bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stand der Weiterbildung aus Sicht der Ärzt*innen in Weiterbildung
Authors: Doukas Panagiotis , Marchiori Elena , Adili Farzin , Meisenbacher Katrin , Mulorz Joscha
Published: September 2023

Fragestellung

Die umfassende Weiterbildung des gefäßchirurgischen Nachwuchses bleibt auch im Jahr 2023 ein relevantes Thema für angehende Gefäßchirurg*innen und Weiterbildende. Dabei bewegt sich die Weiterbildung der modernen Gefäßchirurg*in im Spannungsfeld zwischen praktischer, theoretischer und akademischer Ausbildung. Hier stellt sich die Frage, inwieweit die verschiedenen Anforderungen der Weiterbildung im klinischen Alltag der Assistenzärzt*innen abgedeckt und strukturierte Lehrcurricula überhaupt vorhanden und umgesetzt werden.

Material und Methoden

Um den aktuellen Weiterbildungsstatus der Assistenzärzt*innen in Deutschland zu eruieren, führte das Junge Forum der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gefäßchirurgie und Gefäßmedizin (DGG) vom 22. Mai 2023 bis zum 9. Juni 2023 eine Umfrage unter allen ihren Mitgliedern in Weiterbildung durch. Die Umfrage umfasste dabei verschiedene Aspekte der Weiterbildung von der Lehre praktischer Fertigkeiten bis zu strukturellen Aspekten.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt nahmen 81 Mitglieder der DGG teil. Das Durchschnittsalter lag bei 35 Jahren, der Frauenanteil bei 38,3 %. 48 % der Befragten arbeiteten in Krankenhäusern der Maximalversorgung. Insgesamt waren 39,5 % mit ihrer Weiterbildung zufrieden oder sehr zufrieden, während 30,7 % nur mäßig zufrieden waren. Strukturierte Weiterbildungskonzepte existierten in 53 % der Kliniken. 55 % der Teilnehmenden würden ihre Weiterbildungseinrichtung weiterempfehlen.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Umfrage zeigt ein deutliches Verbesserungspotenzial bei der Umsetzung der gefäßchirurgischen Weiterbildung in fast allen Bereichen. Zudem gibt es ein großes Bedürfnis nach alternativen Arbeitszeitkonzepten, um Freiräume für akademisches Arbeiten und Privatleben zu schaffen. Diese Aspekte gilt es in Zukunft zu adressieren, um eine größere Zufriedenheit und Qualität der gefäßchirurgischen Weiterbildung herzustellen.
The Challenges and Opportunities for Mental Health Twin Research in Nigeria
Authors: Oginni Olakunle Ayokunmi , Ayorinde Ayoyinka , Ayodele Kehinde Dorcas , Opara Onyedikachi Joseph , Mapayi Boladale , Mosaku Kolawole
Published: September 2023

The recent interest in increasing diversity in genetic research can be useful in uncovering novel insights into the genetic architecture of mental health disorders – globally and in previously unexplored settings such as low- and middle-income settings like Nigeria. Genetic research into mental health is potentially promising in Nigeria and we reflect on the challenges and opportunities for twin research which may be particularly suited to Nigeria. The higher rates of twinning in Africa and Nigeria specifically, make the twin design an affordable and readily maintainable approach for genetic research in the country. Despite potential challenges with recruitment, data collection, data analysis and dissemination; the success of current efforts suggest that the twin design can tapped even further for greater impact in the country. We highlight some ways in which the scope of twin research can be increased and suggest some ways in which existing challenges can be overcome including recent Patient Participant Involve and Engagement activities.
Investigation into the Influence of Socio-Cultural Factors on Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Kim Seong-Won , Lee Youngjun
Published: September 2023

In this study, the influence of socio-cultural factors on attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) was investigated. In total, 1,677 Korean middle school students were selected to participate, and a test tool was used to measure the attitude toward AI. As a result, according to socio-cultural factors, middle school students’ attitudes toward AI were affected differently by gender- or AI-related experiences. In particular, students experiencing difficulties because of socio-cultural factors showed a more positive attitude toward AI if they had an AI education. On the other hand, interest toward AI and programming experience had a significant effect on attitudes toward AI and was not affected by socio-cultural factors. In particular, students with high interest toward AI or experience with block- and text-based programming languages showed significantly positive attitudes toward AI. Hence, the disparity in middle school students’ attitude toward AI according to socio-cultural factors was found.
The impact of environmental factors on traits of Hedera helix L. vegetative shoots
Authors: Blinkova Olena , Rawlik Katarzyna , Jagodziński Andrzej M.
Published: September 2023

Hedera helix L. is an evergreen vine native to Europe. Nowadays, it is commonly recognized as an expansive species, posing danger to biodiversity of natural ecosystems. Obtaining the relationships between morphological variability, productive parameters of vegetative individuals, and variations in environmental factors (on the example of the Kórnik Arboretum) is important for understanding the successful adaptation and dispersion of H. helix. Thus, the issue of our studies was to discover the link between environmental factors and morphometric measurements of H. helix. We collected data on leaf length, leaf width, leaf petiole length, plant stem length, and the number of leaves per stem. We assessed values of ecological plasticity and correlation between the studied parameters. The results indicated the tolerance of ivy to wide variation in edaphic conditions. The limiting environmental factors for growth of the studied subpopulations were soil moisture and light intensity. We found large variability of leaf morphometric parameters and shoot length. Close correlation links were detected between leaf length/leaf width, leaf length/leaf petiole length, and leaf width/leaf petiole length. The length of the average leaf and the length of leaf petiole were the most variable parameters under different values of light intensity. Weak relationships were found between light intensity at the soil surface and plant stem length/the number of leaves per shoot. A high level of index of morphological integration of H. helix individuals and a close relationship between the quality index/subpopulation compositions were established in this study. A direct relationship between light intensity and specific leaf area values was established. The value of specific leaf area decreased linearly with increasing light intensity at the soil surface.
Special issue dedicated to the 8th International Conference on Variable Neighborhood Search (ICVNS 2021)
Authors: Mladenović Nenad , Sifaleras Angelo , Sleptchenko Andrei
Published: September 2023

This special issue contains 15 papers submitted by the participants of the 8th International Conference on Variable Neighborhood Search (ICVNS 2021), which was held in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., online due to COVID-19 restrictions, on March 22–24, 2021.
In Situ Spatially Resolved Coating Thickness Measurements in Thermal Spraying
Authors: Hudomalj Uroš , Fallahi Sichani Ehsan , Weiss Lukas , Nabavi Majid , Wegener Konrad
Published: September 2023

Achieving target coating thickness is one of the main objectives in thermal spraying. Despite this, there is a lack of measurement methods that could evaluate in situ the coating thickness with a sufficient accuracy that could be used as a robust feedback signal for online, closed-loop process control. This paper presents a novel approach for in situ spatially resolved coating thickness measurements. The measurement technique is based on a high-resolution 3D camera to capture the surface topography and include it in the thickness measurement. The technique provides results of total coating thickness with excellent accuracy when compared to the reference microscopical method. It also gives a 3D view of the coating thicknesses around the observed area as well as information about the thickness of individual coating layers. Moreover, the approach enables in situ evaluation of surface roughness, and a nondestructive estimation of coating porosity.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2), a New Gene Involved in the Genesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Nicotera Antonio Gennaro , Amore Greta , Saia Maria Concetta , Vinci Mirella , Musumeci Antonino , Chiavetta Valeria , Federico Concetta , Spoto Giulia , Saccone Salvatore , Di Rosa Gabriella , Calì Francesco
Published: September 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a long-known complex neurodevelopmental disorder, and over the past decades, with the enhancement of the research genomic techniques, has been the object of intensive research activity, and many genes involved in the development and functioning of the central nervous system have been related to ASD genesis. Herein, we report a patient with severe ASD carrying a G > A de novo variant in the FGFR2 gene, determining a missense mutation. FGFR2 encodes for the ubiquitous fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) type 2, a tyrosine kinase receptor implicated in several biological processes. The mutated version of this protein is known to be responsible for several variable overlapping syndromes. Even if there still is only sparse and anecdotal data, recent research highlighted a potential role of FGFR2 on neurodevelopment. Our findings provide new insights into the potential causative role of FGFR2 gene in complex neurodevelopmental disorders.
Diverse functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Xiong Xin , Zhang Yang , Wen Yu
Published: September 2023

Since myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were found suppressing immune responses in cancer and other pathological conditions, subsequent researchers have pinned their hopes on the suppressive function against immune damage in autoimmune diseases. However, recent studies have found key distinctions of MDSC immune effects in cancer and autoimmunity. These include not only suppression and immune tolerance, but MDSCs also possess pro-inflammatory effects and exacerbate immune disorders during autoimmunity, while promoting T cell proliferation, inducing Th17 cell differentiation, releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and causing direct tissue damage. Additionally, MDSCs could interact with surrounding cells to directly cause tissue damage or repair, sometimes even as an inflammatory indicator in line with disease severity. These diverse manifestations could be partially attributed to the heterogeneity of MDSCs, but not all. The different disease types, disease states, and cytokine profiles alter the diverse phenotypes and functions of MDSCs, thus leading to the impairment or obversion of MDSC suppression. In this review, we summarize the functions of MDSCs in several autoimmune diseases and attempt to elucidate the mechanisms behind their actions.
Space–time heterogeneity of drought characteristics in Sabah and Sarawak, East Malaysia: implications for developing effective drought monitoring and mitigation strategies
Authors: Huang Yuk Feng , Ng Jing Lin , Fung Kit Fai , Weng Tan Kok , AlDahoul Nouar , Ahmed Ali Najah , Sherif Mohsen , Chaplot Barkha , Chong Kai Lun , Elshafie Ahmed
Published: September 2023

Natural calamities like droughts have harmed not just humanity throughout history but also the economy, food, agricultural production, flora, animal habitat, etc. A drought monitoring system must incorporate a study of the geographical and temporal fluctuation of the drought characteristics to function effectively. This study investigated the space–time heterogeneity of drought features across Sabah and Sarawak, East Malaysia. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPIs) at timescales of 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months was selected to determine the spatial distribution of drought characteristics. Rainfall hydrographs for the area for 30 years between 1988 and 2017 have been used in this study. A total of six five-year sub-periods were studied, with an emphasis on the lowest and highest drought occurrence. The sub-periods were a division of the 30 years over an arbitrary continual division for convenience. The results showed that the sub-periods 1993–1997 and 2008–2012 had the highest and lowest comparative drought events. The drought conditions were particularly severe in Central and Eastern  parts of East Malaysia, owing to El Nino events and the country's hilly terrain. Understanding how and when drought occurs can aid in establishing and developing drought mitigation strategies for the region.
How Do Executive Functions Influence Children’s Reasoning About Counterintuitive Concepts in Mathematics and Science?
Authors: Dumontheil Iroise , Wilkinson Hannah R. , Farran Emily K. , Smid Claire , Modhvadia Roshni , Mareschal Denis ,   the UnLocke team, Bell Derek , Brookman-Byrne Annie , Gauthier Andrea , de Jong Roos , Holmes Wayne , Mayer Sveta , Morris Su , Porayska-Pomsta Kaśka , Sumanapala Dilini , Thomas Michael , Tolmie Andy
Published: September 2023

Many scientific and mathematical concepts are counterintuitive because they conflict with misleading perceptual cues or incorrect naive theories that we build from our everyday experiences of the world. Executive functions (EFs) influence mathematics and science achievement, and inhibitory control (IC), in particular, might facilitate counterintuitive reasoning. Stop & Think (S&T) is a computerised learning activity that trains IC skills. It has been found effective in improving primary children’s mathematics and science academic performance in a large scale RCT trial (Palak et al., 2019; Wilkinson et al., Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 4, 296–314, 2020). The current study aimed to investigate the role of EFs and the moderating effects of S&T training on counterintuitive mathematics and science reasoning. A sample of 372 children in school Years 3﻿ (7- to 8-year-olds) and 5 (9- to 10-year-olds) were allocated to S&T, active control or teaching as usual conditions, and completed tasks assessing verbal and visuospatial working memory (WM), IC, IQ, and counterintuitive reasoning, before and after training. Cross-sectional associations between counterintuitive reasoning and EF were found in Year 5 children, with evidence of a specific role of verbal WM. The intervention benefited counterintuitive reasoning in Year 3 children only and EF measures were not found to predict which children would most benefit from the intervention. Combined with previous research, these results suggest that individual differences in EF play a lesser role in counterintuitive reasoning in younger children, while older children show a greater association between EFs and counterintuitive reasoning and are able to apply the strategies developed during the S&T training to mathematics and science subjects. This work contributes to understanding why specifically the S&T intervention is effective. This work was preregistered with the ISRCTN registry (TRN: 54726482) on 10/10/2017.
Operationalising Pluriliteracies in a Lesson Planning Tool for Vocational CLIL Teachers
Authors: Bacovsky-Novak Tatjana
Published: September 2023

Whilst researchers agree that the integration of content and language goals is the operative principle behind any successful CLIL programme, there is an ongoing debate over how we can best conceptualise this integration for practical use. A promising way of integrating content and language goals in CLIL teaching is foregrounding the subject/pluriliteracies skills relevant to the respective CLIL subjects, and using them as a guide to offer targeted language support and multimodal scaffolding measures. Yet the content teachers typically involved in CLIL programmes in Austria are seldom trained in subject literacy education or foreign language teaching methodology, which makes the task of translating a content and language integrated model into CLIL practice especially demanding. This becomes even more challenging at Austrian technical colleges, where CLIL programmes typically focus on highly specialised technical content subjects in which cognitive demand is high in terms of both content and language. To support teachers at technical colleges in implementing an integrated CLIL model, this project aims at developing a CLIL lesson planning tool that operationalises subject literacy for the context of technical colleges. Following a design-based research (DBR) approach, the tool is designed in collaboration with two novice CLIL teachers and tested in their respective subjects recycling technology and control engineering. Both the process and the outcome of this project offer new insights into CLIL lesson planning and vocational CLIL in general. The lesson planning tool itself holds the potential to improve CLIL practice in the often-neglected context of vocational CLIL, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Promoting interprofessional education in surgery: development and evaluation of a clinical curriculum
Authors: Kim Eric K. , Krauter Roseanne , Zhao Nina W.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Interprofessional collaboration is essential in surgery, but health professions students have limited opportunities for interprofessional education (IPE) during training in authentic patient-care settings. This report describes the development and evaluation of a clinical interprofessional elective in otolaryngology for medical (MD) and nurse practitioner (NP) students.

Methods

MD and NP students were paired together on an inpatient otolaryngology consult service for one- or two-week rotations designed to promote interprofessional learning objectives. Students worked with different professions essential to the care of patients with voice, airway, and swallowing conditions, including surgeons, advanced practice providers, speech-language pathologists, nurses, and respiratory therapists. Students completed written daily reflections about their experiences and pre- and post-rotation surveys to assess comfort with course learning objectives. Paired t-tests and Cohen’s d effect sizes were used to compare pre/post responses, and thematic analysis was used to analyze all narrative data.

Results

Fourteen students (8 MD, 6 NP) students completed the rotation. All participants reported significant improvements on all learning objectives (p < 0.05) with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d range: 1.2–2.9), including their understanding of the responsibilities of each interprofessional team member. Participants described three overarching themes that characterized their learning experiences and supported the learning objectives: appreciation for interprofessional patient care, benefits of learning with an interprofessional peer, and clinician role modeling of effective interprofessional communication.

Conclusions

IPE can be successfully integrated into a clinical surgical rotation and enhance students’ understanding of the benefits of and strategies for effective interprofessional collaboration. The elective can serve as a model for IPE rotations in other surgical subspecialties and be extended to include students across the continuum of health professions education.
Remembering Someone Else's Past: The Social Psychology of Odysseus’ Fake Autobiographies (Od. 14 and 19)
Authors: Valle Salazar Luca
Published: September 2023

This article discusses some social and psychological aspects involved in two of Odysseus’ lying tales (Od. 14.192–359 and 19.165–248). If one understands remembering as reconstructing the past, this reconstructive element leaves room for forgery and deception. Telling credible lies involves many of the same cognitive structures used in the sharing of authentic personal memories. Odysseus’ fake autobiographical stories in the guise of a Cretan beggar offer an interesting case study of this overlap between reconstructed memories and credible lies. Drawing on recent studies on autobiographical memory and on parallel examples in our contemporary world, the aim of this paper is to analyse some narrative and psychological features of Odysseus’ fake memories, as well as the social functions that they fulfil in the fiction of the poem. It will be shown that, speaking with Eumaios, Odysseus builds his story using a conventional structure common to ‘truthful’ autobiographies in the fictional world of the epics, while with Penelope his autobiographical memories are co-narrated during the dialogue, guided by the emotions mutually aroused between narrator and narratee.
An interview with Vladimir Tikhonchuk
Authors: Zhu Ping
Published: September 2023

Vladimir Tikhonchuk, Professor Emeritus at Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications, University of Bordeaux, France, and senior researcher at the Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, ELI-Beamlines Facility, Czech Republic. His research is in the domain of high energy density physics and nonlinear optics, including inertial confinement fusion (ICF), dynamic processes in laboratory astrophysics, laser–plasma interactions, excitation of parametric instabilities, generation of magnetic and electric fields, acceleration of charged particles and energy transport.
A BALL QUOTIENT PARAMETRIZING TRIGONAL GENUS 4 CURVES
Authors: LOOIJENGA EDUARD
Published: September 2023

We consider the moduli space of genus 4 curves endowed with a
$g^1_3$
(which maps with degree 2 onto the moduli space of genus 4 curves). We prove that it defines a degree
$\frac {1}{2}(3^{10}-1)$
cover of the nine-dimensional Deligne–Mostow ball quotient such that the natural divisors that live on that moduli space become totally geodesic (their normalizations are eight-dimensional ball quotients). This isomorphism differs from the one considered by S. Kondō, and its construction is perhaps more elementary, as it does not involve K3 surfaces and their Torelli theorem: the Deligne–Mostow ball quotient parametrizes certain cyclic covers of degree 6 of a projective line and we show how a level structure on such a cover produces a degree 3 cover of that line with the same discriminant, yielding a genus 4 curve endowed with a
$g^1_3$
.
Mark 1:1: How to Display Differences in Biblical Manuscripts in Editions and Translations
Authors: Lundahl Kalle O.
Published: September 2023

This study has selected Codex Sinaiticus and Mark 1:1 as a test case to propose a new way for Greek New Testament editions and translations to present textual uncertainties in manuscripts. The article suggests that editors and translators use a partial cancellation type of erasure in a continuous line over problematic text. This method draws inspiration from a technique used by Martin Heidegger and Jacques Derrida known as sous rature (under erasure). This form of limited cancellation aims to expel indifference and elicit a visceral reaction in the reader. The technique also has a philosophical and theological aim, namely, to work within Heidegger’s view of truth as a process of hiding and revealing. Finally, the limited cancellation, which both conceals and shows, fits with the theme of “messianic secret” in Mark’s Gospel, wherein Jesus both reveals and hides his identity.
International overview of health technology assessment training tools and materials for patients and consumers
Authors: Low Eunice , André-Vert Joëlle , Fanelli Gaëlle , Galbraith Margaret
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The study, conducted by the French National Authority for Health (HAS), aimed to identify available online health technology assessment (HTA) training tools for patients, specifically those used by HTA bodies (HTAbs) and major selected European and international patient and consumer groups (PCGs), to inform an HTA training approach for HAS.

Methods

A literature search, a review of selected websites, semi-structured interviews with HTAbs and patient groups, and discussion within a dedicated working group to help target the needs and preferences of patients and consumers were conducted. Online HTA training tools relating to HTA and patient and public involvement (PPI), published or translated into English or French, were included in the study results.

Results

Eighty-two online HTA training tools for patients and consumers were selected according to the specified inclusion criteria coming from sixteen international HTAbs, nine European and international PCGs, and thirteen other organizations. Two main categories emerged: the first relating to HTA and the second relating to PPI in HTA. The formats of these tools ranged from interactive and non-interactive formats with varying accessibility and assessment methods. No journal articles mentioned explicitly the content and format of PCG training tools.

Conclusions

This research served as a basis for HAS to develop their own HTA training tools and materials for patients and consumers. Two training tools were subsequently developed, guided by the needs and preferences of a patient and consumer working group, and were published on the HAS website in November 2022.
Using social media research in health technology assessment: stakeholder perspectives and scoping review
Authors: Holtorf Anke-Peggy , Danyliv Andriy , Huang Li-Ying , Venable Yvette , Hanna Alissa , Krause Annekatrin , Pierre Miranda , Walsh Donna , Silveira Silva Aline , Lee Sou-Hyun , Mattingly T. Joseph
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The aim of this initiative was to examine collaboratively, in a multi-stakeholder team (health technology assessment (HTA) practitioners with patient involvement expertise, health technology industry, patient advocates, health policy experts, patient engagement experts), whether evidence generated through social media research (SMR) fills current information gaps relating to insights on specific aspects of patient experiences, preferences, or patient needs and delivers additional value to HTA.

Methods

The framing of the project was done in a co-creative, deliberative multi-stakeholder process. Challenge and refinement happened through discussions with 25 independent stakeholders from HTA bodies, industry, academia, and patient advocacy. For critical themes identified during the framing phase, scoping literature reviews were performed including the state of methods and examples for the use of SMR in HTA.

Results

The framing and stakeholder discussions specified a set of expectations and requirements, and the scoping reviews revealed the current state of methods and usage of SMR in health-policy decision making.

Conclusions

The project concluded that SMR can contribute new, relevant evidence to HTA. It is however recommended to evolve the science through defining best practices when planning, conducting, and using SMR and to conduct multi-stakeholder pilot SMR projects to address questions relevant to current HTAs and to validate and improve the proposed practices.
Tachyarrhythmia after the total cavopulmonary connection: incidence, prognosis, and risk factors
Authors: Bohn Cornelius , Schaeffer Thibault , Cuman Magdalena , Staehler Helena , Di Padua Chiara , Heinisch Paul Philipp , Piber Nicole , Hager Alfred , Ewert Peter , Hörer Jürgen , Ono Masamichi
Published: September 2023

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and outcomes regarding tachyarrhythmia in patients after total cavopulmonary connection.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 620 patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection between 1994 and 2021 at our institution was performed. Incidence of tachyarrhythmia was depicted, and results after onset of tachyarrhythmia were evaluated. Factors associated with the onset of tachyarrhythmia were identified.

Results:

A total of 52 (8%) patients presented with tachyarrhythmia that required medical therapy. Onset during hospital stay was observed in 27 patients, and onset after hospital discharge was observed in 32 patients. Freedom from late tachyarrhythmia following total cavopulmonary connection at 5, 10, and 15 years was 97, 95, and 91%, respectively. The most prevalent late tachyarrhythmia was atrial flutter (50%), followed by supraventricular tachycardia (25%) and ventricular tachycardia (25%). Direct current cardioversion was required in 12 patients, and 7 patients underwent electrophysiological study. Freedom from Fontan circulatory failure after onset of tachyarrhythmia at 10 and 15 years was 78% and 49%, respectively. Freedom from occurrence of decreased ventricular systolic function after the onset of tachyarrhythmia at 5 years was 85%. Independent factors associated with late tachyarrhythmia were dominant right ventricle (hazard ratio, 2.52, p = 0.02) and weight at total cavopulmonary connection (hazard ratio, 1.03 per kilogram; p = 0.04). Type of total cavopulmonary connection at total cavopulmonary connection was not identified as risk.

Conclusions:

In our large cohort of 620 patients following total cavopulmonary connection, the incidence of late tachyarrhythmia was low. Patients with dominant right ventricle and late total cavopulmonary connection were at increased risk for late tachyarrhythmia following total cavopulmonary connection.
Paleostorm Chasers Test a New Detection Tool
Authors: Martin-Jones Erin
Published: September 2023

A method typically used to date sediments shows promise for documenting tropical storms through history—information needed for future projections of storm activity.
Interplay between negative symptoms, time spent doing nothing, and negative emotions in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: results from a 37-site study
Authors: D’Anna Giulio , Zarbo Cristina , Cardamone Giuseppe , Zamparini Manuel , Calza Stefano , Rota Matteo , Correll Christoph U. , Rocchetti Matteo , Starace Fabrizio , de Girolamo Giovanni ,   DIAPASON collaborators, Barlati Stefano , Baroncelli Andrea , Besana Filippo , Boero Maria Elena , Clerici Massimo , Di Michele Vittorio , Durbano Federico , Foia Maria Gabriella , Impicci Stefania , Jacoponi Filippo Maria , Leuci Emanuela , Malagamba Daniela , Marina Marina , Martinelli Alessandra , Monzani Emiliano , Nappi Gaetano , Piccicacchi Benedetto , Placenti Roberto , Rippa Arturo , Tura Giambattista , Zizolfi Salvatore
Published: September 2023

This study evaluated the relationship between negative symptoms, daily time use (productive/non-productive activities, PA/NPA), and negative emotions in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSDs): 618 individuals with SSDs (311 residential care patients [RCPs], 307 outpatients) were surveyed about socio-demographic, clinical (BPRS, BNSS) and daily time use (paper-and-pencil Time Use Survey completed twice/week) characteristics. Among them 57 RCPs and 46 outpatients, matched to 112 healthy controls, also underwent ecological monitoring of emotions (8 times/day for a week) through Experience Sampling Method (ESM). RCPs spent significantly less time in PA than outpatients. Patients with more negative symptomatology spent more time in NPA and less in PA compared to patients with milder symptoms. Higher time spent in NPA was associated with negative emotions (p < 0.001 during workdays) even when correcting for BNSS total and antipsychotic polypharmacy (p = 0.002 for workdays, p = 0.006 for Sundays). Future studies are needed to explore in more detail the relationship between negative emotions, negative symptoms, time use, and functioning in individuals with SSDs, providing opportunities for more informed and personalised clinical treatment planning and research into interactions between different motivational, saliency and behavioural aspects in individuals with SSDs.
A dirty job: dishwasher wastewater reuse and upcycle through an ad hoc engineered microbial consortium
Authors: Alabiso Annamaria , Frasca Sara , Cantelmo Valerio , D’Andrea Marco Maria , Braglia Roberto , Scuderi Francesco , Costa Fiammetta , Savio Saverio , Congestri Roberta , Migliore Luciana
Published: September 2023

In the framework of regenerative circular economy and Sustainable Development Goals #6, water demand and wastewater production are a crucial environmental issue. To cope with this, a system called Zero Mile has been conceived to reuse/upcycle the dishwasher wastewater in both fertilisation of a vertical garden (for home plant production at zero mile) and the subsequent dishwasher rinsing cycle. The core of the Zero Mile system is a biofilter constituted by an ad hoc engineered microbial consortium, based on the mutualistic relationship between autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial partners, that makes the biodegradative process sustainable over time. Two semi-batch tests were performed to evaluate the capability and the efficiency of the microbial consortium to operate in conditions mimicking the Zero Mile system: consortia were challenged in two dishwasher wastewater volumes (50 and 500 mL), with a replenishing rate of 4 days for ¼ of the dishwasher wastewater volume. The results of these tests showed that the consortium thrives well in dishwasher wastewater over time and can survive with the volume and rates of replenishments. Next Generation Sequencing showed that the microbial consortium maintains a stable taxonomic composition, and chemical analyses demonstrated a very high bioremediation efficiency (total nitrogen and phosphorus removal). Aiming to contribute to the circular economy approach, the consortium ‘treated’ dishwasher wastewater was useful for plant fertilisation, as demonstrated by pigment content and quality indices (total phenols and flavonoids, soluble solids) measured in the lettuce plants grown in the Zero Mile demonstrator and watered with consortium reclaimed dishwasher wastewater.
Memory-induced Magnus effect
Authors: Cao Xin , Das Debankur , Windbacher Niklas , Ginot Félix , Krüger Matthias , Bechinger Clemens
Published: September 2023

Spinning objects moving through air or a liquid experience a lift force—a phenomenon known as the Magnus effect. This effect is commonly exploited in ball sports but also is of considerable importance for applications in the aviation industry. Whereas Magnus forces are strong for large objects, they are weak at small scales and eventually vanish for overdamped micrometre-sized particles in simple liquids. Here we demonstrate a roughly one-million-fold enhanced Magnus force of spinning colloids in viscoelastic fluids. Such fluids are characterized by a time-delayed response to external perturbations, which causes a deformation of the fluidic network around the moving particle. When the particle also spins, the deformation field becomes misaligned relative to the particle’s moving direction, leading to a force perpendicular to the direction of travel and the spinning axis. Our uncovering of strongly enhanced memory-induced Magnus forces at microscales opens up applications for particle sorting and steering, and the creation and visualization of anomalous flows.
Impact of silver substitution on the structural, magnetic, optical, and antibacterial properties of cobalt ferrite
Authors: Tahir Waqia , Zeeshan Talat , Waseem Salma , Ali Muhammad Danish , Kayani Zohra , Aftab Zill-e-Huma , Mehtab Syed Muhammad Talha , Ezzine Safa
Published: September 2023

Silver-doped Cobalt Ferrite nanoparticles AgxCo1−xFe2O4 with concentrations (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) have been prepared using a hydrothermal technique. The XRD pattern confirms the formation of the spinel phase of CoFe2O4 and the presence of Ag ions in the spinel structure. The spinel phase AgxCo1−xFe2O4 nanoparticles are confirmed by FTIR analysis by the major bands formed at 874 and 651 cm−1, which represent the tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The analysis of optical properties reveals an increase in band gap energy with increasing concentration of the dopant. The energy band gap values depicted for prepared nanoparticles with concentrations x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 are 3.58 eV, 3.08 eV, 2.93 eV, and 2.84 eV respectively. Replacement of the Co2+ ion with the nonmagnetic Ag2+ ion causes a change in saturation magnetization, with Ms values of 48.36, 29.06, 40.69, and 45.85 emu/g being recorded. The CoFe2O4 and Ag2+ CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were found to be effective against the Acinetobacter Lwoffii and Moraxella species, with a high inhibition zone value of x = 0.15 and 8 × 8 cm against bacteria. It is suggested that, by the above results, the synthesized material is suitable for memory storage devices and antibacterial activity.
A conjugate self-organizing migration (CSOM) and reconciliate multi-agent Markov learning (RMML) based cyborg intelligence mechanism for smart city security
Authors: Shitharth S. , Alshareef Abdulrhman M. , Khadidos Adil O. , Alyoubi Khaled H. , Khadidos Alaa O. , Uddin Mueen
Published: September 2023

Ensuring the privacy and trustworthiness of smart city—Internet of Things (IoT) networks have recently remained the central problem. Cyborg intelligence is one of the most popular and advanced technologies suitable for securing smart city networks against cyber threats. Various machine learning and deep learning-based cyborg intelligence mechanisms have been developed to protect smart city networks by ensuring property, security, and privacy. However, it limits the critical problems of high time complexity, computational cost, difficulty to understand, and reduced level of security. Therefore, the proposed work intends to implement a group of novel methodologies for developing an effective Cyborg intelligence security model to secure smart city systems. Here, the Quantized Identical Data Imputation (QIDI) mechanism is implemented at first for data preprocessing and normalization. Then, the Conjugate Self-Organizing Migration (CSOM) optimization algorithm is deployed to select the most relevant features to train the classifier, which also supports increased detection accuracy. Moreover, the Reconciliate Multi-Agent Markov Learning (RMML) based classification algorithm is used to predict the intrusion with its appropriate classes. The original contribution of this work is to develop a novel Cyborg intelligence framework for protecting smart city networks from modern cyber-threats. In this system, a combination of unique and intelligent mechanisms are implemented to ensure the security of smart city networks. It includes QIDI for data filtering, CSOM for feature optimization and dimensionality reduction, and RMML for categorizing the type of intrusion. By using these methodologies, the overall attack detection performance and efficiency have been greatly increased in the proposed cyborg model. Here, the main reason of using CSOM methodology is to increase the learning speed and prediction performance of the classifier while detecting intrusions from the smart city networks. Moreover, the CSOM provides the optimized set of features for improving the training and testing operations of classifier with high accuracy and efficiency. Among other methodologies, the CSOM has the unique characteristics of increased searching efficiency, high convergence, and fast processing speed. During the evaluation, the different types of cyber-threat datasets are considered for testing and validation, and the results are compared with the recent state-of-the-art model approaches.
Correcting for the heterogeneous boron distribution in a tumor for BNCT dose calculation
Authors: Teng Yi-Chiao , Chen Jiang , Zhong Wan-Bing , Liu Yuan-Hao
Published: September 2023

Most treatment planning systems of boron neutron capture therapy perform dose calculations based on the assumption of a homogeneous boron distribution in tumors, which leads to dose distortion due to the difference between the tumor-to-normal tissue ratio (TNR) range measured in positron emission tomography images (PET) and the target delineation in computed tomography images of the treatment plan. The heterogeneous boron distribution in the target of the treatment plan can be obtained by image fusion. This study provides a way to quantify a heterogeneous boron distribution based on PET images. Theoretically, the same mean TNR for dose calculation by homogeneous or heterogeneous boron distribution should get almost the same mean dose. However, slightly different mean doses are found due to the partial volume effect for a small target volume. The wider the boron distribution is, the higher the impact on the dose-volume histogram distribution is. Dose distribution with homogeneous boron distribution may be overestimated in low boron uptake regions by wrong boron concentration and neutron flux depression. To accurately give the tumor prescription dose and achieve better tumor control, for low dose regions of the tumor should be considered more boron neutron capture therapy treatments or combined with other treatment modalities. The heterogeneous boron distribution must be taken into consideration to have an accurate dose estimation. Therefore, the way how medical physicists and clinicians process the TNR in gross tumor volume should be refined, and the method demonstrated in the work provides a good reference.
Virucidal activity of three standard chemical disinfectants against Ebola virus suspended in tripartite soil and whole blood
Authors: Jonsdottir Hulda R. , Zysset Daniel , Lenz Nicole , Siegrist Denise , Ruedin Yelena , Ryter Sarah , Züst Roland , Geissmann Yannick , Ackermann-Gäumann Rahel , Engler Olivier B. , Weber Benjamin
Published: September 2023

Proper disinfection and inactivation of highly pathogenic viruses is an essential component of public health and prevention. Depending on environment, surfaces, and type of contaminant, various methods of disinfection must be both efficient and available. To test both established and novel chemical disinfectants against risk group 4 viruses in our maximum containment facility, we developed a standardized protocol and assessed the chemical inactivation of the two Ebola virus variants Mayinga and Makona suspended in two different biological soil loads. Standard chemical disinfectants ethanol and sodium hypochlorite completely inactivate both Ebola variants after 30 s in suspension at 70% and 0.5% v/v, respectively, concentrations recommended for disinfection by the World Health Organization. Additionally, peracetic acid is also inactivating at 0.2% v/v under the same conditions. Continued vigilance and optimization of current disinfection protocols is extremely important due to the continuous presence of Ebola virus on the African continent and increased zoonotic spillover of novel viral pathogens. Furthermore, to facilitate general pandemic preparedness, the establishment and sharing of standardized protocols is very important as it allows for rapid testing and evaluation of novel pathogens and chemical disinfectants.
HU-based material conversion for BNCT accurate dose estimation
Authors: Teng Yi-Chiao , Chen Jiang , Zhong Wan-Bing , Liu Yuan-Hao
Published: September 2023

NeuMANTA is a new generation boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)-specific treatment planning system developed by the Neuboron Medical Group and upgraded to an important feature, a Hounsfield unit (HU)-based material conversion algorithm. The range of HU values was refined to 96 specific groups and established corresponding to tissue information. The elemental compositions and mass densities have an important effect on the calculated dose distribution. The region of interest defined in the treatment plan can be converted into multiple material compositions based on HU values or assigned specified single material composition in NeuMANTA. Different material compositions may cause normal tissue maximum dose rates to differ by more than 10% in biologically equivalent doses and to differ by up to 6% in physically absorbed doses. Although the tumor has a lower proportion of BNCT background dose, the material composition difference may affect the minimum dose of biologically equivalent dose and physically absorbed dose by more than 3%. In addition, the difference in material composition could lead to a change in neutron moderation as well as scattering. Therefore, the material composition has a significant impact on the assessment of normal tissue side effects and tumor control probability. It is essential for accurate dose estimation in BNCT.
In-silico identification and prioritization of therapeutic targets of asthma
Authors: Mallick Ishita , Panchal Pradnya , Kadam Smita , Mohite Priyanka , Scheele Jürgen , Seiz Werner , Agarwal Amit , Sharma Om Prakash
Published: September 2023

Asthma is a “common chronic disorder that affects the lungs causing variable and recurring symptoms like repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and underlying inflammation. The interaction of these features of asthma determines the clinical manifestations and severity of asthma and the response to treatment" [cited from: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel 3 Report. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma 2007 (EPR-3). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7232/ (accessed on January 3, 2023)]. As per the WHO, 262 million people were affected by asthma in 2019 that leads to 455,000 deaths (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma). In this current study, our aim was to evaluate thousands of scientific documents and asthma associated omics datasets to identify the most crucial therapeutic target for experimental validation. We leveraged the proprietary tool Ontosight® Discover to annotate asthma associated genes and proteins. Additionally, we also collected and evaluated asthma related patient datasets through bioinformatics and machine learning based approaches to identify most suitable targets. Identified targets were further evaluated based on the various biological parameters to scrutinize their candidature for the ideal therapeutic target. We identified 7237 molecular targets from published scientific documents, 2932 targets from genomic structured databases and 7690 dysregulated genes from the transcriptomics and 560 targets from genomics mutational analysis. In total, 18,419 targets from all the desperate sources were analyzed and evaluated though our approach to identify most promising targets in asthma. Our study revealed IL-13 as one of the most important targets for asthma with approved drugs on the market currently. TNF, VEGFA and IL-18 were the other top targets identified to be explored for therapeutic benefit in asthma but need further clinical testing. HMOX1, ITGAM, DDX58, SFTPD and ADAM17 were the top novel targets identified for asthma which needs to be validated experimentally.
Minimally invasive procedure for optic disc pit maculopathy: vitrectomy with scleral plug and analysis on pattern of resolution
Authors: Khatri Anadi , Shrestha Saurav Man , Prasai Gunjan , Pandit Kamal , Bajgai Priya , Agrawal Rupesh , Gupta Vishali
Published: September 2023

Optic disc pit maculopathy (ODP-M) is a rare complication of optic disc pit which can cause irreversible visual impairment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes and pattern of resolution of ODP-M following vitrectomy with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) induction and scleral tissue plug for treatment of ODP-M without ILM peeling, laser or use of long term gas/tamponade or head positioning. This retrospective study included 7 patients with ODP-M, meeting the inclusion criteria. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Complete anatomical success was defined as “Total resolution of all the fluid in retinal compartments”. All of the patients had complete resolution of the optic pit maculopathy following surgery. The mean duration for complete resolution was 18.3 weeks. Pattern of resolution of ODP-M was found to be resolution of the subretinal fluid (SRF) followed by disappearance of the retinoschitic lesions (RL) and finally disappearance of macular edema (ME). The proposed minimally invasive procedure (MIP) can produce comparably good and equally reliable results for the treatment of ODP-M.