provide a quote for both procedures. The mean bundled price for MTPJ arthrodesis was $21 767 (range $8417 to $39 265). The mean bundled price for synthetic cartilage implantation was $21 546 (range $4903 to $74 145). There was no statistically significant difference between the bundled price for first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic cartilage implantation. Conclusions. There was limited availability of consumer prices for first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic implantation, thus impeding health care consumers’ decision making. There was a wide range of quotes for both procedures, indicating potential cost savings. Levels of Evidence: IV, basic science

scholarly journals Reproducibility of 24 h energy expenditure measurements using a human whole body indirect calorimeter

1987 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna O. De Boer ◽  
Aren J. H. Van Es ◽  
Joop E. Vogt ◽  
Joop M. A. Van Raaij ◽  
Joseph G. A. J. Hautvast
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Weight Maintenance ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Significant Difference

1. Ten female subjects completed two similar experimental procedures (periods 1 and 2) to obtain values of reproducibility of energy intake and 24 h energy expenditure (24hEE) measurements in a whole body indirect calorimeter. The periods consisted of consumption of a provided weight-maintenance diet for 6–8 d, faeces and urine collection during the last 4 d and occupation of the calorimeter during the last 3 d. The daily routine inside the calorimeter simulated a sedentary day in normal life with some physical activity: 8 h sleep, 75 min bicycling and the remaining time spent on sedentary activities. The metabolizable energy (ME) content of the diet (14% energy as protein, 46% energy as carbohydrate, 40% energy as fat) was calculated using food tables. The actual ME intake as well as digestibility and metabolizability of the diet were obtained later by analyses of food, faeces and urine for energy. Three consecutive 24hEE measurements were performed during the stay in the calorimeter in each period. The time interval between the two periods varied from 2 to 24 months. Reproducibility was assessed at group and individual level.2. Mean digestibility and metabolizability of the diet showed no significant difference between periods. The within-subject coefficient of variation of metabolizability between periods was 1.7%.3. Mean 24hEE (MJ) over 3 d did not differ between period 1 (8.78 (SD 0.63)) and period 2 (8.73 (SD 0.66)). The within-subject coefficient of variation in mean 24hEE over three successive days between periods was 3.1% but decreased, after deletion of values for subjects who were less adapted to the calorimeter, to 1.9%.4. The results are discussed with regard to length of trial and the number of subjects required to test a difference in energy metabolism using whole body indirect calorimeters.

scholarly journals Estimation of daily dietary fluoride intake: 3-d food diaryv. 2-d duplicate plate

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (12) ◽  
pp. 2103-2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Omid ◽  
A. Maguire ◽  
W. T. O’Hare ◽  
F. V. Zohoori
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Food Diary ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Diary Method ◽  
Acid Diffusion ◽  
Typical Error ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dietary Data

AbstractThe 3-d food diary method (3-d FD) or the 2-d duplicate plate (2-d DP) method have been used to measure dietary fluoride (F) intake by many studies. This study aimed to compare daily dietary F intake (DDFI) estimated by the 3-d FD and 2-d DP methods at group and individual levels. Dietary data for sixty-one healthy children aged 4–6 years were collected using 3-d FD and 2-d DP methods with a 1-week gap between each collection. Food diary data were analysed for F using the Weighed Intake Analysis Software Package, whereas duplicate diets were analysed by an acid diffusion method using an F ion-selective electrode. Pairedttest and linear regression were used to compare dietary data at the group and individual levels, respectively. At the group level, mean DDFI was 0·025 (sd0·016) and 0·028 (sd0·013) mg/kg body weight (bw) per d estimated by 3-d FD and 2-d DP, respectively. No statistically significant difference (P=0·10) was observed in estimated DDFI by each method at the group level. At an individual level, the agreement in estimating F intake (mg/kg bw per d) using the 3-d FD method compared with the 2-d DP method was within ±0·011 (95 % CI 0·009, 0·013) mg/kg bw per d. At the group level, DDFI data obtained by either the 2-d DP method or the 3-d FD method can be replaced. At an individual level, the typical error and the narrow margin between optimal and excessive F intake suggested that the DDFI data obtained by one method cannot replace the dietary data estimated from the other method.

scholarly journals Active Navigation in Virtual Environments Benefits Spatial Memory in Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Meade ◽  
John Meade ◽  
Hélène Sauzeon ◽  
Myra Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Button Press ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Memory Accuracy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Processing Abilities ◽  
Starting Location ◽  
Guided Tour ◽  
Active Exploration

We investigated age differences in memory for spatial routes that were either actively or passively encoded. A series of virtual environments were created and presented to 20 younger (Mean age = 19.71) and 20 older (Mean age = 74.55) adults, through a cardboard viewer. During encoding, participants explored routes presented within city, park, and mall virtual environments, and were later asked to re-trace their travelled routes. Critically, participants encoded half the virtual environments by passively viewing a guided tour along a pre-selected route, and half through active exploration with volitional control of their movements by using a button press on the viewer. During retrieval, participants were placed in the same starting location and asked to retrace the previously traveled route. We calculated the percentage overlap in the paths travelled at encoding and retrieval, as an indicator of spatial memory accuracy, and examined various measures indexing individual differences in their cognitive approach and visuo-spatial processing abilities. Results showed that active navigation, compared to passive viewing during encoding, resulted in a higher accuracy in spatial memory, with the magnitude of this memory enhancement being significantly larger in older than in younger adults. Regression analyses showed that age and score on the Hooper Visual Organizational test predicted spatial memory accuracy, following the passive and active encoding of routes. The model predicting accuracy following active encoding additionally included the distance of stops from an intersection as a significant predictor, illuminating a cognitive approach that specifically contributes to memory benefits in following active navigation. Results suggest that age-related deficits in spatial memory can be reduced by active encoding.

scholarly journals Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: a 24-week matched case control study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pearson ◽  
Harry Prapavessis ◽  
Christopher Higgins ◽  
Robert Petrella ◽  
Lauren White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements. Methods A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1–12; intervention: weeks 13–24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week). Results The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age = 32 yrs.; % female = 64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p < 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2 = 0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day. Conclusion Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.

scholarly journals Does time inconsistency differ between gain and loss? An intra-personal comparison using a non-parametric elicitation method

2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-452
Author(s):  
Shotaro Shiba ◽  
Kazumi Shimizu
Keyword(s):  
Parametric Method ◽  
Time Inconsistency ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Present Bias ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Gain And Loss ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Non Parametric

Abstract Several studies on time preference have found time inconsistency in both gain and loss preferences. However, the relationship between the two within the same person remains unclear; that is, does an individual who demonstrates time inconsistency for gain outcomes do so for losses as well? This paper reports on individuals’ time inconsistency for gains and losses in a laboratory setting. To obtain a precise comparison of individuals’ time inconsistency for gains and losses, we used Rohde’s “DI (decreasing impatience)-index” (Manag Sci 65(4):1700–1716, 2018) and measured the level of time inconsistency, rather than merely identifying whether TI was present. This index represents how strongly a person exhibits present bias, and easily extends to the comparison between gain and loss preferences within the same person. Further, it allows the experiment to test for so-called future bias, which has been a focus area in recent time inconsistency literature. It is elicited through a non-parametric method, which avoids any specification errors in the analysis. Our findings are as follows: first, we found future bias in preferences for not only gains but also losses, and we confirmed that this tendency is consistent with previous findings on preferences for gains. Second, a positive correlation between time inconsistency for gains and losses was found at the individual level. Indeed, we could not find a significant difference between the two in most cases.

Quality of life (QL) of patients (pts) treated for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) with radiotherapy (RT) +/- chemotherapy (CT) in the BC2001 trial (CRUK/01/004): Analysis of impact of treatment at an individual level.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 292-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Anthony Huddart ◽  
Emma Hall ◽  
Miguel Miranda ◽  
Malcolm Crundwell ◽  
Peter Jenkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Similar Proportion ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Change Scores ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

292 Background: BC2001 showed that adding 5FU+MMC CT (cRT) to RT significantly improved locoregional disease free survival [James 2012] & using reduced high dose volume RT (RHDVRT) rather than standard RT (stRT) did not reduce late side effects [Huddart 2013]. Here we report the impact of treatment on QL at the individual level. Methods: 458 (pts) were randomised to RT (178) vs. cRT (182) (CT comparison) &/or to stRT (108) vs. RHDVRT (111) (RT comparison). Pts completed Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder (FACT-BL) questionnaires at baseline (bl), end of treatment (EoT), 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 & 60 months (m). Mean changes from bl were compared between randomised groups. A minimal clinically relevant change from bl score was defined as 3 points in bladder cancer subscale (BLCS) & 7 points in total FACT-BL (TOTAL). The proportion of pts with an improvement, no difference & worsening at 12m were compared by Chi squared/Fishers exact test (1% significance). Results: Data were available for 331 (92%) & 204 (93%) pts at bl & 181 (50%) & 107 (49%) at 12m for the CT & RT comparison respectively. QL scores were significantly reduced at EoT but recovered to bl levels by 12m with no significant difference in TOTAL or BLCS mean change scores between randomised groups. By EoT ~60% pts reported worsening of QL. At 12m & beyond, whilst mean change scores were not different to bl, ~30-40% reported worsening of QL (-) with a similar proportion reporting an improvement (+) (Table 1). No statistically significant differences were found between randomised groups. Conclusions: Following (c)RT a significant proportion of pts have a decline in QL at EoT but after 12m overall QL is, on average, similar to bl. At an individual level approximately equal proportions of pts report an improvement in QL as report a worsening. There is no evidence of additional impairment in QL by the addition of CT to RT. Clinical trial information: ISRCTN6832433. [Table: see text]

The acquisition of spoken forms and written words

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorthe Bleses ◽  
Pia Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Written Language ◽  
Spelling Errors ◽  
Written Narratives ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Reduced Forms ◽  
Qualitative Analyses

The present study examines the complex interactions between the spoken and the written language in twenty Funish children’s oral and written narratives and a read out task. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. First, a comparison of the distribution of the reduction phenomena in the children’s language across the two spoken conditions was made. The second analysis looked at the distribution of spelling errors in the written narratives with respect to sound and reduction related errors both at a general and individual level. Finally, a qualitative analysis of three children’s distribution of the large weak class was performed to evaluate a possible interaction between the children’s three registers: spontaneous speech, reading and writing. The results indicated that (a) there was a significant difference in the distribution of forms across the two spoken modalities, e.g. schwa-assimilations and schwa-drop and Funish forms occurred less in the read out condition than in the spoken narratives; (b) spelling errors were predominately sound related and could be explained as either related to the opaque phoneme to grapheme relation in Danish or to reduction phenomena in the children’s own language; (c) furthermore, there was a significant correlation between spelling errors and a high frequency of reduced forms in the read out condition indicating a close relation between these two modalities.

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