A comparison of elicitation procedures for connected language analyses in person with aphasia:Concurrent validation of the Story Retell Procedure

Among the elicited and observed procedures used to describe, classify, diagnose, measure change, quantify severity, and plan intervention for persons with aphasia, the measurement of connected spoken language has become a stable and valued procedure for many of these purposes. Although recognized, the most valid, reliable, and efficient methods for sampling connected language has received relatively little experimental attention from clinical and experimental aphasiologists. The recently developed Story Retell Procedure (SRP) (Doyle, et al, 2000) has the unique measurement advantage of predetermined targets for the retold stories; however, it relies on the comprehension as well as the production of the individual for the samples from which linguistic measurements are performed. Its concurrent validation has not been established

Anal cancer incidence in men with HIV who have sex with men: are black men at higher risk?

Objective:To assess differences in anal cancer incidence between racial/ethnic groups among a clinical cohort of men with HIV who have sex with men.Design:Clinical cohort studyMethods:We studied men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) under HIV care in CNICS. We compared anal cancer incidence between Black and non-Black men and calculated hazard ratios controlling for demographic characteristics (age, CNICS site, year of ART initiation), HIV disease indicators (nadir CD4+, peak HIV RNA), and co-infection/behavioral factors including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse.Results:We studied 7473 MSM with HIV who contributed 41 810 person-years of follow-up after initiating ART between 1996 and 2014 in CNICS. Forty-one individuals had an incident diagnosis of anal cancer under observation. Crude rates of anal cancer were 204 versus 61 per 100 000 person-years among Black versus non-Black MSM. The weighted hazard ratio for anal cancer in Black MSM (adjusting for demographics, HIV disease factors, and co-infection/behavioral factors) was 2.37 (95% confidence interval: 1.17, 4.82) compared to non-Black MSM.Conclusions:In this large multicenter cohort, Black MSM were at significantly increased risk for anal cancer compared to non-Black MSM. Further detailed studies evaluating factors impacting anal cancer incidence and outcomes in Black men with HIV are necessary. Inclusion of more diverse study cohorts may elucidate modifiable factors associated with increased anal cancer risk experienced by Black MSM

Study of Inclusive Strange-Baryon Production and Search for Pentaquarks in Two-Photon Collisions at LEP

Measurements of inclusive production of the Lambda, Xi- and Xi*(1530) baryons in two-photon collisions with the L3 detector at LEP are presented. The inclusive differential cross sections for Lambda and Xi- are measured as a function of the baryon transverse momentum, pt, and pseudo-rapidity, eta. The mean number of Lambda, Xi- and Xi*(1530) baryons per hadronic two-photon event is determined in the kinematic range 0.4 GeV < pt< 2.5 GeV, |eta| < 1.2. Overall agreement with the theoretical models and Monte Carlo predictions is observed. A search for inclusive production of the pentaquark theta+(1540) in two-photon collisions through the decay theta+ -> proton K0s is also presented. No evidence for production of this state is found

Highly Selective and Stable Microdisc Biosensors for L-Glutamate Monitoring

The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Glutamate mediates most of the excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain, and its abnormal regulation is considered a key factor underlying the appearance and progression of many neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. In this work, a microdisc-based amperometric biosensor for glutamate detection with highly enhanced selectivity and good stability is proposed. The biosensor utilizes the enzyme glutamate oxidase which was dip-coated onto 125 μm diameter platinum discs. To improve selectivity, phosphatidylethanolamine was pre-coated prior to enzyme deposition, and electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine was performed to entrap the enzyme within a polymer matrix. A variety of coating configurations were tested in order to optimize biosensor performance. For stability measurements, biosensors were biased continuously and calibration curves calculated each day for a period of 5–6 days. The optimized biosensors exhibited very high sensitivity (71 ± 1 mA M−1 cm−2), low detection limit of ∼2.5 μM glutamate, selectivity (over 87% against ascorbic acid), very good temporal stability during continuous use, and a response time of <5 s. These biosensors are therefore good candidates for further development as devices for continuous monitoring during traumatic brain injury or neurosurgery

Lessons learned in implementing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR)

Background: The Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) is a clinical quality registry which utilizes both surgical data and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to understand device performance. The ABDR is the first national breast device registry utilizing the BREAST-Q Implant Surveillance module to conduct PROMs via text messaging as the primary method of contact for most patients. ABDR PROMs are structured upon a successful acceptability and feasibility study and a pilot study. Objectives: This aim of this paper was to examine the challenges we faced and consider how lessons learned in implementing PROMs might inform future registry studies and interventions. Methods: We tracked the number of completed follow-ups and documented feedback between October 2017 and December 2018 from various stakeholders, including sites, surgeons, and patients. Results: In total, 10,617 patients were contacted: 59% of breast augmentation and 77% breast reconstruction patients responded to our PROMs survey. We encountered challenges and developed solutions to overcome several key issues, including database setup; follow-up contact methods; ethics; education of surgeons and patients; associated costs; and ongoing evaluation and modification. The strategies we devised to address these challenges included drawing on experiences from previous studies, greater communication with sites and surgeons, and having the flexibility to improve and modify our PROMs. Conclusions: The ABDR PROMs experience and lessons learned can inform a growing number of registries seeking to conduct PROMs. We describe our approach, obstacles encountered, and strategies to increase patient participation. As more breast device registries worldwide adopt PROMs, data harmonization is crucial to better understand patient outcomes and device performance.Sze Ng, Emily Parker, Andrea Pusic, Gillian Farrell, Colin Moore, Elisabeth Elder, Rodney D. Cooter, John McNeil, Ingrid Hoppe

Nanogel star polymer nanostructures of controlled size, molecular architecture and functionality: No assembly required

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