Recommendations Regarding Use of the Term "Ignore" in Applied Behavior Analysis

Ignore is a common term used in behavioral assessment, behavior intervention plans, textbooks, and research articles. In the present article, we recommend against the typical usage of the term in most applications of behavior analysis. First, we briefly outline some history of the use of the term in behavior analysis. Then, we describe six main concerns about ignore and the implications for its continued use. Finally, we address each of these concerns with proposed solutions, such as alternatives to the use of ignore.

Posterior wall fractures associated with both-column acetabular fractures can be skilfully ignored

INTRODUCTION

Posterior wall fractures may be associated with both-column acetabular fractures. Considering the differences in the pattern of these fractures in contrast to isolated posterior wall fractures, it is currently unclear whether they can be ignored or need to be addressed surgically.

HYPOTHESIS

Stable posterior wall fractures can be skilfully ignored in patients with both-column acetabular fractures operated by an ilioinguinal approach.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 49 consecutive patients who were treated for both-column acetabular fractures between the years 2009 and 2018. Considering the association of posterior wall fractures, we divided the cohort into two groups: Group 1 (n=29): absence of posterior wall fractures; and Group 2 (n=20): presence of posterior wall fractures, subsequently treated while skilfully ignoring stable posterior wall fracture according to our criteria. Intergroup comparison of radiologic and clinical outcomes and multiple linear regression for predictors of clinical outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

No significant intergroup difference in quality of reduction, post-traumatic osteoarthritis grade, or clinical outcome was noted. Poor post-traumatic osteoarthritis grade and poor quality of reduction of both acetabular columns were significant predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with both-column acetabular fractures. Whether posterior wall fracture was associated and skilfully ignored was unrelated to clinical outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Posterior wall fractures associated with both-column acetabular fractures can be successfully ignored if the posterior wall fragment is adequately attached to the acetabulum through the labrocapsular complex of the hip joint, and the hip-joint-congruency in the presence of<2-mm step-off and 3-mm gap.

LEVEL OF PROOF

III, prognostic.

Cortical ensemble activity discriminates auditory attentional states

Selective attention modulates sensory cortical activity. It remains unclear how auditory cortical activity represents stimuli that differ behaviorally. We designed a cross-modality task in which mice made decisions to obtain rewards based on attended visual or auditory stimuli. We recorded auditory cortical activity in behaving mice attending to, ignoring, or passively hearing auditory stimuli. Engaging in the task bidirectionally modulates neuronal responses to the auditory stimuli in both the attended and ignored conditions compared to passive hearing. Neuronal ensemble activity in response to stimuli under attended, ignored and passive conditions are readily distinguishable. Furthermore, ensemble activity under attended and ignored conditions are in closer states compared to passive condition, and they share a component of attentional modulation which drives them to the same direction in the population activity space. Our findings suggest that the ignored condition is very different from the passive condition, and the auditory cortical sensory processing under ignored, attended and passive conditions are modulated differently.