The Preparation of Carbon-Metal Replicas for the Study of Carboniferous Coal Ball Fossils: Replication and Cleaning Procedures

In the early stages of a previous study of fossil spores of Botryopteris globosa and B. americana from the Carboniferous (Phillips & Rosso, 1970), considerable difficulty was encountered in replicating and cleaning spore materials and associ- ated debris from the carbon-platinum spore replicas. After numerous attempts to clean these carbon films, the techniques presented in this paper proved ef- ficient and reliable for transmission electron microscope examination of Botry- opteris spores found in calcified coal ball fossils

A consensus guide to using functional near-infrared spectroscopy in posture and gait research

BACKGROUND: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is increasingly used in the field of posture and gait to investigate patterns of cortical brain activation while people move freely. fNIRS methods, analysis and reporting of data vary greatly across studies which in turn can limit the replication of research, interpretation of findings and comparison across works. RESEARCH QUESTION AND METHODS: Considering these issues, we propose a set of practical recommendations for the conduct and reporting of fNIRS studies in posture and gait, acknowledging specific challenges related to clinical groups with posture and gait disorders. RESULTS: Our paper is organized around three main sections: 1) hardware set up and study protocols, 2) artefact removal and data processing and, 3) outcome measures, validity and reliability; it is supplemented with a detailed checklist. SIGNIFICANCE: This paper was written by a core group of members of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research and posture and gait researchers, all experienced in fNIRS research, with the intent of assisting the research community to lead innovative and impactful fNIRS studies in the field of posture and gait, whilst ensuring standardization of research

The Preparation of Carbon-Metal Replicas for the Study of Carboniferous Coal Ball Fossils: Replication and Cleaning Procedures

In the early stages of a previous study of fossil spores of Botryopteris globosa and B. americana from the Carboniferous (Phillips & Rosso, 1970), considerable difficulty was encountered in replicating and cleaning spore materials and associ- ated debris from the carbon-platinum spore replicas. After numerous attempts to clean these carbon films, the techniques presented in this paper proved ef- ficient and reliable for transmission electron microscope examination of Botry- opteris spores found in calcified coal ball fossils.This article is from Transactions of the American Microscopical Society 95 (1976): 112.</p

CAREX BALTZELLII (CYPERACEAE) NEW TO MISSISSIPPI WITH NOTES ON CAREX PICTA AND CAREX IMPRESSINERVIA IN MISSISSIPPI

Volume: 14Start Page: 493End Page: 49

Frontotemporal Dementia: Change of Familial Caregiver Burden and Partner Relation in a Dutch Cohort of 63 Patients

Background/Aims: The current study examined the change of caregiver burden and the development of the quality of the partner relation in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Methods: During a 2-year period, deterioration, behavioural problems, caregiver burden, general psychopathology, quality of life, social support, coping strategies and relationship quality were inspected in 63 FTD caregiver-care recipient dyads. Results: After 2 years patients reached maximum dementia severity with stable Neuropsychiatric Inventory levels. Contrary to expectations, caregiver burden decreased and psychological well-being remained stable. Coping style and social support changed unfavourably. Relationship closeness and getting along were preserved, whereas communication and sharing viewpoint on life were dramatically reduced. Conclusions: FTD caregivers need support in coping with the increasingly hopeless situation of their patients. Future research methods into caregiver burden should address response shift as a means for psychological adjustment. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Base

Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Digital Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Navigation and Activation Intervention for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (PrEPresent): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundTo end the HIV epidemic by 2030, we must double down on efforts to tailor prevention interventions to both young men who have sex with men and transgender and nonbinary youth. There is an urgent need for interventions that specifically focus on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake in sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) populations. There are several factors that impact the ability of SGMY to successfully engage in the HIV prevention continuum, including uptake of PrEP. Patient activation, having the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to manage one’s health, is an important indicator of willingness and ability to manage one’s own health and care autonomously. Patient navigation also plays an important role in helping SGMY access PrEP and PrEP care, as navigators help guide patients through the health care system, set up medical appointments, and get financial, legal, and social support. ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a digital PrEP navigation and activation intervention among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of SGMY living in the Los Angeles area. MethodsIn phase 1, we will conduct formative research to inform the development of PrEPresent using qualitative data from key informant interviews involving PrEP care providers and navigators and working groups with SGMY. In phase 2, we will complete 2 rounds of usability testing of PrEPresent with 8-10 SGMY assessing both the intervention content and mobile health delivery platform to ensure features are usable and content is understood. In phase 3, we will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PrEPresent. We will randomize, 1:1, a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 150 SGMY aged 16-26 years living in the Los Angeles area and follow participants for 6 months. ResultsPhase 1 (formative work) was completed in April 2021. Usability testing was completed in December 2021. As of June 2023, 148 participants have been enrolled into the PrEPresent pilot randomized controlled trial (phase 3). Enrollment is expected to be completed in July 2023, with final results anticipated in December 2023. ConclusionsThe PrEPresent intervention aims to bridge the gaps in PrEP eligibility and PrEP uptake among racially and ethnically diverse SGMY. By facilitating the delivery of PrEP navigation and focusing on improving patient activation, the PrEPresent intervention has the potential to positively impact the PrEP uptake cascade in the HIV care continuum as well as serve as a model for the tailoring of PrEP interventions based on behavior-based qualifications for PrEP instead of generalized gender-based eligibility. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05281393; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05281393 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/5086

Envenomation by the Green Bush Viper Atheris squamigera

The Green Bush Viper, Atheris squamigera, is native to West and Central Africa and has few well reported envenomations. Bite victims experience dizziness, nausea, headache, regional lymphadenopathy, and localized edema. Most reports also detail severe effects including thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, hemolysis, hemorrhage, or renal failure. Fatalities are reported, but poorly described. There is no specific antivenom for A. squamigera, but non-species specific antivenom has been reported helpful in several cases. We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who was bitten by a green bush viper and was treated with several non-species specific antivenoms. There were no complications to antivenom administration and the patient experienced a milder envenomation than detailed in previous reports

AMReX-Codes/amrex: AMReX 23.11

AMReX: Software Framework for Block Structured AM