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Phase-retrieval problems are employed to tackle the challenge of recovering a complex signal from amplitude-only data. In phaseless spherical near-field antenna measurements, the task is to recover the complex coefficients describing the radiation behavior of the antenna under test (AUT) from amplitude near-field measurements. The coefficients refer, for example, to equivalent currents or spherical modes, and from these, the AUT’s far-field characteristic, which is usually of interest, can be obtained. In this article, the concept of a mask-based phase recovery is applied to spherical near-field antenna measurements. First, the theory of the mask approach is described with its mathematical definition. Then, several mask types based on random distributions, ϕ-rotations, or probes are introduced and discussed. Finally, the performances of the different masks are evaluated based on simulations with multiple AUTs and with Wirtinger flow as a phase-retrieval algorithm. The simulation results show that the mask approach can improve the reconstruction error depending on the number of masks, oversampling, and the type of mask.

Memory processes may rely on complex interactions between single-neuron activity and local field potentials. To better understand such spike–field relationships in humans, we examined human theta-phase locking—neuronal firing at similar theta phases over time—using single-neuron recordings in epilepsy patients performing a spatial memory task. Applying frequency-adaptive theta-phase estimation in a broad 1–10 Hz frequency range, we found that theta-phase locking was widespread in the human medial temporal lobe during memory encoding and retrieval. Time-resolved spectral parameterization and cycle-by-cycle analysis demonstrated stronger theta-phase locking during steep aperiodic slopes and prominent theta oscillations. Phase-locking strength was similar across successful and unsuccessful memory trials, with most neurons spiking at similar theta phases during encoding and retrieval. Some neurons shifted their preferred phase, supporting theories that encoding and retrieval are separated within the theta cycle. These results show how local field potential properties and memory states influence human theta-phase locking. The relationship between single-neuron activity and theta oscillations in the human brain remains unclear. Here, the authors demonstrate that human theta-phase locking is influenced by various properties of the local field potential and characterize its dynamics during spatial memory encoding and retrieval.

The-Optimal-Lymph-Flow (TOLF) is a patient-centered, web- and mobile-based mHealth system that delivers safe, easy, and feasible digital therapy of lymphatic exercises and limb mobility exercises. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to evaluate the effectiveness of the web- and mobile-based TOLF system for managing chronic pain and symptoms related to lymphedema. The primary outcome includes pain reduction, and the secondary outcomes focus on symptom relief, limb volume difference measured by infrared perometer, BMI, and quality of life (QOL) related to pain. We hypothesized that participants in the intervention group would have improved pain and symptom experiences, limb volume difference, BMI, and QOL. A parallel RCT with a control-experimental, pre- and posttest, and repeated-measures design were used. A total of 120 patients were recruited face-to-face at the point of care during clinical visits. Patients were randomized according to pain in a 1:1 ratio into either the arm precaution (AP) control group to improve limb mobility and arm protection or The-Optimal-Lymph flow (TOLF) intervention group to promote lymph flow and limb mobility. Trial outcomes were evaluated at baseline and at week 12 after the intervention. Descriptive statistics, Fisher exact tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, t test, and generalized linear mixed effects models were performed for data analysis. At the study endpoint of 12 weeks, significantly fewer patients in the TOLF intervention group compared with the AP control group reported chronic pain (45% [27/60] vs 70% [42/60]; odds ratio [OR] 0.39, 95% CI 0.17-0.90; P=.02). Patients who received the TOLF intervention were significantly more likely to achieve a complete reduction in pain (50% [23/46] vs 22% [11/51]; OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.39-9.76; P=.005) and soreness (43% [21/49] vs 22% [11/51]; OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.03-6.81; P=.03). Significantly lower median severity scores were found in the TOLF group for chronic pain (MedTOLF=0, IQR 0-1 vs MedAP=1, IQR 0-2; P=.02) and general bodily pain (MedTOLF=1, IQR=0-1.5 vs MedAP=1, IQR 1-3; P=.04). Compared with the AP control group, significantly fewer patients in the TOLF group reported arm/hand swelling (P=.04), heaviness (P=.03), redness (P=.03), and limited movement in shoulder (P=.02) and arm (P=.03). No significant differences between the TOLF and AP groups were found in complete reduction of aching (P=.12) and tenderness (P=.65), mean numbers of lymphedema symptom reported (P=.11), ≥5% limb volume differences (P=.48), and BMI (P=.12). The TOLF intervention had significant benefits for breast cancer survivors to manage chronic pain, soreness, general bodily pain, arm/hand swelling, heaviness, and impaired limb mobility. The intervention resulted in a 13% reduction (from 40% [24/60] to 27% [16/60]) in proportions of patients who took pain medications compared with the AP control group, which had a 5% increase (from 40% [24/60] to 45% [27/60]). A 12% reduction (from 27% [16/60] to 15% [9/60]) in proportions of patients with ≥5% limb volume differences was found in the TOLF intervention, while a 5% increase in the AP control group (from 40% [24/60] to 45% [27/60]) was found. In conclusion, the TOLF intervention can be a better choice for breast cancer survivors to reduce chronic pain and limb volume. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02462226; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02462226. RR2-10.2196/resprot.5104.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a syndrome of abnormal swelling coupled with multiple symptoms resulting from obstruction or disruption of the lymphatic system associated with cancer treatment. Research has demonstrated that with increased number of symptoms reported, breast cancer survivors' limb volume increased. Lymphedema symptoms in the affected limb may indicate a latent stage of lymphedema in which changes cannot be detected by objective measures. The latent stage of lymphedema may exist months or years before overt swelling occurs. Symptom report may play an important role in detecting lymphedema in clinical practice. The purposes of this study were to: 1) examine the validity, sensitivity, and specificity of symptoms for detecting breast cancer-related lymphedema and 2) determine the best clinical cutoff point for the count of symptoms that maximized the sum of sensitivity and specificity. Data were collected from 250 women, including healthy female adults, breast cancer survivors with lymphedema, and those at risk for lymphedema. Lymphedema symptoms were assessed using a reliable and valid instrument. Validity, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated using logistic regression, analysis of variance, and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves. Count of lymphedema symptoms was able to differentiate healthy adults from breast cancer survivors with lymphedema and those at risk for lymphedema. A diagnostic cutoff of three symptoms discriminated breast cancer survivors with lymphedema from healthy women with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 97% (area under the curve =0.98). A diagnostic cutoff of nine symptoms discriminated at-risk survivors from survivors with lymphedema with a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 80% (area under the curve =0.72). In the absence of objective measurements capable of detecting latent stages of lymphedema, count of symptoms may be a cost-effective initial screening tool for detecting lymphedema.

Many species of reef-building corals are mixotrophic, relying on both photoautotrophy performed by their dinoflagellate symbionts and heterotrophy from consumption of zooplankton. Autotrophy and heterotrophy supply corals with specific ω3 fatty acids, which can be used as trophic markers and record the contribution of each feeding strategy. This study investigated whether the reef-building coral Mussismilia hispida, endemic to Brazil, is able to shift between predominantly autotrophic and predominantly heterotrophic by monitoring the concentration of fatty acids in the host tissue. We then examined whether shifts are related to changes in temperature and wind stress. For that purpose, M. hispida colonies were monitored for a year with monthly tissue sampling. Symbiont concentration was determined and lipid extraction performed. Four fatty acids were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector: the autotrophy markers: stearidonic acid (SDA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and a heterotrophy marker: cis-gondoic acid (CGA). Three preliminary experiments confirmed the specificity of SDA, DPA and CGA, but not of DHA. Shifts of predominance occurred multiple times during the year and were associated with minimal temperatures and wind stress. Colonies underwent mild bleaching during summer months, which they seemed to compensate with heterotrophic feeding. Our major findings include the validation of three FATM and a trophic index for coral reef ecology studies and also describing the in situ occurrences of shifts between feeding modes, while highlighting the role of temperature and meteorological events.

This pilot, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as a complementary treatment to complete decongestive therapy (CDT) treating lymphedema among breast cancer patients for 12 months post-intervention. Study population was breast cancer patients who were diagnosed and referred to lymphedema clinic for CDT. Participants ( n  = 22) were randomized and assigned into either an active laser intervention group or an inactive laser placebo-control group. Active LLLT was administered to participants twice a week at the beginning of each CDT session. Outcome measures included lymphedema symptoms, symptom distress, and limb volume by an infrared perometer. Participants in the active and placebo laser groups were comparable in demographic and clinical predictors of lymphedema. In comparison with the placebo group (83.3%), significantly fewer participants in the active laser group (55.6%) reported more than one lymphedema symptom ( p  = 0.012) at 12 months post-intervention. Significantly, more patients in the active laser group (44.4%) reported less than two impaired limb mobility symptoms in comparison with the placebo group (33.3%) at 12 months post-intervention ( p  = 0.017). The active laser group had statistically significant improvements in symptom distress of sadness ( p  = 0.005) from 73 to 11% and self-perception ( p  = 0.030) from 36 to 0% over time from baseline to 12-months post-intervention. There was no significant reduction in limb volume. Findings of the trial demonstrated significant benefits of complementary LLLT for relieving symptoms and improvement of emotional distress in breast cancer patients with lymphedema.

Background The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global event with unprecedented impact on individuals and communities around the world. The purpose of this study is to use a modified photo-elicitation methodology to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of medical students and their communities around the world. Methods Participating medical students were asked to take photographs for 14 days. In lieu of an interview, which is customary for photo-elicitation projects, participants were asked to share a reflection (a paragraph or two) for each photograph they contributed to the study. Results Between April 27th, 2020 and May 11th, 2020 26 students from 19 medical schools across 13 countries shared photographs and reflections. Qualitative analysis of written reflections revealed that medical students felt the impact of the pandemic on several levels 1) individual, 2) interpersonal, 3) educational, and 4) societal. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of medical students on multiple levels. As individuals, students felt emotional distress but found resilience through physical activity and the establishment of new routines. Many students felt isolated as their interpersonal relationships were confined due to social distancing measures. These feelings could be combated with new educational initiatives focused on group collaboration. Lastly, students reflecting on the larger societal implications were concerned with the economic ramifications of the virus and its impact on their future. This study brought together students from several different countries to engage in an applied learning program as a model for equitable global health research.

Coral reefs are diverse ecosystems relying on the presence of dinoflagellates (genus Symbiodinium), that are found in symbiotic association with multiple phyla and performing the majority of primary production. However, coral reefs are currently threatened by climate change and the increase in seawater temperature, which causes the bleaching phenomenon. While bleaching has been well documented for adult host organisms, it is still poorly understood in larval stages. We offered Symbiodinium types within clades A–F to the larvae of Mussismilia hispida (scleractinian coral), Berghia stephanieae (nudibranch) and Tridacna crocea (giant clam) and manipulated the temperature to 26, 29 or 32 °C. Samples were taken at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post-temperature increase, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) was extracted and its content measured in a fluorometer. Symbiodinium type, temperature and time all influenced chl-a content. M. hispida larvae displayed a bleaching threshold at 29 °C; larvae containing Symbiodinium A–F all bleached at 32 °C, but with significantly lower bleaching in larvae associated with type A1. B. stephanieae digested the symbionts; while chl-a content decreased over time equally for all clades, it is not possible to determine if it is related to bleaching. T. crocea larvae at 29 °C bleached for all symbiont types, except for A1. At 32 °C, all types were bleached, but type A1 bleached significantly less. These findings show that type A1 seems to be more thermo-tolerant in larvae of the tested species. This may be related to the fact that strains within this clade are homologous to both M. hispida and T. crocea, as they are found within these adult host’ tissues. Therefore, symbiont type may have an important role in invertebrate larvae development and present relevant implications for recruitment.

  Within two months, the World Health Organization (WHO)Advisory Committee on Medical Research met and discussed the need to \"coordinate and stimulate biomedical research through bilateral and multinational arrangements,\" and to apply \"advances in knowledge in basic biology to urgent medical and public health problems.\" TDR principles: * Research carried out in the countries where the diseases occur and by scientists from those countries. * Long-term commitment to strengthening research capacity. * Partnership model--for identifying research priorities, setting up multidisciplinary projects, and managing these projects. * Organizational sponsorship and structure within the UN system, and a governance model that provides equitable input from low-, middle-, and high-income countries. * Continual assessment of progress and flexibility in changing the strategy and priorities.

Background Despite recent advances in breast cancer treatment, breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) continues to be a significant problem for many survivors. Some BCRL risk factors may be largely unavoidable, such as mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), or radiation therapy. Potentially avoidable risk factors unrelated to breast cancer treatment include minor upper extremity infections, injury or trauma to the arm, overuse of the limb, and air travel. This study investigates how providing information about BCRL affects the cognitive and symptomatic outcome of breast cancer survivors. Methods Data were collected from 136 breast cancer survivors using a Demographic and Medical Information interview instrument, a Lymphedema Education Status interview instrument, a Knowledge Test for cognitive outcome , and the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire for symptom outcome . Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t tests, chi-square (χ 2 ) tests, and regression. Results BCRL information was given to 57% of subjects during treatment. The mean number of lymphedema-related symptoms was 3 symptoms. Patients who received information reported significantly fewer symptoms and scored significantly higher in the knowledge test. After controlling for confounding factors, patient education remains an additional predictor of BCRL outcome. Significantly fewer women who received information about BCRL reported swelling, heaviness, impaired shoulder mobility, seroma formation, and breast swelling. Conclusions Breast cancer survivors who received information about BCRL had significantly reduced symptoms and increased knowledge about BCRL. In clinical practice, breast cancer survivors should be engaged in supportive dialogues so they can be educated about ways to reduce their risk of developing BCRL.