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Using data collected with the CLEO II detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we determine the ratio [Formula presented] for the mean charged multiplicity observed in [Formula presented] events, [Formula presented], to the mean charged multiplicity observed in [Formula presented] events, [Formula presented]. We find [Formula presented] [Formula presented] for jet-jet masses less than 7 GeV. © 1997 The American Physical Society.

Using data collected with the CLEO II detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we determine the ratio [Formula presented] for the mean charged multiplicity observed in [Formula presented] events, [Formula presented], to the mean charged multiplicity observed in [Formula presented] events, [Formula presented]. We find [Formula presented] [Formula presented] for jet-jet masses less than 7 GeV. © 1997 The American Physical Society.

Background A booster dose can result in a similar reaction to the initial dose. Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) can produce a comparable reaction in the absence of specific pathophysiologic alterations. Case An initial dose of rocuronium 40 mg was given to a male patient (50 years old, height 168 cm, weight 54 kg, body mass index 19.13 kg/m2) for anesthesia. The onset was usual, but the duration was brief. Two booster doses were administered at 20 min intervals, but recovery came quickly. So, acute tolerance was suspected. Muscle function was restored to greater than train-of-four ratio 0.75 while spontaneous aided breathing was maintained without the need of further NMBAs. Following the operation, sugammadex (1.85 mg/kg) was provided to prevent residual neuromuscular inhibition. Conclusions Anesthetists must be able to suspect acute tolerance to NMBAs in patients with no unique medical history and have a plan to resolve it.

The abundance and variety of benthic diatoms inhabiting tidal flats is widely acknowledged, although it has received relatively less attention than other research areas. In this investigation, we provide a formal description of a benthic diatom found in the tidal mudflat of South Korea, based on morphological and molecular characteristics and the similarities and differences between Halamphora hampyeongensis sp. nov., with morphologically similar Halamphora species are also discussed. Morphological characteristics are described from light and electron microscopy images. H. hampyeongensis is distinguished by its wide ventral sides of the valve, small and rounded areolae present across the whole valve face, and dense dorsal striae biseriate (34–38 in 10 μm). Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA and rbcL sequence data revealed that H. hampyeongensis is related to H. montana, H. mosensis, and H. specensa. The results (morphometric and molecular) provide sufficient elements to support and propose this taxon as a new species.

The National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, exhibits and studies Korea’s diverse ecosystems to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation to the general public. The site faces the challenge of preserving the natural environment while ensuring visitor convenience. This requires systematic data collection to quickly detect and respond to threats from pests and natural disasters. In this study, high-resolution orthoimages were acquired to monitor ecological changes using unmanned aerial vehicles. Images were captured through flights monthly from March to July 2024. Digital elevation models and orthoimages were generated to identify dead trees and assess areas of damage caused by heavy rainfall. The study covered an area of 998,655 m2, and the image resolution was 3.6 cm/pixel. The orthophotos were useful in identifying plant pest damage. They also helped evaluate damage caused by rain, showing that the total area of damage was 29,384 m2, mainly due to soil erosion. Furthermore, it is expected that the accumulation of such unmanned remote sensing image data can also be applied to the safety management of various natural conservation areas and public facilities.

We present a measurement of the branching fraction for the decay of the neutral B meson into the final state J/psipi(+)pi(-). The data set contains approximately 56 x 10(6) BB pairs produced at the Upsilon(4S) resonance and recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) storage ring. The result of this analysis is B(B0-->J/psipi(+)pi(-))=(4.6+/-0.7+/-0.6) x 10(-5), where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. In addition, we measure B(B0-->J/psirho(0))=(1.6+/-0.6+/-0.4) x 10(-5).

Abstract Objective The effect of body composition change on the risk of dementia is not clear. This study analyzed the associations of changes in predicted lean body mass index (pLBMI), predicted appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (pASMI), and predicted body fat mass index (pBFMI) with the risk of dementia. Methods In this nationwide cohort study, data were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The exposure was defined as changes in pLBMI, pASMI, and pBFMI derived from validated prediction equations. The outcome was dementia, defined based on the dementia diagnosis with prescription of anti‐dementia medication. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to obtain the hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval for risk of dementia according to changes in predicted body composition. Results A total of 13,215,208 individuals with no prior record of dementia who underwent health screenings twice between 2009–2010 and 2011–2012 were included. A 1‐kg/m2 increase in pLBMI and pASMI had an association with reduced risk of dementia (aHR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.84–0.87; aHR: 0.70, 95% CI 0.69–0.72, respectively for men, and aHR: 0.69, 95% CI 0.67–0.71; aHR: 0.59, 95% CI 0.57–0.61, respectively for women). A 1‐kg/m2 increase in pBFMI had an association with a raised risk of dementia (aHR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.17–1.21 for men and aHR: 1.53, 95% CI 1.48–1.57 for women). These results remained consistent regardless of sex or weight change. Interpretation Increase in pLBMI or pASMI, or reduction in pBFMI was linked to lower risk of dementia.

A 70-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, using a HeartWare ventricular assist device, as a bridge to candidacy. After 26 months, computed tomography (CT) angiography indicated stenosis in the LVAD outflow graft; however, the patient was asymptomatic, prompting a decision to manage his condition with close monitoring. Ten months later, the patient presented with dizziness and low-flow alerts. Subsequent CT angiography revealed a critical obstruction involving the entire LVAD outflow graft. The patient underwent emergency surgery, during which an organized seroma causing the graft obstruction was found between a wrapped expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft and a Dacron outflow graft. The covering of the outflow graft was removed, along with the organized seroma. Following removal of the ePTFE wrap and decompression of the outflow graft, normal LVAD flow was reestablished. The practice of wrapping the outflow graft with synthetic material, commonly done to facilitate later redo sternotomy, may pose a risk for outflow graft obstruction.

Abstract Background Acupuncture is widely used worldwide; however, studies on its effectiveness have been impeded by limitations regarding the design of appropriate control groups. In clinical research, noninvasive sham acupuncture techniques can only be applied through validation studies. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the scope of existing literature on this topic to identify trends. Methods We queried Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from inception to July 2022 for relevant articles. Author names were used to identify additional relevant articles. Two independent reviewers assessed the identified articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The following data were extracted: study design, information regarding acupuncturists and participants, general and treatment-related characteristics of the intervention and control groups, participants’ experience of acupuncture, and research findings. Results The database query yielded 673 articles, of which 29 articles were included in the final review. Among these, 18 involved the use of one of three devices: Streitberger (n = 5), Park (n = 7), and Takakura (n = 6) devices. The remaining 11 studies used other devices, including self-developed needles. All the included studies were randomized controlled trials. The methodological details of the included studies were heterogeneous with respect to outcomes assessed, blinding, and results. Conclusions Sham acupuncture validation studies have been conducted using healthy volunteers, with a focus on blind review and technological developments in sham acupuncture devices. However, theren may be language bias in our findings since we could not query Chinese and Japanese databases due to language barriers. There is a need for more efforts toward establishing control groups suitable for various acupuncture therapy interventions. Moreover, there is a need for more rigorous sham acupuncture validation studies, which could lead to higher-quality clinical studies.

Abstract Lumbar sympathetic ganglion neurolysis (LSGN) has been used for long-term pain relief in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, the actual effect duration of LSGN has not been accurately measured. This prospective observational study measured the effect duration of LSGN in CRPS patients and investigated the relationship between temperature change and pain relief. After performing LSGN, the skin temperatures of both the maximum pain site and the plantar area in the affected and unaffected limbs were measured by infrared thermography, and pain intensity was assessed before and at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months. The median time to return to baseline temperature was calculated using survival analysis. The skin temperature increased significantly at all-time points relative to baseline in both regions (maximum pain site: 1.4 °C ± 1.0 °C, plantar region: 1.28 °C ± 0.8 °C, all P

In this paper, we describe the Mobile-IT Education (MIT.EDU) system, which demonstrates the potential of using a distributed mobile device architecture for rapid prototyping of wireless mobile multi-user applications for use in classroom settings. MIT.EDU is a stable, accessible system that combines inexpensive, commodity hardware, a flexible sensorperipheral interconnection bus, and a powerful, light-weight distributed sensing, classification, and inter-process communications software architecture to facilitate the development of distributed real-time multi-modal and context-aware applications. We demonstrate the power and functionality of this platform by describing a number of MIT.EDU application deployments in educational settings. Initial evaluations of these experiments demonstrate the potential of using the system for real-world interactive m-learning applications.

OBJECTIVE: Phthalates can cause immunological disorders and aggravate allergic diseases. Thus, we investigated the relationship between urinary phthalate, skin barrier function, and atopic sensitization in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 448 school children [334 with severe allergic disease; and 123 with severe atopic dermatitis (AD)] aged 10-12 years were enrolled in this study between June and July 2017. Four high-molecular-weight phthalates (HMWP) [Σ4HMWP] and three low-molecular-weight phthalates (LMWP) [Σ3LMWP] metabolites in urine samples, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), and total eosinophil count were measured. Four-part trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) (cheek, leg, and upper/lower arm; Σ4TEWL) was measured to evaluate the skin barrier function. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, Σ4TEWL was significantly associated with the quartiles of urinary Σ4HMWP [adjusted β=7.897, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.636-15.158, p=0.033] and Σ3LMWP (adjusted β=9.670, 95% CI: 2.422-16.919, p=0.009). The adjusted analyses revealed that the quartiles of urinary Σ4HMWP and Σ3LMWP were not significantly associated with total eosinophil count, atopic sensitization, and severe AD (p>0.05). According to the quartiles of urinary Σ4HMWP and Σ3LMWP, there were significant differences in the TEWL of the lower arm and leg (p<0.05) but not in cheek and upper arm. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to HMWPs and LMWPs was significantly associated with skin barrier dysfunction but not with atopic sensitization. These results suggest that children exposed to phthalates may be more susceptible to fragile skin barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]