73 Artificial incubation of resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) eggs

The scientific literature lacks information regarding the incubation conditions and hatching success of the resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno). Jesús Estudillo López, founder of the El Nido aviary, was the first to succeed with quetzal reproduction in captivity. Quetzals do not typically reproduce in captivity and the aim of this study was to increase fecundity through artificial incubation. Over a 3-year period (Yr1, Yr2, and Yr3), data about quetzal eggs, artificial incubation, and diet were recorded for 3 quetzal pairs (ranging from ~4-12 years old, with females ~4-8 years old). Eggs were manually collected from artificial nests and egg substitution was utilised. Quetzals can continue laying eggs up to 8 times with egg substitution. Eggs were weighed and placed into an 80W incubator (INCA 200®, DMP Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel) with an automatic egg turner. The eggs were incubated for 17 to 18 days at 37.2 to 37.6°C with a relative humidity of 20 to 40%. Fisher’s exact test (2-tailed, α=0.05) was used for statistical analyses comparing the numbers of eggs hatched, infertile eggs, and eggs experiencing embryonic death for the study period. Eggs were candled on Day 3 to determine fertility by the presence of a darker area with vasculogenesis. Hatchability (%) was determined by dividing the total number of offspring hatched by the total number of eggs deemed fertile after candling. All of the eggs that did not hatch were opened at the end of the incubation period to detect early embryo death. A total of 27 quetzal eggs [mean weight (g)=17.3, s.d.=1.2] were incubated over 3 years, of which 10 (~37%) hatched, with 3 (30%) fledging and surviving to adulthood. Six of the eggs (~22%) suffered embryonic mortality during incubation, whereas 11 eggs were infertile (~41%). Hatchability over the study period was 62.5% (10/16). During Yr1 and Yr2 two eggs hatched each year, and compared with the 6 eggs that hatched in Yr3, a noteworthy but not significant difference was observed (Yr1v. Yr2, P=1; Yr1v. Yr3, P=0.188; Yr2v. Yr3, P=0.170). Embryonic death of the eggs was also not significantly different between the years (Yr1v. Yr2, P=1; Yr1v. Yr3, P=0.314; Yr2v. Yr3, P=0.303). However, the number of infertile eggs was significantly different between Yr1v. Yr3 (P=0.007) and Yr2v. Yr3 (P=0.003), but not Yr1v. Yr2 (P=1). During Yr1 and Yr2 the diet consisted of fruit (aguacatillo, banana, and papaya) and a mouse pup once a week. In Yr3 the diet was modified to include blueberry and a commercial food for Tucans (Mazuri®; https://www.mazuri.com/) and a new quetzal pair was added. The modified diet will continue to be used given that there were fewer infertile eggs. However, future research will need to be conducted to elucidate which variables specifically contribute to better hatching results. The results of this study demonstrate an assisted reproductive technique for quetzals that can benefit conservation efforts for this species.

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37 In vitro maturation and fertilization in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) oocytes vitrified with trehalose or sucrose

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv32n2ab37 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 144

Author(s):

V. A. Rubio-Santillanes ◽

J. Antillón-Ruiz ◽

F. A. Rodríguez-Almeida ◽

S. Romo ◽

H. Álvarez-Gallardo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Germinal Vesicle ◽

Future Research ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Oocyte Vitrification ◽

Exact Test ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Production Techniques ◽

Epidermal Growth ◽

Humidified Air

White-tailed deer (WTD) invitro embryo production is not well documented, due to the seasonality of the wildlife species and available hunting permits. The objective of the present study was to conduct IVM and IVF using WTD oocytes vitrified with trehalose (TH) or sucrose (SC). A total of 121 immature oocytes were obtained from ovaries (n=18) using the slicing technique from hunter-slaughtered deer, not more than 2h after death. The WTD oocytes were vitrified using a solid surface vitrification technique in two different groups: 1) TH (n=60) and 2) SC (n=61). Oocyte warming (OW) was done using four concentrations (OW1 1 M, OW2 0.5 M, OW3 0.25 M, and OW4 0 M) in the oocytes after thawing. Then, a sample was used to evaluate viability for TH (n=5) and SC (n=5) (MTT stain (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), 0.5mgmL−1) and nuclear status (NS) for TH (n=4) and SC (n=5) with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (1μgmL−1), defining the stage as germinal vesicle (GV), MI, and unable to evaluate (NE). The remaining oocytes (n=88) were used for IVM for 36h in tissue culture medium-199 supplemented with human menopausal hormone (75 UImL−1) and epidermal growth factor (10ngmL−1). The evaluation of NS was defined (GV, MI considered immature and MII matured). The IVF (n=15) took place in Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate media supplemented with heparin (10μgmL−1), penicillamine (0.075mgmL−1), hypotaurine (10M), epinephrine (1μM), and bovine serum albumin fraction V (0.4%), with a final semen concentration of 3×106 spermmL−1. Frozen straws of conventional WTD semen were used; the straws were split into 3 parts, with one fraction thawed and capacitated using “swim-up” technique. After 24h of incubation at 38.5°C with 5% CO2, and humidified air, nuclear evaluation was made as fertilized (F), not fertilized (NF), or NE. A Fisher exact test was used (SAS, 9.0 version for Windows), α=0.05. After warming, for the TH group (n=5), viability was 60% and nuclear status (n=4) was 50% GV, 50% MI, and 0% NE. For the SC group (n=5), viability was 40% and nuclear status (n=5) was 60% GV, 20% MI, and 20% NE. After 36h IVM, NS evaluation in the TH group (n=38) was 66% GV, 24% MI, 0% MII, and 10% NE; for the SC group (n=50), 84% GV, 10% MI, 2% MII, and 4% NE, not a statistically significant difference (P>0.05). For IVF after 24h, the NS evaluation in the TH treatment (n=10) was 0% F, 60% NF, and 40% NE versus the SC treatment (n=5) with 20% F, 40% NF, and 40% NE, not a statistically significant difference (P>0.05). A statistically significant difference (P>0.05) was not found between the TH and SC groups with regard to post-thaw viability, IVM, and IVF. Future research with larger numbers of immature or mature oocytes is suggested for further evaluation of both TH and SC for WTD oocyte vitrification for use with invitro-production techniques as a model for other endangered cervid species.

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88 Evaluation of embryo transfer results using embryos cryopreserved in ethylene glycol for 8 years or in glycerol for 30 years

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv31n1ab88 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 170

Author(s):

C. Acevedo ◽

S. Romo ◽

C. López ◽

A. Cortes-Mcnealy ◽

M. I. Cruz-González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethylene Glycol ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Liquid Nitrogen ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

Animal Health ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Future Research ◽

Embryo Viability ◽

Exact Test ◽

Significant Difference

Various permeating cryoprotectants, such as glycerol and ethylene glycol, have been used in the cryopreservation of embryos to help maintain cellular viability during indefinite and prolonged periods of storage in liquid nitrogen. The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of glycerol (G) and ethylene glycol (EG) after storage in liquid nitrogen for a considerable period of time before transfer. The work was carried out in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. A total of 50 embryos were transferred, 24 Brahman (G) cryopreserved in the 1990s and 26 Brangus (EG) cryopreserved in 2010. Synchronous recipients were selected based on 3 characteristics: body condition (5-7, scale of 1-9), reproductive health, and multiparity. Recipient cows (n=62) were synchronized using a FTET protocol as follows. On Day 0, cows received a progesterone intravaginal device (CIDR) and 2mg of oestradiol benzoate IM. On day 8, the CIDR was removed and all cows received 25mg of dinoprost tromethamine (Lutalyse, Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, Quebec, Canada), 200IU of eCG, and 0.5mg oestradiol cipionate IM. Day 10 was considered the day of oestrus and embryos were transferred (n=50) to the ipsilateral uterine horn of those recipients with a corpus luteum greater than 1.5cm in diameter on Day 17. The G embryos were produced with 4 bulls whereas the EG embryos were produced with 6 different bulls. The G straws were thawed for 12s in the air plus 12s in 20°C water. Embryos were immersed for 8min in a thawing solution containing 1.0M sucrose (ViGRO One-Step) and then transferred to holding medium (ViGRO Holding) for rehydration before loading into straws for embryo transfer. The EG embryos were thawed by allowing the straws to stand in air for 10s and then immersing them in a 30°C water bath for 10s and were transferred immediately. Pregnancy diagnosis 35 days after the transfer revealed 19 pregnancies of 50 embryos transferred (38%), distributed as 46% embryos in EG (12 pregnant of 26 transferred) and 29% embryos in G (7 pregnant of 24). A Fisher’s exact test was performed showing that no significant difference existed between groups (P>0.05). There was no effect of bull on pregnancy rates, and Brahman breed results by individual bull were 5 pregnancies of 13 (38%), 2 of 6 (33%), 0 of 4 (0%), and 0 of 1 (0%) for bulls I to IV, respectively. Pregnancy rate by Brangus bulls were 6 pregnancies of 7 (86%), 2 of 3 (67%), 2 of 4 (50%), 2 of 4 (50%), 0 of 4 (0%), and 0 of 3 (0%) for bulls 1 to 6, respectively. It is important to remember that the embryos cryopreserved in G remained in the nitrogen tank for more than 30 years, whereas the embryos cryopreserved in EG remained stored in liquid nitrogen for less than 10 years. Although pregnancy rate was numerically lower with Brahman embryos stored in G, pregnancy rates were considered acceptable considering the length of storage. Future research is needed with greater numbers and different breeds to determine whether G or EG will consistently produce higher embryo viability and pregnancies after storage for considerable periods before transfer.

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Success Rate of Obturation of Root Canals by Different Techniques in Primary Molars: A Comparative Clinical Study

Current Dentistry ◽

10.2174/2542579x02999200503032916 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 36-44

Author(s):

Satyawan G. Damle ◽

Ritika Bansal ◽

Dhanashree D. Sakhare

Keyword(s):

Success Rate ◽

Study Groups ◽

Primary Molars ◽

Control Group ◽

Second Primary ◽

Chi Square ◽

Exact Test ◽

Root Canals ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Comparative Clinical Study

Objective: To compare the success rate of different obturation procedures in primary mandibular second molars clinically and also by digital radiovisiography. Methods: A total of 40 children aged between 4-8 years with deeply carious mandibular second primary molars indicated for single session pulpectomy were selected. Canals were obturated with Metapex. The 3 study groups (Endodontic plugger, Handheld lentulospiral, Navi Tip syringe) were compared with the control group (reamer) both clinically and radiovisiographically. The data collected were statistically analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The use of Navi tip syringe led to the least number of voids followed by Endodontic plugger and Reamer and the highest number of voids was reported with Lentulospiral. Navitip presented maximum number of optimally filled cases followed by Endodontic plugger and Lentulospiral and least number of optimally filled cases with reamer. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in any of the groups with clinical (pain and tenderness to percussion) and radiographic parameters (presence or absence of voids and length of obturation). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, though the clinical outcome was statistically insignificant, Navitip syringe exhibited encouraging results and is a promising option for obturation in primary teeth.

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COVD-26. TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS IN NEURO-ONCOLOGY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: LEVELS OF PATIENT SATISFACTION AND COMPARISON WITH TRADITIONAL FACE-TO-FACE CONSULTATIONS

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii26-ii26

Author(s):

Emma Toman ◽

Claire Goddard ◽

Frederick Berki ◽

William Garratt ◽

Teresa Scott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽

Telephone Consultation ◽

Exact Test ◽

Face To Face ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Face ◽

The University

Abstract INTRODUCTION Controversy exists as to whether telephone clinics are appropriate in neurosurgical-oncology. The COVID-19 pandemic forced neuro-oncology services worldwide to re-design and at the University Hospitals Birmingham UK, telephone clinics were quickly implemented in select patients to limit numbers of patients attending hospital. It was important to determine how these changes were perceived by patients. METHODS A 20-question patient satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to patients who attended neuro-oncology clinic in person (“face-to-face”), or via the telephone. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine significance, which was set at p< 0.05. RESULTS Eighty questionnaires were distributed between June 2020 and August 2020. Overall, 50% (n=40) of patients returned the questionnaire, 50% (n=23) of face-to-face and 50% (n=17) telephone patients. Of those who received telephone consultations, 88% (n=15) felt the consultation was convenient, 88% (n=15) were satisfied with their consultation and 18% (n=3) felt they would have preferred to have a face-to-face appointment. Of those who attended clinic in person, 96% (n=22) felt their consultation was convenient, 100% (n=23) were satisfied with their consultation and 13% (n=3) would have preferred a telephone consultation. Within the face-to-face clinic attendees, only 13% (n=3) were concerned regarding the COVID risk associated with attending hospital. There was no significant difference in patient convenience or satisfaction (p=0.565 and p=0.174 respectively) between face-to-face and telephone clinics. There was no significant difference in whether patients would’ve preferred the alternative method of consultation (p > 0.999). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that careful patient selection for neuro-oncology telephone clinic is not inferior to face-to-face clinic. Telephone clinic during COVID-19 pandemic proved to be convenient, safe and effective. This global health crisis has transformed telephone neuro-oncology consultations from an experimental innovation into established practice and should be continued beyond the pandemic in select cases.

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AB0009 ASSOCIATION OF STAT4 RS7574865, RUNX1 RS9979383, IL6 RS1800795, IL6R RS2228145, IL6R RS4845618 WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS SUSCEPTIBILITY AND SOME LUPUS MANIFESTATIONS IN BELARUSIAN POPULATION

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2523 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1039.2-1040

Author(s):

N. Dostanko ◽

V. Yagur ◽

R. Goncharova ◽

E. Siniauskaya ◽

T. Zybalova

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽

Protective Role ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Exact Test ◽

American College Of Rheumatology ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Significant Difference

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a significant genetic predisposition. Many genetic variants of susceptibility to SLE have been published and analyzed, but the clinical and functional significance of the various genotypes has not yet been clearly defined [1].Objectives:To estimate the association between some of non-HLA gene polymorphisms such as STAT4 rs7574865, RUNX1 rs9979383, IL6 rs1800795, IL6R rs2228145, IL6R rs4845618 and susceptibility to SLE in Belarusian population as well as some disease manifestations.Methods:We examined 383 healthy blood donors and 54 SLE patients (18-72 years old, median age 35) classified according to the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) revised classification criteria [2]. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from peripheral blood samples by phenol-chloroform method. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR with fluorescent probes. Differences of distribution of all the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and their associations with secondary antiphospholipid syndrom (APS) and lupus arthritis were analyzed using Pearson χ2 (χ2) and two-way Fisher exact test (F, p2-t). Diagnostic odds ratio (dOR), likelihood ratio of positive (LR +) and negative (LR –) tests and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated.Results:We revealed significant difference in STAT4 rs7574865 genotypes in SLE patients and healthy donors (χ2=8,27, р=0,016) with significant increase of ТТ genotype frequency in SLE patients vs healthy donors (χ2=6.83 p=0.009; p2-t =0.020; dOR=3.78 (CI95% 1.36-10.55); LR+ =3.44 (CI95% 1.35-8.71); LR– =0.91 (CI95% 0.83-0.98)). Lupus arthritis was more common in risk TT-genotype SLE carriers than in other SLE patients (χ2=5.902 p=0.015; p2-t =0.027).We revealed significant increase of СТ genotype (RUNX1 rs9979383) in healthy donors vs SLE patients (χ2=4.14; p=0.042; dOR=0.53 (CI95% 0.29-0.98); LR+ =0.69 (CI95% 0.45-0.99); LR– =1.3 (CI95% 1.01-1,56)). Lupus arthritis was more common in SLE СТ-genotype carriers than in other SLE patients (χ2=4.66 p=0.031; p2-t =0.058).Significant differences in IL6 rs1800795, IL6R rs2228145 and IL6R rs4845618 genotypes distribution between studied groups were not found (χ2, p=0.427, p=0.559 and p=0.407, correspondingly) but GG-genotype (IL6 rs1800795) carriership in SLE patients was associated with increased APS frequency (χ2=4.45, p=0.035; dOR=0.19 (CI95% 0.04-0.9); LR+ =0.28 (CI95% 0.07-0.93); LR– =1.41 (CI95% 1.03-1.64).Conclusion:Our data suggest the susceptibility to SLE in ТТ genotype of STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism, protective role of СТ genotype of RUNX1 rs9979383 for SLE and association between GG-genotype of IL6 rs1800795 and APS in SLE patients in Belarusian population. Lupus arthritis was associated with ТТ genotype of STAT4 rs7574865 and СТ genotype of RUNX1 rs9979383.References:[1]Chen L, Morris DL, Vyse TJ. Genetic advances in systemic lupus erythematosus: an update. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2017;29:423–33.[2]Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology Revised Criteria for the classification of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1997;40:1725.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Mask-Making and Drawing as Method: Arts-Based Approaches to Data Collection With War-Affected Children

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406919832479 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 160940691983247

Author(s):

Amber Green ◽

Myriam Denov

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Research Team ◽

Data Gathering ◽

Research Process ◽

Future Research ◽

Northern Uganda ◽

Visual Methods ◽

Conflict Zones ◽

Mask Making ◽

In Captivity

Globally, the numbers of children living in conflict zones and displaced by war have risen dramatically over the past two decades, and with this, scholarly attention to the impacts of war on children. More recently, researchers have examined how war-affected children are being studied, revealing important shortcomings. These limitations relate to the lack of child participation in research, the need for researchers to engage children in the research process as “active agents” rather than “passive objects” under study, as well as the need for researchers to pay closer attention to ethical dilemmas associated with researching war-affected children. To address these realities, innovative research methods that can be adapted across diverse sociocultural contexts are warranted. In light of these shortcomings, our research team integrated two arts-based methods: mask-making and drawing, alongside traditional qualitative data collection methods with a particularly marginalized population of young people: children born in captivity within the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda. In this article, we provide information on the context of northern Uganda. We describe how the use of mask-making and drawing was used as data gathering tools and the ways in which these arts-based methods had important benefits for the research participants, researchers, and impacted on the validity of the research as a whole. We propose that the use of these participatory visual methods enriched the themes elicited through more traditional methods. The article describes how these arts-based mediums fostered community building among children typically excluded from their communities and were successful as a tool to build trust between participants and the research team when exploring sensitive topics. The article concludes with implications for future research with war-affected children.

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Detection of AZF microdeletions and reproductive hormonal profile analysis of infertile sudanese men pursuing assisted reproductive approaches

BMC Urology ◽

10.1186/s12894-021-00834-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hassan Osman Alhassan Elsaid ◽

Tarteel Gadkareim ◽

Tagwa Abobakr ◽

Eiman Mubarak ◽

Mehad A. Abdelrhem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Y Chromosome ◽

Klinefelter Syndrome ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Male Factor ◽

Exact Test ◽

Fisher's Exact Test ◽

Infertile Men ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Fisher’S Exact Test

Abstract Background Male factor is the major contributor in roughly half of infertility cases. Genetic factors account for 10–15% of male infertility. Microdeletions of azoospermia factors (AZF) on the Yq region are the second most frequent spermatogenesis disorder among infertile men after Klinefelter syndrome. We detected in our previous study a frequency of 37.5% AZF microdeletions which investigated mainly the AZFb and AZFc. We attempted in this study for the first time to evaluate the frequencies of all AZF sub-regions microdeletions and to analyze reproductive hormonal profiles in idiopathic cases of azoospermic and oligozoospermic men from Sudan. Methods A group of 51 medically fit infertile men were subjected to semen analysis. Four couples have participated in this study as a control group. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO criteria by professionals at Elsir Abu-Elhassan Fertility Centre where samples have been collected. We detected 12 STSs markers of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of reproductive hormone levels including Follicle Stimulating, Luteinizing, and Prolactin hormones was performed using ELISA. Comparisons between outcome groups were performed using Student’s t-test Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Results AZF microdeletion was identified in 16 out of 25 Azoospermic and 14 out of 26 of the Oligozoospermic. Microdeletion in the AZFa region was the most frequent among the 30 patients (N = 11) followed by AZFc, AZFd (N = 4 for each) and AZFb (N = 3). Among the Oligozoospermic participants, the most frequent deletions detected were in the AZFa region (N = 10 out of 14) and was significantly associated with Oligozoospermic phenotype, Fisher's Exact Test (2-sided) p = 0.009. Among the Azoospermic patients, the deletion of the AZFc region was the most frequent (N = 9 out of 16) and was significantly associated with Azoospermia phenotype Fisher's Exact Test p = 0.026. There was a significant difference in Y chromosome microdeletion frequency between the two groups. The hormonal analysis showed that the mean levels of PRL, LH, and FSH in Azoospermic patients were slightly higher than those in oligozoospermic. A weak negative correlation between prolactin higher level and Azoospermic patients was detected. (AZFa r = 0.665 and 0.602, p = 0.000 and 0.0004, AZFb r = 0.636 and 0.409, p = 0.000 and 0.025, and AZFd r = 0.398 and 0.442, p = 0.029 and 0.015). The correlation was positive for AZFa and negative for AZFb and AZFd. Conclusions We concluded in this study that the incidences of microdeletions of the Y chromosome confined to AZF a, b, c and d regions is 58.8% in infertile subjects with 31.4% were Azoospermic and 27.5% were Oligozoospermic. This might provide a piece of evidence that these specified regions of the Y chromosome are essential for controlling spermatogenesis. These findings will be useful for genetic counseling within infertility clinics in Sudan and to adopt appropriate methods for assisted reproduction.

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Stock Market Reaction to COVID-19: Evidence in Customer Goods Sector with the Implication for Open Innovation

Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity ◽

10.3390/joitmc6040099 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 99

Author(s):

Zaky Machmuddah ◽

St. Dwiarso Utomo ◽

Entot Suhartono ◽

Shujahat Ali ◽

Wajahat Ali Ghulam

Keyword(s):

Stock Prices ◽

Stock Price ◽

Practical Implication ◽

Efficient Market Hypothesis ◽

Future Research ◽

Observation Data ◽

Economic Sectors ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Long Term Impact

The coronavirus pandemic has spread all over the world, affecting both the health and economic sectors. The aim of this research was to observe stock prices of customer goods before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using event study and the comparison test. The sample included data of daily closing stock prices and volume of stock trade during the three months before (−90 days) and after (+90 days) the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, totaling 2670 observation data both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, for a total of 5340. The research findings indicate a significant difference between the daily closing stock price and volume of stock trade before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The current research has both theoretical and practical implications: the findings strengthen the efficient market hypothesis, which states that the more complete the provided information, the more efficient the market. The practical implication is that investors should be careful when choosing to invest. Investors should choose customer goods sector companies that provide products that are much needed by customers, for example, pharmacy, food, beverages, etc. Future research is needed to investigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on the economy.

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Numerical assessment in the wild: insights from social carnivores

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2016.0508 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 373 (1740) ◽

pp. 20160508 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Sarah Benson-Amram ◽

Geoff Gilfillan ◽

Karen McComb

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Future Research ◽

Wild Animals ◽

Playback Experiments ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Numerical Assessment ◽

Individual Discrimination ◽

In Captivity ◽

Assessment Skills ◽

In The Wild

Playback experiments have proved to be a useful tool to investigate the extent to which wild animals understand numerical concepts and the factors that play into their decisions to respond to different numbers of vocalizing conspecifics. In particular, playback experiments have broadened our understanding of the cognitive abilities of historically understudied species that are challenging to test in the traditional laboratory, such as members of the Order Carnivora. Additionally, playback experiments allow us to assess the importance of numerical information versus other ecologically important variables when animals are making adaptive decisions in their natural habitats. Here, we begin by reviewing what we know about quantity discrimination in carnivores from studies conducted in captivity. We then review a series of playback experiments conducted with wild social carnivores, including African lions, spotted hyenas and wolves, which demonstrate that these animals can assess the number of conspecifics calling and respond based on numerical advantage. We discuss how the wild studies complement those conducted in captivity and allow us to gain insights into why wild animals may not always respond based solely on differences in quantity. We then consider the key roles that individual discrimination and cross-modal recognition play in the ability of animals to assess the number of conspecifics vocalizing nearby. Finally, we explore new directions for future research in this area, highlighting in particular the need for further work on the cognitive basis of numerical assessment skills and experimental paradigms that can be effective in both captive and wild settings. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The origins of numerical abilities’.

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Clinical benefits, referral practice and cost implications of an in-hospital pain service: results of a service evaluation in a London teaching hospital

British Journal of Pain ◽

10.1177/2049463716673667 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 36-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Maya Sussman ◽

Elizabeth Goodier ◽

Izabella Fabri ◽

Jessica Borrowman ◽

Sarah Thomas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Pain Management ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Service Evaluation ◽

Rank Test ◽

Future Research ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Referral Practice

Background: In-hospital pain services (IPS) are commonplace, but evidence of efficacy is inadequate, and patients’ pain management in any hospital ward remains problematic. This service evaluation aimed to measure the effect of a contemporary IPS, its appropriate use and cost-efficacy. Methods: Records of 249 adults reviewed by the IPS in an inner London Teaching Hospital over an 8-month period were analysed for demographic data, interventions, workload and change in pain intensity measured by numerical rating scale (NRS). Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate differences between initial and final NRS. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used to create a correlation matrix to evaluate associations between all identified independent variables with the change in NRS. All strongly correlated variables (ρ > 0.5) were subsequently included in a binary logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of pain resolution greater than 50% NRS and improvement rather than deterioration or no change in NRS. Finally, referral practice and cost of inappropriate referrals were estimated. Referrals were thought to be inappropriate when pain was not optimised by the referring team; they were identified using a set algorithm. Results: Initial median NRS and final median NRS were significantly different when a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to the whole cohort; Z = –5.5 (p = 0.000). Subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the ‘mild’ pain group; z = –1.1 (p = 0.253). Regression analysis showed that for every unit increase in initial NRS, there was a 62% chance of general and a 33% chance of >50% improvement in final NRS. An estimated annual cost-saving potential of £1546 to £4558 was found in inappropriate referrals and patients experiencing no benefit from the service. Discussion: Results suggest that patients with moderate to severe pain benefit most from IPS input. Also pain management resources are often distributed inefficiently. Future research is required to develop algorithms for easy identification of potential treatment responders.

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