Revisiting the effect of text complexity on Continuous Discourse Tracking using synthetic speech: Old tricks with new dogs.

Continuous Discourse Tracking (CDT) is a functional test of speech perceptual ability, which has been criticised on account of the procedural variation inherent in the method. This study sought to reduce this variation by using synthetic speech, which was subsequently vocoded to simulate listening with a cochlear implant. We also assessed the complexity of three text excerpts with auditory ( = 10) and written Cloze tests ( = 10).

Diffusion Measurements To Understand Dynamics and Structuring in Solutions Involving a Homologous Series of Ionic Liquids.

The self-diffusion coefficients of each of the components in mixtures containing pyridine and each of the homologous series 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imides in acetonitrile were determined using NMR diffusometry (i. e., Pulsed Gradient Spin Echo).

Rucaparib or Physician's Choice in Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Background: In a phase 2 study, rucaparib, an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), showed a high level of activity in patients who had metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer associated with a deleterious alteration. Data are needed to confirm and expand on the findings of the phase 2 study.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled, phase 3 trial, we enrolled patients who had metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer with a , , or alteration and who had disease progression after treatment with a second-generation androgen-receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI).

Trivalent mosaic or consensus HIV immunogens prime humoral and broader cellular immune responses in adults.

BACKGROUNDMosaic and consensus HIV-1 immunogens provide two distinct approaches to elicit greater breadth of coverage against globally circulating HIV-1 and have shown improved immunologic breadth in nonhuman primate models.METHODSThis double-blind randomized trial enrolled 105 healthy HIV-uninfected adults who received 3 doses of either a trivalent global mosaic, a group M consensus (CON-S), or a natural clade B (Nat-B) gp160 env DNA vaccine followed by 2 doses of a heterologous modified vaccinia Ankara-vectored HIV-1 vaccine or placebo. We performed prespecified blinded immunogenicity analyses at day 70 and day 238 after the first immunization.

ATP Is a Major Determinant of Phototrophic Bacterial Longevity in Growth Arrest.

How bacteria transition into growth arrest as part of stationary phase has been well-studied, but our knowledge of features that help cells to stay alive in the following days and weeks is incomplete. Most studies have used heterotrophic bacteria that are growth-arrested by depletion of substrates used for both biosynthesis and energy generation, making is difficult to disentangle the effects of the two. In contrast, when grown anaerobically in light, the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris generates ATP from light via cyclic photophosphorylation, and builds biomolecules from organic substrates, such as acetate.

Hyperextended telomeres promote C-circle formation in telomerase positive human cells.

Telomere length maintenance is crucial to cancer cell immortality. Up to 15% of cancers utilize a telomerase-independent, recombination-based mechanism termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). The primary ALT biomarker is the C-circle, a type of circular DNA with extrachromosomal telomere repeats (cECTRs).

Rapid culture-independent loop-mediated isothermal amplification detection of antimicrobial resistance markers from environmental water samples.

Environmental water is considered one of the main vehicles for the transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing an increasing threat to humans and animals health. Continuous efforts are being made to eliminate AMR; however, the detection of AMR pathogens from water samples often requires at least one culture step, which is time-consuming and can limit sensitivity. In this study, we employed comparative genomics to identify the prevalence of AMR genes within among: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella enterica and Acinetobacter, using publicly available genomes.

CLINICAL, MOLECULAR, AND EXOSOMAL MECHANISMS OF CARDIAC AND BRAIN DYSFUNCTION IN SEPSIS.

Sepsis is a complex disease resulting from a dysregulated inflammatory response to an infection. Initiation of sepsis occurs from a localized infection that disseminates to the bloodstream placing all organ systems at risk. Septic shock is classically observed to manifest itself as systemic hypotension with hyporesponsiveness to vasopressor agents.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD): A Network Analysis in a Highly Traumatized Clinical Sample.

Whether complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnoses differ substantially enough to warrant separate diagnostic classifications has been a subject of controversy for years. To contribute to the nomological network of cumulative evidence, the main goal of the present study was to explore, using network analysis, how the symptoms of ICD-11 PTSD and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) are interconnected with BPD in a clinical sample of polytraumatized individuals = 330). Participants completed measures of life events, CPTSD, and BPD.

A community-partnered approach for diversity in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.

Introduction: Communities of color have faced disproportionate morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, coupled with historical underrepresentation in US clinical trials, creating challenges for equitable participation in developing and testing a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods: To increase diversity, including racial and ethnic representation, in local Los Angeles County NIH-sponsored Phase 3 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine clinical trials, we used deliberative community engagement approaches to form a Community Consultant Panel (CCP) that partnered with trial research teams. Thirteen members were recruited, including expertise from essential workers, community-based and faith-based organizations, or leaders from racial and ethnic minority communities.

Role of Hashtags in Educating and Promoting the Field of Hand Surgery on Social Media.

Purpose: This study identifies the hand surgery content being posted on Instagram, how hashtags are being used, and those posting to determine what is reaching the public.

Methods: Top hand surgery-related hashtags on Instagram from June 2020 to August 2020 were identified by searching "hand surgery" and sorting by relevance. Hashtags were quantified by number and qualitatively assessed.

Comparing Survival Outcomes and Impact of EPIC in Patients Undergoing CRS/HIPEC for Mucinous Appendiceal Neoplasm.

Background/aim: This study sought to investigate the difference in survival outcomes in patients with complete cytoreduction (CC)-0 or CC-1 mucinous appendiceal cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). It also investigated what effect early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) may have on survival based on CC score and histology.

Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective single centre study of patients that underwent CRS/HIPEC +/- EPIC for mucinous appendiceal neoplasms from June 2003 to February 2022.

Opening the door to nitrogen fixation in oxygenic phototrophs.

Conveying biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) to photosynthetic species may be the next agricultural revolution, yet poses major engineering challenges. Liu et al. created a diazotrophic strain of a previously non-nitrogen-fixing species, the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.

Evaluating the impact of heavy metals on antimicrobial resistance in the primary food production environment: A scoping review.

Heavy metals are naturally occurring environmental compounds, which can influence antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dissemination. However, there is limited information on how heavy metals may act as a selective pressure on AMR in the primary food production environment. This review aims to examine the literature on this topic in order to identify knowledge gaps.

The impact of patient involvement on participant opinions of information sheets.

Background: Patient and public involvement (PPI) groups can provide valuable input to create more accessible study documents with less jargon. However, we don't know whether this procedure improves accessibility for potential participants.

Aims: We assessed whether participant information sheets were rated as more accessible after PPI review and which aspects of information sheets and study design were important to mental health patients compared with a control group with no mental health service use.

Characterization of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli presence, serogroups and risk factors from private groundwater sources in western Ireland.

Over recent years, Ireland has reported the highest crude incidence rates of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) enteritis in Europe. Unregulated private groundwater sources have emerged as an important potential transmission route for STEC, with up to 750,000 Irish residents reliant on these sources for domestic waters. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and serogroup profile of STEC contamination from domestic private wells in western Ireland.

Outpatient Prosthetic-Based Reconstruction during COVID-19 Pandemic Possible in Selected Patients without Increased Complications.

Background: Following the reopening of elective surgery, the authors' division transitioned from inpatient admission to same-day discharge for immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction in an effort to decrease the hospital's clinical burden and minimize potential coronavirus disease of 2019 exposure. This study aims to compare complication rates following this acute transition for patients who had inpatient and outpatient mastectomy with immediate alloplastic reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate prosthetic reconstruction.

Genetics of SLE: does this explain susceptibility and severity across racial groups?

The prevalence and severity of SLE have been found to vary across populations of different ancestries. This review explores whether these differences can be explained by the genetic aetiology of the condition. Large genetic studies suggest that populations of different ancestry share the same risk loci but individual risk alleles are more common in some, leading to a higher prevalence and severity and an earlier onset of the condition.

Efficient Synthesis for Altering Side Chain Length on Cannabinoid Molecules and Their Effects in Chemotherapy and Chemotherapeutic Induced Neuropathic Pain.

(1) Background: Recently, a number of side chain length variants for tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol have been identified in cannabis; however, the precursor to these molecules would be based upon cannabigerol (CBG). Because CBG, and its side chain variants, are rapidly converted to other cannabinoids in the plant, there are typically only small amounts in plant extracts, thus prohibiting investigations related to CBG and CBG variant therapeutic effects. (2) Methods: To overcome this, we developed an efficient synthesis of corresponding resorcinol fragments using the Wittig reaction which, under acid catalyzed coupling with geraniol, produced the desired side chain variants of CBG.

Peritoneal Oxygenation as a Novel Technique for Extrapulmonary Ventilation; A Review and Discussion of the Literature.

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the difficulties that might occur when attempting to oxygenate patients who have suffered a severe pulmonary insult, including in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Traditional mechanical ventilation (MV) is effective; however, in severe cases of hypoxia, the use of rescue therapy, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), may be required but is also associated with significant complexity and complications. In this review, we describe peritoneal oxygenation; a method of oxygenation that exploits the peritoneum's gas exchange properties in a fashion that is similar to peritoneal dialysis and has shown considerable promise in animal models.

Evidence supporting the use of a brief cognitive assessment in routine clinical assessment for psychosis.

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of psychosis. Full cognitive assessments are not often conducted in routine clinical practice as administration is time-consuming. Here, we investigated whether brief tests of cognition could be used to predict broader neurocognitive performance in a manner practical for screening use in mental health services.