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The "surprisingly popular" method (SP) of aggregating individual judgments has shown promise in overcoming a weakness of other crowdsourcing methods--situations in which the majority is incorrect. This method relies on participants' estimates of other participants' judgments; when an option is chosen more often than the average metacognitive judgments of that option, it is "surprisingly popular" and is selected by the method. Although SP has been shown to improve group decision making about factual propositions (e.g., state capitals), its application to future outcomes has been limited. In three preregistered studies, we compared SP to other methods of aggregating individual predictions about future events. Study 1 examined predictions of football games, Study 2 examined predictions of the 2018 US midterm elections, and Study 3 examined predictions of basketball games. When applied to judgments made by objectively assessed experts, SP performed slightly better than other aggregation methods. Although there is still more to learn about the conditions under which SP is effective, it shows promise as a means of crowdsourcing predictions of future outcomes.

The article focuses on investigating the effects of initiating long-term home noninvasive ventilation (LTH-NIV) on exacerbation rates in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) in a real-world clinical study. It examines the rate of exacerbations before and after LTH-NIV initiation, comparing severe exacerbations and a composite of moderate and severe exacerbations.

Urotensin II (UII) is an 11 amino acid cyclic peptide originally isolated from the goby fish. The amino acid sequence of UII is exceptionally conserved across most vertebrate taxa, sharing structural similarity to somatostatin. UII binds to a class of G protein-coupled receptor known as GPR14 or the urotensin receptor (UT). UII and its receptor, UT, are widely expressed throughout the cardiovascular, pulmonary, central nervous, renal, and metabolic systems. UII is generally agreed to be the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictor discovered to date. Its physiological mechanisms are similar in some ways to other potent mediators, such as endothelin-l. For example, both compounds elicit a strong vascular smooth muscle-dependent vasoconstriction via [Ca.sup.2+] release. UII also exerts a wide range of actions in other systems, such as proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and cancer cells. It also 1) enhances foam cell formation, chemotaxis of inflammatory cells, and inotropic and hypertrophic effects on heart muscle: 2) inhibits insulin release, modulates glomerular filtration, and release of catecholamines; and 3) may help regulate food intake and the sleep cycle. Elevated plasma levels of UII and increased levels of UII and UT expression have been demonstrated in numerous diseased conditions, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, and the metabolic syndrome. Indeed, some of these reports suggest that UII is a marker of disease activity. As such, the UT receptor is emerging as a promising target for therapeutic intervention. Here, a concise review is given on the vast physiologic and pathologic roles of UII. UT receptor; somatostatin; human; experimental animals; autocrine/paracrine doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00706.2009.

The reactions between Pt(2,2'-bpy) [([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.2] and Ag([O.sub.2] [CCF.sub.3]) have been found to consistently produce heterobimetallic complexes where the [[Pt(2,2'-bpy)] .sup.2+] unit acts as a terminator for various [[Ag([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3])].sub.n] aggregates. The stoichiometry and the structure of the heterobimetallic complex obtained is dependent on the ratio of Pt(2,2'-bpy)[([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.2] and Ag([O.sub.2] [CCF.sub.3]) used in the synthesis. When a 1:1 ratio of Pt/Ag was used, a heteronuclear complex [Pt.sub.2][Ag.sub.2][(2,2'-bpy).sub.2] [([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.6] (1a) was obtained where the four metal ions have a linear Pt-Ag-Ag-Pt arrangement. Molecules of 1a stack in the crystal lattice via intermolecular Pt ... Pt interactions to form a linear 1D extended structure. A structural isomer of 1a, [Pt.sub.2] [Ag.sub.2][(2,2'-bpy).sub.2][([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.6] (1b), where the four metal ions have an 'L'-shaped arrangement was also identified and characterized, which forms a zig-zag 1D extended structure via intermolecular Pt ... Pt interactions. When the 1:2 and the 1:3 ratios of Pt/Ag were used, heteronuclear complexes [Pt.sub.2][Ag.sub.4] [(2,2'-bpy).sub.2][([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.8] (2) and [Pt.sub.2][Ag.sub.6][(2,2'-bpy).sub.2][([O.sub.2] [CCF.sub.3]).sub.10] (3) were isolated, respectively, where the Ag(I) ions form cyclic structures with the Pt(2,2'-bpy)[([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.2] units at the terminal positions. Further increase of the amount of Ag([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]) used in the synthesis did not lead to the isolation of larger aggregates. The structures of compounds 1a, 1b, 2, and 3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. [sup.19]F NMR spectroscopic analysis established that these heterobimetallic complexes undergo dynamic exchanges in solution. Key words: heterobimetallic complexes, structure, silver, platinum, metal-metal interaction. On a observe que les reactions du Pt(2,2'-bpy)([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]) avec le Ag([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]) conduisent d'une facon systematique a la formation de complexes bimetalliques dans lesquels l'entite [[Pt(2,2'-bpy)].sup.2+] agit comme unite terminale de divers agregats [[Ag([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3])].sub.n]. La stoechiometrie et la structure de complexe heterobimetallique obtenu depend du rapport entre les quantites de Pt(2,2'-bpy)[([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.2] et de Ag([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]) utilises dans la synthese. Avec un rapport Pt:Ag egal a l'unite, on obtient un complexe [Pt.sub.2][Ag.sub.2][(2,2'-bpy).sub.2][([O.sub.2] [CCF.sub.3]).sub.6] (1a) dans lequel les quatre ions metalliques Pt-Ag-Ag-Pt forment un arrangement lineaire. Les molecules de 1a s'empilent dans le reseau cristallin par le biais d'interactions Pt ... Pt intramoleculaires qui forment une structure lineaire unidimensionnelle etendue. On a aussi mis en evidence la presence et caracterise un isomere de structure du produit 1a, [Pt.sub.2][Ag.sub.2][(2,2'-bpy).sub.2][([O.sub.2] [CCF.sub.3]).sub.6] (1b) dans lequel les quatre ions metalliques adoptent un arrangement en forme de << L >> et qui forment une structure etendue unidimensionnelle en zigzag par le biais d'interactions Pt ... Pt intramoleculaires. Avec des rapports de Pt:Ag egaux a 2 ou 3, on a isole respectivement les complexes heteronucleaires [Pt.sub.2][Ag.sub.4][(2,2'-bpy).sub.2][([O.sub.2] [CCF.sub.3]).sub.8] (2) et [Pt.sub.2][Ag.sub.6] [(2,2'-bpy).sub.2][([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]).sub.10] (3) dans lesquels les ions Ag(I) forment des structures cycliques avec des unites Pt(2,2'-bpy)[([O.sub.2] [CCF.sub.3]).sub.2] en positions terminales. Une utilisation dans les syntheses de quantites plus grandes de Ag([O.sub.2][CCF.sub.3]) ne conduit pas a la formation d'agregats plus gros. On a determine les structures des composes 1a, 1b, 2 et 3 par les techniques de diffraction des rayons X par un cristal unique. Une analyse par RMN du [sup.19]F a permis d'etablir que ces complexes heterobimetalliques donnent lieu a des echangent dynamiques en solution. Mots-cles : complexes heterobimetalliques, structure, argent, platine, interaction metal-metal. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction Coordination polymers have attracted much research attention recently because of their various potential applications in materials science, catalysis, etc. (1). One key challenge in coordination polymer synthesis is the [...]

The article offers information on the use of disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased medical waste and environmental concerns. Topics include project that introduced reusable isolation gowns in an intensive care unit, which were found to be comfortable, offered superior protection, and had significant economic benefits, suggesting that transitioning to reusable PPE could be a simple and effective step for hospitals to take.

Key points: Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an elevated ventilatory equivalent to CO2 production (V̇E/V̇CO2) during exercise, secondary to increased dead space ventilation. The reason for the increased dead space is unclear, although pulmonary microvascular dysfunction and the corresponding capillary hypoperfusion is a potential mechanism.Despite emerging evidence that mild COPD is associated with pulmonary microvascular dysfunction, limited research has focused on experimentally modulating the pulmonary microvasculature during exercise in mild COPD.The present study sought to examine the effect of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator, on V̇E/V̇CO2, dyspnoea and exercise capacity in patients with mild COPD.Experimental iNO increased peak oxygen uptake in mild COPD, secondary to reduced V̇E/V̇CO2 and dyspnoea.This is the first study to demonstrate that experimental manipulation of the pulmonary circulation alone, can positively impact dyspnoea and exercise capacity in mild COPD. Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an exaggerated ventilatory response to exercise, contributing to dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. Previous research in mild COPD has demonstrated an elevated ventilatory equivalent to CO2 production (V̇E/V̇CO2) during exercise, secondary to increased dead space ventilation. The reason for the increased dead space is unclear, although pulmonary microvascular dysfunction and the corresponding capillary hypoperfusion is a potential mechanism. The present study tested the hypothesis that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator, would lower V̇E/V̇CO2 and dyspnoea, and improve exercise capacity in patients with mild COPD. In this multigroup randomized‐control cross‐over study, 15 patients with mild COPD (FEV1 = 89 ± 11% predicted) and 15 healthy controls completed symptom‐limited cardiopulmonary exercise tests while breathing normoxic gas or 40 ppm iNO. Compared with placebo, iNO significantly increased peak oxygen uptake (1.80 ± 0.14 vs. 1.53 ± 0.10 L·min–1, P < 0.001) in COPD, whereas no effect was observed in controls. At an equivalent work rate of 60 W, iNO reduced V̇E/V̇CO2 by 3.8 ± 4.2 units (P = 0.002) and dyspnoea by 1.1 ± 1.2 Borg units (P < 0.001) in COPD, whereas no effect was observed in controls. Operating lung volumes and oxygen saturation were unaffected by iNO in both groups. iNO increased peak oxygen uptake in COPD, secondary to reduced V̇E/V̇CO2 and dyspnoea. These data suggest that mild COPD patients demonstrate pulmonary microvascular dysfunction that contributes to increased V̇E/V̇CO2, dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. This is the first study to demonstrate that experimental manipulation of the pulmonary circulation alone, can positively impact dyspnoea and exercise capacity in mild COPD. Key points: Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an elevated ventilatory equivalent to CO2 production (V̇E/V̇CO2) during exercise, secondary to increased dead space ventilation. The reason for the increased dead space is unclear, although pulmonary microvascular dysfunction and the corresponding capillary hypoperfusion is a potential mechanism.Despite emerging evidence that mild COPD is associated with pulmonary microvascular dysfunction, limited research has focused on experimentally modulating the pulmonary microvasculature during exercise in mild COPD.The present study sought to examine the effect of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator, on V̇E/V̇CO2, dyspnoea and exercise capacity in patients with mild COPD.Experimental iNO increased peak oxygen uptake in mild COPD, secondary to reduced V̇E/V̇CO2 and dyspnoea.This is the first study to demonstrate that experimental manipulation of the pulmonary circulation alone, can positively impact dyspnoea and exercise capacity in mild COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]