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Literary reception is a special case of language processing. The judgment of literature reveals deep social patterns with embodied cognition. In this study, we investigate how differences in literary quality resonate in the human brain. Modifying a series of stimuli previously used in studies of the emotional potential of Harry Potter, we alternate passages from the original novels with passages from imitative and intentionally poorly written fanfiction. EEG data shows how the three text types are processed differently by the brain. Comparing the brain activity of the readers for the various text types, we see a difference in the absolute power but not in the relative power of the frequency bands. Reading badfiction evokes the lowest activity. However, the functionality of this activity is the same for all texts since the relative power of the frequency bands does not differ. When comparing the participant groups, we observe the opposite situation. Here, different relative powers of the frequency bands reflect different judgments and reading habits of participants. For example, fans of Harry Potter, regular readers of fantasy texts, and generally frequent readers read the texts more attentively, which is reflected in a pronounced relative activity of the theta and alpha frequency bands. Non-frequent readers and readers who are not devoted to Harry Potter and fantasy in general have increased activity in the delta frequency band. This suggests their saliency detection is more prominent because they are less familiar with reading or the subject matter. To support our findings, we use the EEG data without averaging over stimuli and participants, capturing the participants' responses on the level of individual stimuli. A Kohonen self-organizing map trained on this more extensive data finds reliably detectable differences in the responses to passages from the original Harry Potter novels and fan- and badfiction. Our study allows for an interpretation of an adaptive brain response. Readers who enjoy Harry Potter or have experience with the fantasy genre show different reactions from those who do not. Thus, badfiction appears to be processed differently by the human brain, but not for all readers in the same way.

Nearly a third of patients with primary lung cancer present with malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO), and some of them appear to have advanced disease. In these patients, accurate staging is crucial. Although the literature extensively outlines the role of interventional bronchoscopy in palliation, its contribution to refining the staging of patients with MCAO is noteworthy. Here, we present a case of a patient initially diagnosed with stage IV cancer due to a left mainstem tumor causing complete lung collapse. He was referred to our institution for palliative treatment of his cough. Following interventional bronchoscopy, the patient's staging was revised to T1a, and subsequently, he underwent lobectomy without complications.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) can be asymptomatic or result in a range of complications such as brain abscesses or cryptogenic emboli, which can contribute to morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. To date, there have been several reports of delayed diagnosis of PAVMs, which have been largely attributed to the misconception that PAVMs are too rare to be of clinical significance. Furthermore, because intracardiac shunting secondary to a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or atrial septal defect (ASD) also results in a positive saline contrast study with echocardiography, PAVM can be easily misdiagnosed as an intracardiac right-toleft shunt. However, there are unique echocardiographic features that differentiate between intracardiac shunting due to a PFO or ASD and extracardiac shunting such as in PAVM. This case details the course of a patient with recurrent cryptogenic strokes that was initially misattributed to a PFO and was only correctly diagnosed with multiple PAVMs after two failed attempts at PFO closure. This case serves as a reminder of an alternative etiology of right-to-left shunt and its presentation on imaging, which echocardiographers must be familiar with.

Economic experiments have emerged as a powerful tool for agricultural policy evaluations. In this perspective, we argue that involving stakeholders in the design of economic experiments is critical to satisfy mandates for evidence‐based policies and encourage policymakers' usage of experimental results. To identify advantages and disadvantages of involving stakeholders when designing experiments, we synthesize observations from six experiments in Europe and North America. In these experiments, the primary advantage was the ability to learn within realistic decision environments and thus make relevant policy recommendations. Disadvantages include complicated implementation and constraints on treatment design. We compile 12 recommendations for researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While prominent theories of media effects suggest that the maintenance of societal perceptions (and misperceptions) is a critical and distinct outcome of exposure to mediated communication, the "maintenance effect" remains poorly understood. This article provides a theoretical conceptualization and operational approach to the maintenance effect. The first part addresses the distinct properties of the maintenance effect and proposes a conceptualization anchored in theories of cognitive media effects. The second part focuses on the psychological mechanisms behind the maintenance effect, outlining factors operating in the short and long run. Finally, building upon recent statistical developments for longitudinal data analysis, the third part suggests and illustrates a specific empirical approach for analyzing the maintenance effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intro: Functional mediastinal paragangliomas arise from extra-adrenal tissues and are rare. These cases create challenges related to diagnosis, peri-operative management, and surgical management. We present a case that demonstrates a planned robot-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a mediastinal paraganglioma that ultimately required a trans-sternal resection of the tumor off the left atrium. Case report: Our patient is a 42-year-old male with a prolonged history of refractory hypertension, palpitations, headaches, and diaphoresis, which led to the discovery of a subcarinal functional mediastinal paraganglioma. The patient was brought to the operating room for a right robotic-assisted thoracoscopic subcarinal dissection with attempted resection of the mass. Subsequently, the patient's paraganglioma was successfully resected off the left atrium using a trans-sternal approach, cardiopulmonary bypass, and cardioplegic arrest. He was successfully transitioned to minimal anti-hypertensive medication post-operatively. Discussion: Pheochromocytomas are neural-crest derived tumors that typically arise from the adrenal medulla. Rarely, paragangliomas arise in the thoracic cavity, at an approximate incidence of 2%. Our sequential approach offered the potential for a minimally invasive resection, and though initially unsuccessful, safely elucidated the feasibility of resection using cardiopulmonary bypass after confirming no invasion of the airway, esophagus, or other mediastinal structures.

Intro: Unilateral pulmonary artery atresia (UPAA), while encountered frequently in the congenital cardiac anomaly cohort, is occasionally diagnosed in adulthood after typical symptoms of hemoptysis, pulmonary infection, or as an incidental finding on contrast CT scan. Due to its rarity, a brief discussion of UPAA and its treatment is warranted. Case report: A 35 year old male presented with three days of hemoptysis. After diagnosis of right UPAA, he underwent angioembolization of 6 large systemic collaterals supplying his right lung, followed by right pneumonectomy. He was discharged on post-operative day 3, and at follow up 6 weeks later was doing well with minimal residual incisional pain and excellent pulmonary reserve. Conclusions: UPAA presents classically with hemoptysis, but also with pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, or incidentally. Management includes selective collateral embolization, pneumonectomy, or medical management directed towards decreasing pulmonary hypertension in patients unable to tolerate pneumonectomy due to comorbidities. Pneumonectomy in these patients is characterized by dense and hypervascular adhesions, with large volume blood loss expected during adhesiolysis, which can be decreased with pre-operative embolization. Outcomes are typically excellent in otherwise healthy patients. Keywords: Adult unilateral pulmonary artery atresia