The Role of Neurocognitive Tests in the Assessment of Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Despite widespread recognition that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder, optimal methods of diagnosis among adults remain elusive. Substantial overlap between ADHD symptoms and cognitive symptoms of other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and concerns about validity in symptom reporting have made the use of neuropsychological tests in ADHD diagnostic assessment appealing. However, past work exploring the potential diagnostic utility of neuropsychological tests among adults has often relied on a relatively small subset of tests, has failed to include symptom and performance validity measures, and often does not include comparison groups of participants with commonly comorbid disorders, such as depression. The current study examined the utility of an extensive neuropsychological measure battery for diagnosing ADHD among adults. Two hundred forty-six participants (109 ADHD, 52 depressed, 85 nondisordered controls) completed a multistage screening and assessment process, which included a clinical interview, self, and informant report on behavior rating scales, performance and symptom validity measures, and an extensive neuropsychological testing battery. Results indicated that measures of working memory, sustained attention, response speed, and variability best discriminated ADHD and non-ADHD participants. While single test measures provided performed poorly in identifying ADHD participants, analyses revealed that a combined approach using self and informant symptom ratings, positive family history of ADHD, and a reaction time (RT) variability measure correctly classified 87% of cases. Findings suggest that neuropsychological test measures used in conjunction with other clinical assessments may enhance prediction of adult ADHD diagnoses

Is there any benefit to adding corticosteroids to radiofrequency ablation treatments: A systemic review.

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure done for chronic pain which uses thermal energy to nociceptive pathways with the goal of disrupting pain signaling. The thermal energy leads to nervous tissue disruption using radiofrequency currents through an electrode placed near the target area. RFA has been shown to have an increase in pain reduction as well as an increase in functional ability when compared to corticosteroid injections (CSI), another common treatment for both acute and chronic pain. Many clinicians have logically combined RFA and CI together to achieve a synergistic effect. This study aims to look at the current literature available to determine if the research supports this idea. Methods: The authors independently went through the database collections of scopus, DANS easy literature, PubMed, EMBase, google scholar, and Cochrane library using free text terms in appendix 1. The inclusion criteria to be included in this paper were as follows: a direct comparison of RFA alone vs RFA w/ CSI and include a form of measure in either pain scale or functional ability in their outcomes. Literature before 2005 was not included in this paper. Each paper was assessed for their primary outcomes and an EPHPP rating was assigned to assess the quality of the paper. Results: In progress. Discussion: Radiofrequency ablation is one of the most common interventions for the treatment of pain suspected to be coming from a specific structure. In the past, this has been mostly done for chronic facet-joint pain, but peripheral nerve ablations have become more common. Radiofrequency ablation covers a wide variety of ablation techniques including pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), cooled radiofrequency ablation, and thermal radiofrequency ablation. While the modalities at which the nerve in target is ablated may differ, the end-goal remains the same; to achieve neurotomy leading to improvement in pain and possibly functional capacity. Corticosteroids are a class of medication which work like the naturally occurring hormone, cortisol, and can have strong anti-inflammatory effects. This has been proposed to be due to a decrease in inflammatory cytokines including TNFa, IL1, and other pro-inflammatory cytokines like PGE-2. They have also been found to decrease pro-inflammatory genes by inhibition of transcription factors. For this reason, they have played a standard role in the treatment of chronic joint pain. In more recent years, clinicians have logically added corticosteroids to the axial space before or after the ablation of the nerve to achieve higher rates of pain reduction. Another effect is likely a decrease in thermal lesion size. While there are no human studies analyzing this, it would be reasonable to conclude that corticosteroids have the possibility to decrease lesion size based on the already known mechanisms of actions. Importantly, the risks of the addition of corticosteroids must be weighed against the potential benefit. The goal of this study is to determine if any current literature exists that supports the addition of corticosteroids to RFA in terms of pain improvement of functional ability

Estimating Aquifer Characteristics and Identification of a Sub-Basin for Artificial Storage and Recovery, Northeastern Ivanpah Valley, Nevada

The identification of a structurally controlled sub-basin with impediments to groundwater flow within Southern Nevada could provide a favorable area for artificial recharge and storage of native or imported water, extending the water supply of Southern Nevada. For this purpose, the area of northeastern Ivanpah Valley was investigated to determine the ability of the aquifer to accept and recover stored water, if acceptable water quality existed in the potential sub-basin storage area, and if structural controls impeded and isolated groundwater flow. The results found evidence the proposed sub-basin is structurally isolated by the McCullough, Roach, and Stateline Faults, which was determined by field mapping, groundwater geochemistry, and stable and radiometric isotope data. Aquifer data of hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, specific yield, and specific capacity compiled from previous studies also indicated the northern portion of Ivanpah Valley would meet the basic requirements for artificial storage and recovery of groundwater, either via injection wells or infiltration basins. The sub-basin identified during this research was found to have degraded groundwater quality not acceptable for artificial water storage and recovery operations. Based upon the native groundwater quality of the sub-basin, artificial recharge operations in Ivanpah Valley should occur outside of the identified sub-basin within the main portions of the valley. Further hydrogeologic study is needed to understand groundwater interaction across these impediments dividing the sub-basin and the remainder of Ivanpah Valley before artificial recharge and recovery operations occur

SINGINT: Automatic numerical integration of singular integrands

We explore the combination of deterministic and Monte Carlo methods to facilitate efficient automatic numerical computation of multidimensional integrals with singular integrands. Two adaptive algorithms are presented that employ recursion and are runtime and memory optimised, respectively. SINGINT, a C implementation of the algorithms, is introduced and its utilisation in the calculation of particle scattering amplitudes is exemplified

Metal-Metal Bonding in Uranium-Group 10 Complexes

Heterobimetallic complexes containing short uranium–group 10 metal bonds have been prepared from monometallic IU^IV(OAr^P-κ²<i>O</i>,<i>P</i>)₃ (<b>2</b>) {[Ar^PO]⁻ = 2-<i>tert</i>-butyl-4-methyl-6-(diphenylphosphino)­phenolate}. The U–M bond in IU^IV(μ-OAr^P-1κ¹<i>O</i>,2κ¹<i>P</i>)₃M⁰, M = Ni (<b>3–Ni</b>), Pd (<b>3–Pd</b>), and Pt (<b>3–Pt</b>), has been investigated by experimental and DFT computational methods. Comparisons of <b>3–Ni</b> with two further U–Ni complexes XU^IV(μ-OAr^P-1κ¹<i>O</i>,2κ¹<i>P</i>)₃Ni⁰, X = Me₃SiO (<b>4</b>) and F (<b>5</b>), was also possible via iodide substitution. All complexes were characterized by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The U–M bonds are significantly shorter than any other crystallographically characterized d–f-block bimetallic, even though the ligand flexes to allow a variable U–M separation. Excellent agreement is found between the experimental and computed structures for <b>3–Ni</b> and <b>3–Pd</b>. Natural population analysis and natural localized molecular orbital (NLMO) compositions indicate that U employs both 5f and 6d orbitals in covalent bonding to a significant extent. Quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules analysis reveals U–M bond critical point properties typical of metallic bonding and a larger delocalization index (bond order) for the less polar U–Ni bond than U–Pd. Electrochemical studies agree with the computational analyses and the X-ray structural data for the U–X adducts <b>3–Ni</b>, <b>4</b>, and <b>5</b>. The data show a trend in uranium–metal bond strength that decreases from <b>3–Ni</b> down to <b>3–Pt</b> and suggest that exchanging the iodide for a fluoride strengthens the metal–metal bond. Despite short U–TM (transition metal) distances, four other computational approaches also suggest low U–TM bond orders, reflecting highly transition metal localized valence NLMOs. These are more so for <b>3–Pd</b> than <b>3–Ni</b>, consistent with slightly larger U–TM bond orders in the latter. Computational studies of the model systems (PH₃)₃MU­(OH)₃I (M = Ni, Pd) reveal longer and weaker unsupported U–TM bonds vs <b>3</b>

Polydopamine Linking Substrate for AMPs: Characterisation and Stability on Ti6Al4V

Infections are common complications in joint replacement surgeries. Eradicated infections can lead to implant failure. In this paper, analogues of the peptide KR-12 derived from the human cathelicidin LL-37 were designed, synthesised, and characterised. The designed antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were attached to the surface of a titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V, by conjugation to a polydopamine linking substrate. The topography of the polydopamine coating was evaluated by electron microscopy and coating thickness measurements were performed with ellipsometry and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The subsequently attached peptide stability was investigated with release profile studies in simulated body fluid, using both fluorescence imaging and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Finally, the hydrophobicity of the coating was characterised by water contact angle measurements. The designed AMPs were shown to provide long-term bonding to the polydopamine-coated Ti6Al4V surfaces

Involvement of institutions and local communities in turtles and cetacean monitoring and conservation in Maltese waters through networking

The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) are regularly found around Maltese waters, especially the former. However, until recently, information on the populations and conservation status of both species in the area was lacking. The EU LIFE+ project MIGRATE (LIFE11 NAT/MT/1070) was carried out to address these information gaps by aiming to obtain more biotic data on these species and to identify areas essential for the life cycle and reproduction of these protected species in Maltese waters. To achieve these aims, amongst others, a citizen science approach was chosen, with the involvement of a number of institutes like the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) and that of the Civil Protection Department (CPD) as well as local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other sea-user communities such as divers.peer-reviewe

Recurrent patterns of DNA copy number alterations in tumors reflect metabolic selection pressures.

Copy number alteration (CNA) profiling of human tumors has revealed recurrent patterns of DNA amplifications and deletions across diverse cancer types. These patterns are suggestive of conserved selection pressures during tumor evolution but cannot be fully explained by known oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Using a pan-cancer analysis of CNA data from patient tumors and experimental systems, here we show that principal component analysis-defined CNA signatures are predictive of glycolytic phenotypes, including 18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose (FDG) avidity of patient tumors, and increased proliferation. The primary CNA signature is enriched for p53 mutations and is associated with glycolysis through coordinate amplification of glycolytic genes and other cancer-linked metabolic enzymes. A pan-cancer and cross-species comparison of CNAs highlighted 26 consistently altered DNA regions, containing 11 enzymes in the glycolysis pathway in addition to known cancer-driving genes. Furthermore, exogenous expression of hexokinase and enolase enzymes in an experimental immortalization system altered the subsequent copy number status of the corresponding endogenous loci, supporting the hypothesis that these metabolic genes act as drivers within the conserved CNA amplification regions. Taken together, these results demonstrate that metabolic stress acts as a selective pressure underlying the recurrent CNAs observed in human tumors, and further cast genomic instability as an enabling event in tumorigenesis and metabolic evolution