shape to color associations in non synesthetes evidence for emotional mediation

4 Shape Features: Curviness: Curved, angular Symmetry: Asymmetric, symmetric Closure: Open, intersecting-once, intersecting>1 # of Line-Segments: 2, 3, 8 line-segments 8 Hues: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange, Chartreuse, Cyan, Purple 4 Saturation/Lightness levels ("cuts"): Saturated, Light, Muted, Dark + 5 Achromatic Colors: White, Black, Light, Medium, & Dark Gray 1a 1c 2a 2c 3a 3c 4a 4c 5a 5c 6

The predictive value of the Pleth Variability Index on fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing anaesthetized children—A prospective observational study

Background: In children, the preoperative hydration status is an important part of the overall clinical assessment. The assumed preoperative fluid deficit is often routinely replaced during induction without knowing the child's actual fluid status. Aim: We investigated the predictive value of the Pleth Variability Index as a measure of fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing anesthetized children. Methods: Pleth Variability Index, stroke volume and Cardiac Index, measured by electrovelocimetry, mean blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded during anesthesia induction in 50 pediatric patients 15% (Positive predictive value 2.71 (95% CI: 1.4 to 5.2)). Only in fluid responders, the Pleth Variability Index decreased during passive leg raising, while stroke volume increased. Conclusions: The Pleth Variability Index may be of additional value to predict fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing anesthetized children. A significant overlap in baseline Pleth Variability Index values between fluid responsive and nonfluid responsive patients does not allow a reliable recommendation as to a cut off value

Statistical Methods for Detecting Differentially Abundant Features in Clinical Metagenomic Samples

Numerous studies are currently underway to characterize the microbial communities inhabiting our world. These studies aim to dramatically expand our understanding of the microbial biosphere and, more importantly, hope to reveal the secrets of the complex symbiotic relationship between us and our commensal bacterial microflora. An important prerequisite for such discoveries are computational tools that are able to rapidly and accurately compare large datasets generated from complex bacterial communities to identify features that distinguish them

A statistical toolbox for metagenomics: assessing functional diversity in microbial communities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The 99% of bacteria in the environment that are recalcitrant to culturing have spurred the development of metagenomics, a culture-independent approach to sample and characterize microbial genomes. Massive datasets of metagenomic sequences have been accumulated, but analysis of these sequences has focused primarily on the descriptive comparison of the relative abundance of proteins that belong to specific functional categories. More robust statistical methods are needed to make inferences from metagenomic data. In this study, we developed and applied a suite of tools to describe and compare the richness, membership, and structure of microbial communities using peptide fragment sequences extracted from metagenomic sequence data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Application of these tools to acid mine drainage, soil, and whale fall metagenomic sequence collections revealed groups of peptide fragments with a relatively high abundance and no known function. When combined with analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments from the same communities these tools enabled us to demonstrate that although there was no overlap in the types of 16S rRNA gene sequence observed, there was a core collection of operational protein families that was shared among the three environments.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of comparisons between the three habitats were surprising considering the relatively low overlap of membership and the distinctively different characteristics of the three habitats. These tools will facilitate the use of metagenomics to pursue statistically sound genome-based ecological analyses.</p

Evidence of the Generation of Isosaccharinic Acids and Their Subsequent Degradation by Local Microbial Consortia within Hyper-Alkaline Contaminated Soils, with Relevance to Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

The contamination of surface environments with hydroxide rich wastes leads to the formation of high pH (>11.0) soil profiles. One such site is a legacy lime works at Harpur Hill, Derbyshire where soil profile indicated in-situ pH values up to pH 12. Soil and porewater profiles around the site indicated clear evidence of the presence of the α and β stereoisomers of isosaccharinic acid (ISA) resulting from the anoxic, alkaline degradation of cellulosic material. ISAs are of particular interest with regards to the disposal of cellulosic materials contained within the intermediate level waste (ILW) inventory of the United Kingdom, where they may influence radionuclide mobility via complexation events occurring within a geological disposal facility (GDF) concept. The mixing of uncontaminated soils with the alkaline leachate of the site resulted in ISA generation, where the rate of generation in-situ is likely to be dependent upon the prevailing temperature of the soil. Microbial consortia present in the uncontaminated soil were capable of surviving conditions imposed by the alkaline leachate and demonstrated the ability to utilise ISAs as a carbon source. Leachate-contaminated soil was sub-cultured in a cellulose degradation product driven microcosm operating at pH 11, the consortia present were capable of the degradation of ISAs and the generation of methane from the resultant H2/CO2 produced from fermentation processes. Following microbial community analysis, fermentation processes appear to be predominated by Clostridia from the genus Alkaliphilus sp, with methanogenesis being attributed to Methanobacterium and Methanomassiliicoccus sp. The study is the first to identify the generation of ISA within an anthropogenic environment and advocates the notion that microbial activity within an ILW-GDF is likely to influence the impact of ISAs upon radionuclide migration

International prevalence of consultation with a naturopathic practitioner: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Naturopathy is a traditional medicine system informed by codified philosophies and principles, and an emphasis on non-pharmacologic therapeutic interventions. While naturopathy is practised by approximately 75 000-100 000 000 naturopathic practitioners in at least 98 countries, little is known about the international prevalence of history of consultation with a naturopathic practitioner. This study reports a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies describing the global prevalence of history of consultation with a naturopathic practitioner by the general population. SETTING: The included literature was identified through a systematic search of eight databases between September and October 2019, as well as the grey literature. PARTICIPANTS: Studies were included if they reported the prevalence rate of consultations with a naturopathic practitioner by the general population. INTERVENTIONS: Survey items needed to report consultations with a naturopathic practitioner as defined in the country where data was collected, and not combine naturopathic consultations with other health services or only report consulations for illness populations. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary measures used for the analysis was consultations in the previous 12 months. Other prevalence timeframes were reported as secondary measures. METHODS: Meta-analysis of prevalence data was conducted using random effects models based on individual countries and WHO world regions. RESULTS: The literature search identified eight manuscripts summarising 14 studies reporting prevalence for inclusion in the review. All included studies had a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis of the included studies by world region found the 12-month prevalence of history of naturopathy consultations ranged from 1% in the Region of the Americas to 6% in the European and Western Pacific Regions. CONCLUSIONS: There are up to sixfold differences in the prevalence of naturopathy consults over 12 months between and within world regions, which may be driven by a range of policy, legislative and social factors. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020145529

Decade-long bacterial community dynamics in cystic fibrosis airways

The structure and dynamics of bacterial communities in the airways of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) remain largely unknown. We characterized the bacterial communities in 126 sputum samples representing serial collections spanning 8–9 y from six age-matched male CF patients. Sputum DNA was analyzed by bar-coded pyrosequencing of the V3–V5 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene, defining 662 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from > 633,000 sequences. Bacterial community diversity decreased significantly over time in patients with typically progressive lung disease but remained relatively stable in patients with a mild lung disease phenotype. Antibiotic use, rather than patient age or lung function,was the primary driver of decreasing diversity. Interpatient variability in community structure exceeded intrapatient variability in serial samples. Antibiotic treatment was associated with pronounced shifts in community structure, but communities showed both short- and longterm resilience after antibiotic perturbation. There was a positive correlation between OTU occurrence and relative abundance, with a small number of persistent OTUs accounting for the greatest abundance. Significant changes in community structure, diversity, or total bacterial density at the time of pulmonary exacerbation were not observed. Despite decreasing community diversity in patients with progressive disease, total bacterial density remained relatively stable over time. These findings show the critical relationship between airway bacterial community structure, disease stage, and clinical state at the time of sample collection. These features are the key parameters with which to assess the complex ecology of the CF airway.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91945/1/2012 PNAS Decade-long bacterial community dynamics in cystic fibrosis airways.pd

Optical Propagation and Communication

Contains summary of research and reports on four research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant ECS81-20637)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract N00014-81-K-0662)Maryland Procurement Office (Contract MDA904-84-C-6037)U.S. Army Research Office - Durham (Contract DAAG29-80-K-0022)U.S. Army Research Office - Durham (Contract DAAG29-84-K-0095)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract N00014-80-C-0941

Optical Propagation and Communication

Contains research summary and reports on four research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant ECS81-20637)National Science Foundation (Grant ECS85-09143)Maryland Procurement Office (Contract MDA904-84-C-6037)National Science Foundation (Grant ECS84-15580)U.S. Army Research Office - Durham (Contract DAAG29-84-K-0095)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract NO0014-80-C-0941

Optical Propagation and Communication

Contains reports on four research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant ECS81-20637)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract N00014-81-K-0662)U.S. Army Research Office - Durham (Contract DAAG29-80-K-0022)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract N00014-80-C-0941