Behavioral scientists – including those in psychology, infant and child development, education, animal behavior, marketing and usability studies – use many methods to measure behavior. Systematic ...observation is used to study relatively natural, spontaneous behavior as it unfolds sequentially in time. This book emphasizes digital means to record and code such behavior; while observational methods do not require them, they work better with them. Key topics include devising coding schemes, training observers and assessing reliability, as well as recording, representing and analyzing observational data. In clear and straightforward language, this book provides a thorough grounding in observational methods along with considerable practical advice. It describes standard conventions for sequential data and details how to perform sequential analysis with a computer program developed by the authors. The book is rich with examples of coding schemes and different approaches to sequential analysis, including both statistical and graphical means.
Background and Aims Pathogenesis of birth asphyxia has yet to be fully elucidated. To explore the mechanism of HR injury we followed the temporal profile of a priori selected genes in the newborn ...mouse brain. Methods 84 C57BL/6 mice (postnatal day 7) were randomized to 120 minutes of hypoxia (FiO2 0.08, n=64) or 180 minutes in air (controls (C21), n=20). The hypoxia group was randomized to 30 min reoxygenation with FiO2 0.60 (H60) or air (H21). After observation in air for 0, 150, 300 minutes or 3 days, organs were harvested. Homogenate of hippocampus and striatum was analyzed for mRNA expression of 44 genes by real-time PCR. Results Lcn2, Mt1, Hmox1 and Vegfa were significantly up-regulated (p<0.05) after 0–300 min observation when comparing H21vsC21 and H60vsC21. Ccl2, Ccl12 and Tnf were up-regulated from 0–150 min, Stat3 from 150–300 min, while Ccnd1 was down-regulated at 0 min in both comparisons. In the H21vsC21 comparison at 0 min, Neil3 and Apaf1 were down-regulated. When comparing H60vsH21, Cxcl10 (0 min) and Hmox1 (300 min) were up-regulated while Neil3 (0 min) was down-regulated. There were no significant gene expression changes after 3 days. Conclusions Genes important in inflammation (Lcn2, Mt1, Ccl2, Ccl12, Cxcl10, Tnf, Hmox1), apoptosis (Lcn2, Mt1, Tnf, Hmox1, Vegfa), angiogenesis (Vegfa), and transcription regulation (Stat3) were induced up to 300 minutes after hypoxia-reoxygenation while the DNA-glycosylase Neil3 was suppressed. The up-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Cxcl10 after hyperoxic compared to normoxic reoxygenation, confirms that hyperoxia induces additional inflammation.
Previous studies that inferred the observation error statistics from the innovation statistics can only provide the second moment of the error probability density function (pdf). However, the ...observation errors are sometimes non‐Gaussian, for example, for observation operators with unknown representation errors, or for bounded observations. In this study, we propose a new method, the Deconvolution‐based Observation Error Estimation (DOEE), to infer the full observation error pdf. DOEE does not rely on linear assumptions on the observation operator, the optimality of the data assimilation algorithm, or implicit Gaussian assumptions on the error pdf. The main assumption of DOEE is the availability of an ensemble of background forecasts following the independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) assumption. We conduct idealized experiments to demonstrate the ability of the DOEE to accurately retrieve a non‐Gaussian (bimodal, skewed, or bounded) observation error pdf. We then apply the DOEE to construct a state‐dependent observation error model for satellite radiances by stratifying the observation errors based on cloud amount. In general, we find that the observation error pdfs in many categories are skewed. By adding a new predictor, total column water vapor (TCWV), into the state‐dependent model, we find that for cloudy pixels, when TCWV is small, the observation error pdfs are quite similar and Gaussian‐like, whereas when TCWV is large, the observation error pdfs differ for different cloud amount, while all of them are positively biased. This result suggests that exploring other predictors, like cloud type, might improve the stratification of the observation error model. We also discuss ways to include a non‐parametric observation error pdf into modern data assimilation schemes, including a consideration of the strong‐constraint 4D‐Var perspective, as well as the implications for other observation types including observations with bounded range.
We propose a new method, the Deconvolution‐based Observation Error Estimation (DOEE), to infer the non‐parametric observation error pdf, without the linear assumption on the observation operator, the optimality of the data assimilation algorithm, or any implicit Gaussian assumptions on the errors. The main assumption of DOEE is the availability of an ensemble of background forecasts following the independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) assumption. DOEE can retrieve non‐parametric (bimodal, skewed) observation error pdfs accurately.
We present an unusual onset of cutaneous lichen planus (LP) in a middle-aged patient. The initial presentation as solitary, indolent pink lesion required further investigations to rule out ...malignancy, especially amelanotic melanoma. Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy findings were found to be helpful in our case in addressing the correct diagnosis.
White rosettes are shiny white structures seen as four oval-shaped points that come together in the center. They resemble four-leaf clover 1. Earlier it was thought they were specific for actinic ...keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma, but they are noted in many other conditions 2. With polarized light dermoscopy, it is evident that rosettes are seen only and they are due to the optical effect between polarized light and follicular structures 3. Here, authors describe cases of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) demonstrating rosettes under polarized dermoscopy.
A 43-year-old Japanese man presented with reddish nodules on the ankle. The nodules had a yellowish crust and eroded surface. Dermoscopy revealed red to milky-red globules at the periphery and some ...glomerular vessels in the center and a whitish-pink network, which corresponded to capillary dilatation in the papillary dermis and prominent acanthosis, respectively. These structures were surrounded by a yellowish peripheral structureless area and multiple white, small, round structures in the center, corresponding to the macerated horny layer and keratin plugs. Blood samples were positive for rapid plasma reagin (1:64), Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (1:20480), and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (1:1280). A lesional skin biopsy specimen showed irregular acanthosis and papillomatosis. The Warthin-Starry and anti-Treponema pallidum antibody stains on the biopsy specimen revealed many spirochetes in the lower epidermis and the papillary dermis. A diagnosis of secondary syphilis with condylomata lata was made. After one week of treatment with oral benzylpenicillin benzathine hydrate (Bicillin(®) G granules 400,000 units; Banyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan), 1.6 million units (U) daily, the ankle lesions had resolved with a small ulcer and pigmentation. Although syphilis is a relatively common disease, this case study reports an unusual presentation as well as dermoscopy findings.
Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used for intravenous medication administration. However, biofilm formation along the catheter surface is the main most important cause of catheter-related ...bloodstream infections. Nowadays, several antimicrobial-coated catheters are available to prevent biofilm development. In this study, we introduced a new dynamic in vitro model to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against bacterial biofilms on CVCs. Rifampicin–minocycline-coated catheters and control catheters without antimicrobial component were assembled into the model to test the antimicrobial activity on external surface and internal surface. After 1 h irrigation of Staphylococcus epidermidis or Staphylococcus aureus preculture and 23 h irrigation of Trypticase Soy Broth, the viable adherent organism was collected and counted. The enumeration results showed that the number of bacteria attached to antibacterial catheter was significantly less than that of the control catheter, both on external surface (P < 0.05) and internal surface (P < 0.05). The results were further confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy. In conclusion, the dynamic in vitro model can be applied to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against bacterial biofilms grown on the external and internal surfaces of CVCs used in clinical practice.IMPORTANCEFor the first time, a new dynamic in vitro model was constructed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against bacterial biofilms on central venous catheters (CVCs) on both external surface and internal surface. This model could be applied to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against bacterial biofilms not only on CVCs but also other types of catheters.
The tkt (transketolase) gene is one of the seven gene fragments used in the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) system for Streptococcus agalactiae. We discovered that the tkt_134 allele is derived ...from a homologous gene (which we designate tktX) that is not present in all S. agalactiae; all known strains that contain a match to the tkt_134 allele also contain a gene sequence that is much closer in sequence identity to the other non-tkt_134 alleles (i.e., the canonical tkt gene) in the database. Based on these data, the tkt_134 allele has been removed from the MLST database as of September 2021, and all sequence types containing tkt_134 have also been removed.IMPORTANCEMultilocus sequence typing (MLST) databases are a common good and remain important for research, medical, and epidemiological purposes. This remains true even in the context of widespread whole-genome sequencing. We discovered a contaminating allele of the tkt gene in the S. agalactiae MLST database that led to unstable, ambiguous, or erroneous MLST assignment. The allele has since been removed from the public database based on the results presented in this manuscript.
Detection of HIV infection may be challenging in persons using long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) due to viral suppression and reduced/delayed antibody production. We ...evaluated two point-of-care tests for detecting HIV infection in persons who received CAB-LA in the HPTN 083 trial. Samples were obtained from 12 participants who received CAB-LA and had delayed detection of HIV infection using HIV rapid tests and an antigen/antibody test (52 plasma samples; 18 dried blood spot DBS samples). Plasma samples were tested with the Xpert HIV-1 Viral Load XC test (Xpert VL-XC); DBS samples were tested with the total nucleic acid Xpert HIV-1 Qual XC test (Xpert Qual-XC). Results from these assays were compared to results from three reference, laboratory-based, plasma RNA assays (Aptima HIV-1 Qualitative assay Aptima Qual; Aptima HIV-1 Quant DX Assay Aptima Quant; cobas HIV-1/HIV-2 Qualitative Test cobas). HIV RNA was detected with all four plasma assays for all samples with viral loads (VLs) ≥ 200 copies/mL; the number of samples with VLs < 200 copies/mL with HIV RNA detected was: Xpert VL-XC: 19/26 (73.1%); Aptima Qual: 17/26 (65.4%); Aptima Quant: 17/26 (65.4%); and cobas: 12/21 (57.1%). The Xpert Qual-XC assay was positive for all DBS samples with VLs ≥ 200 copies/mL and 1/10 DBS with VLs < 200 copies/mL. The performance of the Xpert VL-XC assay was comparable to the reference assays for detecting HIV infection in these cases. The Xpert Qual-XC assay was less sensitive than plasma-based HIV RNA assays for detecting HIV in the setting of CAB-LA PrEP.IMPORTANCEHIV RNA assays can detect HIV infections earlier than HIV rapid tests or Ag/Ab tests in persons using CAB-LA PrEP. Earlier HIV diagnosis could allow for earlier treatment initiation and reduced risk of INSTI resistance. POC tests may help detect HIV infection before CAB-LA administration and may be more accessible than laboratory-based assays in some settings. In this study, the POC Xpert VL-XC assay detected HIV RNA in most samples from individuals who received CAB-LA PrEP and had delayed detection of HIV infection with HIV rapid tests and an Ag/Ab test. The performance of this assay was similar to laboratory-based HIV RNA assays in this cohort. The POC Xpert Qual-XC assay detects both HIV RNA and DNA, with a higher viral load cutoff for RNA detection. This assay was negative for most lower viral load samples and did not offer an advantage for HIV screening in persons using CAB-LA PrEP.
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