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AbstractObjectives This study examined the influence of age variables along with psychosocial variables on well-being among older adults living with chronic pain.Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design, older adults living with chronic pain in Canada (N = 220) completed an online survey assessing age variables (ie age at onset of chronic pain, current age), psychosocial variables (ie pain catastrophizing, pain disability, physical functioning, psychological inflexibility), and well-being variables (ie autonomy, environmental mastery, self-acceptance, overall eudaimonic well-being).Results Current age, but not age of onset of chronic pain, significantly predicted eudaimonic well-being and self-acceptance. Physical functioning, pain catastrophizing, and pain disability significantly predicted eudaimonic well-being, autonomy, and environmental mastery. Pain catastrophizing also significantly predicted self-acceptance. With regards to the relative importance of effect sizes, physical functioning followed by pain catastrophizing were the most important factors contributing to autonomy, environmental mastery, and self-acceptance. These psychosocial factors were more important for self-acceptance than they were for autonomy or environmental mastery.Conclusion When living with chronic pain, the psychosocial variables of most importance to older adults’ well-being may be physical functioning and pain catastrophizing, and the development of psychological interventions for older chronic pain populations should account for these psychosocial factors.

Abstract Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), an Andean pseudocereal, attained global popularity beginning in the early 2000s due to its protein quality, glycemic index, and high fiber, vitamin, and mineral contents. Pitseed goosefoot (Chenopodium berlandieri), quinoa's North American free‐living sister species, grows on disturbed and sandy substrates across the North America, including saline coastal sands, southwestern deserts, subtropical highlands, the Great Plains, and boreal forests. Together with South American avian goosefoot (Chenopodium hircinum) they comprise the American tetraploid goosefoot complex (ATGC). Superimposed on pitseed goosefoot's North American range are approximately 35 AA diploids, most of which are adapted to a diversity of niche environments. We chose to assemble a reference genome for Sonoran A‐genome Chenopodium watsonii due to fruit morphological and high (>99.3%) preliminary sequence‐match similarities with quinoa, along with its well‐established taxonomic status. The genome was assembled into 1377 scaffolds spanning 547.76 Mb (N50 = 55.14 Mb, L50 = 5), with 94% comprised in nine chromosome‐scale scaffolds and 93.9% Benchmarking Universal Single‐Copy Orthologs genes identified as single copy and 3.4% as duplicated. A high degree of synteny, with minor and mostly telomeric rearrangements, was found when comparing this taxon with the previously reported genome of South American C. pallidicaule and the A‐subgenome chromosomes of C. quinoa. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using 10,588 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms generated by resequencing a panel of 41 New World AA diploid accessions and the Eurasian H‐genome diploid Chenopodium vulvaria, along with three AABB tetraploids previously sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of these 32 taxa positioned the psammophyte Chenopodium subglabrum on the branch containing A‐genome sequences from the ATGC. We also present evidence for long‐range dispersal of Chenopodium diploids between North and South America.

It was predicted that complex thermalizing behaviour can arise in many-body systems in the absence of disorder. Here, the authors observe non-ergodic dynamics in a tilted optical lattice that is distinct from previously studied regimes, and propose a microscopic mechanism that is due to emergent kinetic constrains.

Abstract Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare condition leading to blood agglutination and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Cutaneous ischemia resulting from CAD in the head and neck is uncommon. Treatment regimens and outcomes vary widely in the literature and no clear protocol exists. This manuscript describes a patient with CAD who developed severe ischemia of the nose that resolved completely without sequellae following a medical regimen of aspirin, low molecular weight heparin, nitroglycerin ointment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case where nitroglycerin ointment or HBOT was successfully employed in the treatment of this complication.

Abstract Background Flexible nasolaryngoscopy is an essential component of the otolaryngological physical exam. Historically, the ability to create and share video recordings of these endoscopic exams has been limited by poor mobility of fixed endoscopy towers. The advent of smartphone endoscope adapters has allowed physicians to create and share video recordings of endoscopy in a wide variety of locations that would not have previously been feasible. This paper sought to review the literature on the effect of smartphone endoscope adapters on patient care, patient satisfaction, and resident learning. Methods This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic literature search was performed for all relevant English language studies (1946–2017) using Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE. The study protocol was registered with the PROSPERO database. Results A total of 91 abstracts were identified and screened by two independent reviewers. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, three studies were selected and subjected to full-text extraction as well as quality assessment. These studies demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and quality of smartphone adapter-recorded videos, and a benefit of these devices on resident education. Due to the heterogeneity of included studies’ methods and measures, a meta-analysis was not possible, so a qualitative synthesis of the literature results was performed. Conclusion Despite a paucity of data on the subject, the present study provided a comprehensive review of the literature, and suggested overall high diagnostic accuracy, quality, and enhancement of resident education with the use of smartphone endoscope adapters for flexible nasolaryngoscopy. Trial registration CRD42018086714.

Abstract Background Conversion disorder refers to functional bodily impairments that can be precipitated by high stress situations including trauma and surgery. Symptoms of conversion disorder may mimic or complicate otolaryngology diseases in the pediatric population. Case presentation In this report, the authors describe 3 cases of conversion disorder that presented to a pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery practice. This report highlights a unique population of patients who have not previously been investigated. The clinical presentation and management of these cases are discussed in detail. Non-organic otolaryngology symptoms of conversion disorder in the pediatric population are reviewed. In addition, we discuss the challenges faced by clinicians in appropriately identifying and treating these patients and present an approach to management of their care. Conclusion In this report, the authors highlight the importance of considering psychogenic illnesses in patients with atypical clinical presentations of otolaryngology disorders.

Quantum simulators have made a remarkable progress towards exploring the dynamics of many-body systems, many of which offer a formidable challenge to both theoretical and numerical methods. While state-of-the-art quantum simulators are, in principle, able to simulate quantum dynamics well outside the domain of classical computers, they are noisy and limited in the variability of the initial state of the dynamics and the observables that can be measured. Despite these limitations, here we show that such a quantum simulator can be used to in effect solve for the dynamics of a many-body system. We develop an efficient numerical technique that facilitates classical simulations in regimes not accessible to exact calculations or other established numerical techniques. The method is based on approximations that are well suited to describe localized one-dimensional Fermi-Hubbard systems. Since this new method does not have an error estimate and the approximations do not hold in general, we use a neutral-atom Fermi-Hubbard quantum simulator with L_{exp}≃290 lattice sites to benchmark its performance in terms of accuracy and convergence for evolution times up to 700 tunneling times. We then use these approximations in order to derive a simple prediction of the behavior of interacting Bloch oscillations for spin-imbalanced Fermi-Hubbard systems, which we show to be in quantitative agreement with experimental results. Finally, we demonstrate that the convergence of our method is the slowest when the entanglement depth developed in the many-body system we consider is neither too small nor too large. This represents a promising regime for near-term applications of quantum simulators.

Abstract Background Research productivity is an important component of the CanMEDS Scholar role and is an accreditation requirement of Canadian Otolaryngology training programs. Our objective was to determine if an association exists between publication rates before and during Otolaryngology residency. Methods We obtained the names for all certified Canadian Otolaryngologists who graduated between 1998 and 2013 inclusive, and conducted a Medline search for all of their publications. Otolaryngologists were subgrouped based on year of residency graduation and the number of articles published pre-residency and during residency (0 or ≥1). Chi-squared analyses were used to evaluate whether publications pre-residency and year of graduation were associated with publications during residency. Results We obtained data for 312 Canadian Otolaryngologists. Of those 312 graduates, 46 (14.7%) had no identifiable publications on PubMed and were excluded from the final data analysis. Otolaryngology residents had a mean 0.65 (95% CI 0.50-0.80) publications before residency and 3.35 (95% CI 2.90-3.80) publications during residency. Between 1998 and 2013, mean publication rates before and during residency both increased significantly (R 2 = 0.594 and R 2 = 0.759, respectively), whereas publication rates after residency graduation has stagnated (R 2 = 0.023). The odds of publishing during residency was 5.85 times higher (95% CI 2.69-12.71) if a resident published prior to residency (p

Hochschulanlagen sind wesentliche Elemente einer Wissensstadt und haben einen großen Einfluss auf die urbane Entwicklung. Daneben ist wissenschaftlich erwiesen, dass ihre räumliche Struktur den "Flow of Technology" maßgeblich beeinflußt (ALLEN, 1984). Diese Erkenntnisse kommen jedoch im Entwurf von Hochschulen noch kaum zur Anwendung. Dieser Artikel stellt eine umfassende Methode der räumlichen Analyse vor, die diese Lücke schließen kann. Sie basiert auf den Forschungsergebnissen der Space Group am University College London (HILLIER & HANSON, 1984; HILLIER, 1996). Die beiden neuen Campus der Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt dienen dabei als Fallstudie. Während der Entwurfsphase wurde eine räumliche Analyse durchgeführt, die wertvolle Erkenntnisse für die weitere Planung lieferte. Beide Campus werden auch im laufenden Betrieb weiter untersucht, um Rückschlüsse auf den Erfolg der Planungskonzepte ziehen zu können. 13.01.2012 | Christian Schwander, Christine Kohlert (München) & Eva Friedrich (London)

The use of herbs for treating various ailments dates back several centuries. Usually, herbal medicine has relied on tradition that may or may not be supported by empirical data. The belief that natural medicines are much safer than synthetic drugs has gained popularity in recent years and led to tremendous growth of phytopharmaceutical usage. Market driven information on natural products is widespread and has further fostered their use in daily life. In most countries there is no universal regulatory system that insures the safety and activity of phytopharmaceuticals. Evidence-based verification of the efficacy of HMPs (herbal medicinal products, botanicals) is still frequently lacking. However, in recent years, data on evaluation of the therapeutic and toxic activity of herbal medicinal products became available. The advances in analytical technology have led to discovery of many new active constituents and an ever-increasing list of putatively active constituents. Establishing the pharmacological basis for efficacy of HMPs is a constant challenge. Of particular interest is the question of bioavailability to assess to what degree and how fast compounds are absorbed after administration of HMPs. Of further interest is the elucidation of metabolic pathways (yielding potentially new active compounds), and the assessment of elimination routes and their kinetics. These data become an important issue to link data from pharmacological assays and clinical effects. Of interest are currently also interactions of herbal medicinal products with synthetically derived drug products. A better understanding of the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of phytopharmaceuticals can also help in designing rational dosage regimens. In this review, pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies that have been conducted for some of the more important or widely used phytopharmaceuticals are critically evaluated. Furthermore, various drug interactions are discussed which show that caution should be exercised when combining phytopharmaceuticals with chemically derived active pharmaceutical ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The use of herbs for treating various ailments dates back several centuries. Usually, herbal medicine has relied on tradition that may or may not be supported by empirical data. The belief that natural medicines are much safer than synthetic drugs has gained popularity in recent years and led to tremendous growth of phytopharmaceutical usage. Market driven information on natural products is widespread and has further fostered their use in daily life. In most countries there is no universal regulatory system that insures the safety and activity of phytopharmaceuticals. Evidence-based verification of the efficacy of HMPs (herbal medicinal products, botanicals) is still frequently lacking. However, in recent years, data on evaluation of the therapeutic and toxic activity of herbal medicinal products became available. The advances in analytical technology have led to discovery of many new active constituents and an ever-increasing list of putatively active constituents. Establishing the pharmacological basis for efficacy of HMPs is a constant challenge. Of particular interest is the question of bioavailability to assess to what degree and how fast compounds are absorbed after administration of HMPs. Of further interest is the elucidation of metabolic pathways (yielding potentially new active compounds), and the assessment of elimination routes and their kinetics. These data become an important issue to link data from pharmacological assays and clinical effects. Of interest are currently also interactions of herbal medicinal products with synthetically derived drug products. A better understanding of the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of phytopharmaceuticals can also help in designing rational dosage regimens. In this review, pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies that have been conducted for some of the more important or widely used phytopharmaceuticals are critically evaluated. Furthermore, various drug interactions are discussed which show that caution should be exercised when combining phytopharmaceuticals with chemically derived active pharmaceutical ingredients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]