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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent type of cardiac arrhythmia that affects over six million individuals in Europe. The incidence and prevalence of AF rises with age, and often occurs after cardiac surgery. Other risk factors correlated with AF comprise high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, left atrial enlargement, ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure. Considering the high prevalence of AF in aging societies, strategies to prevent serious complications, such as stroke or heart failure, are important because they are correlated with high morbidity and mortality. The supplementation of sea-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is widely discussed in this context, but the results of experimental and observational studies are in contrast to randomized placebo-controlled intervention trials (RCTs). Specifically, larger placebo-controlled n-3 PUFA supplementation studies with long follow-up showed a dose-dependent rise in incident AF. Daily n-3 PUFA doses of ≥1 g/d are correlated with a 50 % increase in AF risk, whereas a daily intake of <1 g/d causes AF in only 12 %. Individuals with a high cardiovascular risk (CVD) risk and high plasma-triglycerides seem particularly prone to develop AF upon n-3 PUFA supplementation. Therefore, we should exercise caution with n-3 PUFA supplementation especially in patients with higher age, CVD, hypertriglyceridemia or diabetes. In summary, existing data argue against the additive intake of n-3 PUFA for preventative purposes because of an incremental AF risk and lacking CVD benefits. However, more clinical studies are required to disentangle the discrepancy between n-3 PUFA RCTs and observational studies showing a lower CVD risk in individuals who regularly consume n-3 PUFA-rich fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are both common age-related disorders that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Bone and muscle are metabolically very active tissues that require large amounts of energy. Bile acids (BAs), a group of liver-derived steroid compounds, are primarily known as emulsifiers that facilitate the resorption of dietary fat and lipids. In addition, they have pleiotropic metabolic functions in lipoprotein and glucose metabolism, inflammation, and intestinal bacterial growth. Through these effects, they are related to metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. BAs mediate their metabolic effects through receptor dependent and receptor-independent mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that BAs are also involved in bone and muscle metabolism. Under normal circumstances, BAs support bone health by shifting the delicate equilibrium of bone turnover toward bone formation. In contrast, low or excessive amounts of BAs promote bone resorption. In cholestatic liver disease, BAs accumulate in the liver, reach toxic concentrations in the circulation, and thus may contribute to bone loss and muscle wasting. In addition, the measurement of BAs is in rapid evolution with modern mass spectrometry techniques that allow for the detection of a continuously growing number of BAs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biochemistry, physiology and measurement of bile acids. Furthermore, it summarizes the existing literature regarding their role in bone and muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work addresses the challenges in brazing thermohydraulic sealings involving dissimilar materials, specifically 316Ti stainless steel and alumina, which have significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) and elastic constants. Traditional brazing methods require complex interlayers or extensive metallization steps, leading to issues such as dimensional changes, braze voids, and inadequate corrosion resistance due to prolonged high‐temperature exposure. A novel laser‐based brazing technique utilizing a diode laser is introduced to create high‐quality, localized joints while preserving the integrity of the parent materials. The study systematically optimizes laser process parameters using finite‐element modeling and the Taguchi method to achieve the desired bead geometry and thermal stress distribution with minimal heat input. Comparative analysis between laser active brazing (LAB) and conventional furnace brazing was conducted through metallography, shear testing, and autoclave testing. Results indicate that LAB parameters significantly affect bead thickness and shear strength, with laser‐brazed joints demonstrating superior quality and stability post‐autoclave testing compared with furnace‐brazed joints. The thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of the brazing process were also analyzed. In conclusion, the LAB method for brazing 316Ti to alumina proves to be a successful and efficient alternative, with joint properties meeting or exceeding those of traditional furnace brazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) can present with both episodic amnestic syndrome and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Objective: To examine the associations between amnestic syndrome and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers in iNPH and the CSF tap test response in iNPH patients with amnestic syndrome. Methods: We used the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test to divide iNPH into amnestic and non-amnestic patients. We compared their clinical, biological, and radiological characteristics and examined the reversibility of gait spatiotemporal parameters and neuropsychological performances after a CSF tap test. Univariate and multiple linear regression models examined the association between memory performance and clinical-biological characteristics. Results: Sixty-two non-amnestic patients (mean age 77.0±7.0 years, 38.7% female) and thirty-eight amnestic patients (mean age 77.0±5.9 years, 36.8% female) presented similar levels of AD biomarkers and clinical-radiological profiles. Global cognition and education levels were lower in the amnestic iNPH group. We found no association between AD biomarkers and memory performances (total tau: β= –4.50; 95% CI [–11.96;2.96]; p = 0.236; amyloid-β (1–42): β= 8.60, 95% CI [–6.30;23.50]; p = 0.240). At baseline, amnestic iNPH patients performed worse on executive functions, attention, and gait speed but improved similarly to the non-amnestic iNPH patients after the tap test. Conclusions: In our clinical sample of iNPH patients, we confirm the lack of specificity of the amnestic profile for predicting AD pathology. Clinicians should not preclude amnestic iNPH patients from undergoing an invasive procedure of CSF derivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: Not all patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) have evidence of demyelination on nerve conduction studies (NCS). Patients with "supportive" evidence of CIDP on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), or nerve biopsy but not on NCS, often receive immunomodulating therapy. We evaluated the treatment response of patients with clinical and supportive features of CIDP lacking NCS evidence of demyelination. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on 232 patients who met CIDP clinical criteria and were treated with disease‐modifying therapy. Patients included did not have NCS criteria of demyelination, but did have supportive CSF, MRI, or US findings consistent with CIDP. A positive treatment response was defined as at least a one‐point improvement in the modified Rankin scale (mRS), or a four‐point increase in the Medical Research Council sum score (MRCSS). Results: Twenty patients met criteria: 17 of the 18 (94%) patients with CSF protein >45 mg/dL, 6 of the 14 (43%) with MRI lumbosacral root or plexus enhancement, and 4 of the 6 (67%) with enlarged proximal nerves on US. Eighteen patients received intravenous immunoglobulin, 10 corticosteroids, one plasma exchange, and six other immunomodulatory therapies. Twelve patients had a positive treatment response on the MRCSS or mRS. The presence of MRI lumbosacral root or plexus enhancement was associated with a positive treatment response. Discussion: A trial of immunomodulating treatment should be considered for patients with clinical features of CIDP in the absence of NCS evidence of demyelination, particularly when there is MRI lumbosacral root or plexus enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) can present with both episodic amnestic syndrome and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Objective: To examine the associations between amnestic syndrome and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers in iNPH and the CSF tap test response in iNPH patients with amnestic syndrome. Methods: We used the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test to divide iNPH into amnestic and non-amnestic patients. We compared their clinical, biological, and radiological characteristics and examined the reversibility of gait spatiotemporal parameters and neuropsychological performances after a CSF tap test. Univariate and multiple linear regression models examined the association between memory performance and clinical-biological characteristics. Results: Sixty-two non-amnestic patients (mean age 77.0±7.0 years, 38.7% female) and thirty-eight amnestic patients (mean age 77.0±5.9 years, 36.8% female) presented similar levels of AD biomarkers and clinical-radiological profiles. Global cognition and education levels were lower in the amnestic iNPH group. We found no association between AD biomarkers and memory performances (total tau: β= –4.50; 95% CI [–11.96;2.96]; p = 0.236; amyloid-β (1–42): β= 8.60, 95% CI [–6.30;23.50]; p = 0.240). At baseline, amnestic iNPH patients performed worse on executive functions, attention, and gait speed but improved similarly to the non-amnestic iNPH patients after the tap test. Conclusions: In our clinical sample of iNPH patients, we confirm the lack of specificity of the amnestic profile for predicting AD pathology. Clinicians should not preclude amnestic iNPH patients from undergoing an invasive procedure of CSF derivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA and protein‐based therapeutics constitute almost half of recent drug approvals and receive considerable attention within biotechnology industries. Ensuring their stability and longevity in the context of heat, freezing, and lyophilization processes are paramount to a successful deployment. However, the advancement of formulations designed to achieve this goal is still in its nascent phase. To address these challenges, a new class of semi‐dendritic hydrophilic polymer with extended linear units is reported, which showcase very high hydration. These novel polymers demonstrated exceptional efficacy in preserving messenger RNA‐ (mRNA‐) and self‐amplifying RNA‐ (saRNA‐) lipid nanoparticles during freezing and lyophilization. Additionally, they have been found to protect therapeutic proteins against external stressors such as freezing, heat, and lyophilization. These polymers are non‐toxic, which enables their utilization at high concentrations and eliminates the requirement for removal prior to administration. It is found that their unique topology contributes to the high hydration. These excipients are anticipated to create new prospects in biotechnology, food science, and cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement Human interactions with forests have shaped Earth's climate for millennia and will continue to do so as we target net‐zero emission goals. Accurately characterizing these climate impacts requires making reliable forest carbon data available for forest monitoring and planning. Here, we develop a semi‐automated process for submitting forest carbon measurements from the largest relevant scientific database to the International Panel on Climate Change's Emission Factor Database, which currently has sparse forest carbon data. Building this bridge from scientific research to international policy is an important step towards managing forests in a net‐zero motivated future. Humans have been influencing Earth's climate via transformative impacts on forests for millennia, and forests are now recognized as critical to climate change mitigation under the Paris Agreement. The efficacy of climate change mitigation planning and reporting depends on quality data on forest carbon (C) stocks and changes. The Emission Factor Database (EFDB) of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is intended to be a definitive source for such data, but needs comprehensive and well‐documented data to be so. To facilitate submission of forest C estimates from scientific studies to EFDB, we develop and document a process for semi‐automated data submission from the Global Forest C database (ForC v4.0), which is the largest compilation of ground‐based forest C estimates. We then assess the data currently available through ForC and provide recommendations for improving forest data collection, analysis, and reporting. As of September 2024, ForC contained ~19,286 records potentially relevant to EFDB, 1068 of which had been submitted and posted to EFDB. These represented 19% of the total EFDB records for forest land. Records were unevenly distributed across variables and geographic regions. ForC records (37%) reviewed could not be submitted because the original publication lacked required information. In the future, ground‐based forest C estimates should target gaps in the record, and studies should ensure that they report all information necessary for inclusion in EFDB. Given that climate change is rapidly impacting the world's forests, timely reporting of recent estimates will be critical to accurate forest C inventories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel recycled fertilizers could help close environmental nutrient cycles in the circular economy. To better understand their performance and residual value, commercially available biobased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers (BBFs) were tested in a two-year crop cycle of winter wheat and ryegrass. The N fertilizer replacement value of N-BBFs ranged from 47 to 80% in the main crop. Not all BBFs led to a similarly high N concentration as the mineral reference in the wheat straw. However, full and early fertilization with incorporation could make the fertilizing effect of N-BBFs more reliable. The P fertilizer replacement value ranged between 105 and 161% for the crop cycle. We assume that the N contained in biobased phosphorus fertilizers can be seen as unproblematic for losses during winter and can serve as a starter fertilizer already present in the soil for the succeeding crop in spring. In general, biobased P fertilizers had a higher residual value than biobased N fertilizers. However, these residual values were comparable to those of mineral fertilizer references. While P-BBFs proved to be a sustainable and reliable nutrient source for a crop cycle, the N-BBFs used as the main crop fertilizer were found to be more prone to environmental influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Paediatric Burkitt's lymphoma (pBL) is the most common childhood non‐Hodgkin B‐cell lymphoma. Despite the encouraging survival rates for most children, treating cases with relapse/resistance to current therapies remains challenging. CD38 is a transmembrane protein highly expressed in pBL. This study investigates the effectiveness of CD38‐targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), daratumumab and isatuximab, in impairing crucial cellular processes and survival pathways in pBL malignant cells. Methods: In silico analyses of patient samples, combined with in vitro experiments using the Ramos cell line, were conducted to assess the impact of daratumumab and isatuximab on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway. Results: Isatuximab was found to be more effective than daratumumab in disrupting B‐cell receptor signalling, reducing cellular proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Additionally, isatuximab caused a significant impairment of the PI3K pathway and induced metabolic reprogramming in pBL cells. The study also revealed a correlation between CD38 and MYC expression levels in pBL patient samples, suggesting CD38 involvement in key oncogenic processes. Conclusion: The study emphasises the therapeutic potential of CD38‐targeting mAbs, particularly isatuximab, in pBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retroviral assembly is a highly coordinated step in the replication cycle. The process is initiated when the newly synthesized Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins are directed to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM), where they facilitate the budding and release of immature viral particles. Extensive research over the years has provided crucial insights into the molecular determinants of this assembly step. It is established that Gag targeting and binding to the PM is mediated by interactions of the matrix (MA) domain and acidic phospholipids such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). This binding event, along with binding to viral RNA, initiates oligomerization of Gag on the PM, a process mediated by the capsid (CA) domain. Much of the previous studies have focused on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Although the general steps of retroviral replication are consistent across different retroviruses, comparative studies revealed notable differences in the structure and function of viral components. In this review, we present recent findings on the assembly mechanisms of Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 and highlight key differences from HIV-1, focusing particularly on the molecular determinants of Gag–PM interactions and CA assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Basiliximab is a high‐cost induction agent typically given as two doses in liver transplant recipients. This study evaluated renal outcomes in live‐donor liver transplant recipients (LDLTRs) with stable renal function at the time of transplant receiving one versus two doses of basiliximab. Methods: We retrospectively identified 231 adult LDLTR with a serum creatinine (SCr) <1.5 mg/dL on post‐transplant Day 5. The primary endpoint was a change in SCr from post‐transplant Days 5 to 30 between the groups. Secondary endpoints included incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), liver rejection, and culture‐positive infections within 3 and 6 months of transplant. Basiliximab‐related cost savings were also evaluated. Results: Median change in SCr from post‐transplant Days 5 to 30 was no different between the single‐dose or two‐dose groups (0.1 [IQR: −0.1–0.3] vs. 0.2 [IQR: −0.1–0.4], p = 0.08). Incidence of AKI was 56.9% in the two‐dose group versus 39.0% in the single‐dose group (p = 0.01). There was no difference in bacterial (p = 0.40), fungal (p = 0.59), or viral (p = 0.78) infections. Acute cellular rejection through 6 months post‐transplant was noted in 9.7% of patients receiving two doses and 6.3% in the single‐dose arm (p = 0.42). Basiliximab‐related cost savings in the single‐dose arm was ∼$697 863.72 over 159 transplants. Conclusions: Single‐dose basiliximab appears to be safe and effective in place of two doses in LDLTR with stable renal function on post‐transplant Day 5. Utilization of a single basiliximab dose significantly reduced medication‐related costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) caught Health Professions Education (HPE) institutions off-guard, and they are currently adjusting to a changed educational environment. On the horizon, however, is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) which promises to be an even greater leap and challenge. This Guide begins by explaining the context and nature of AGI, including its characteristics of multi-modality, generality, adaptability, autonomy, and learning ability. It then explores the implications of AGI on students (including personalised learning and electronic tutors) and HPE institutions, and considers some of the context provided by AGI in healthcare. It then raises the problems to address, including the impact on employment, social risks, student adaptability, costs, quality, and others. After considering a possible timeline, the Guide then ends by indicating some first steps that HPE institutions and educators can take to prepare for AGI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of centered Gaussian random fields (GRFs) indexed by compacta such as smooth, bounded Euclidean domains or smooth, compact and orientable manifolds is determined by their covariance operators. We consider centered GRFs given as variational solutions to coloring operator equations driven by spatial white noise, with an elliptic self-adjoint pseudodifferential coloring operator from the Hörmander class. This includes the Matérn class of GRFs as a special case. Using biorthogonal multiresolution analyses on the manifold, we prove that the precision and covariance operators, respectively, may be identified with bi-infinite matrices and finite sections may be diagonally preconditioned rendering the condition number independent of the dimension p of this section. We prove that a tapering strategy by thresholding applied on finite sections of the bi-infinite precision and covariance matrices results in optimally numerically sparse approximations. That is, asymptotically only linearly many nonzero matrix entries are sufficient to approximate the original section of the bi-infinite covariance or precision matrix using this tapering strategy to arbitrary precision. The locations of these nonzero matrix entries can be determined a priori. The tapered covariance or precision matrices may also be optimally diagonally preconditioned. Analysis of the relative size of the entries of the tapered covariance matrices motivates novel, multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC) oracles for covariance estimation, in sample complexity that scales log-linearly with respect to the number p of parameters. In addition, we propose and analyze novel compressive algorithms for simulating and kriging of GRFs. The complexity (work and memory vs. accuracy) of these three algorithms scales near-optimally in terms of the number of parameters p of the sample-wise approximation of the GRF in Sobolev scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimpanzees collaborate with conspecifics in their daily life. However, the cognitive processes underlying partner recruitment aren't fully understood. In the current study, chimpanzees needed to recruit a conspecific partner for either a cooperative or competitive experimental task. They spontaneously preferred to recruit cooperation partners who they have seen performing successfully before on a similar task, over partners who had failed. In contrast, the chimpanzees needed to experience the consequences of competing against co-action partners before settling on a preference for the unsuccessful partner. This divergent pattern may be due to increased cognitive demands of competitive compared to cooperative tasks. Despite the observed differences of social information use in our cooperative and competitive experimental tasks, the findings are exciting as they extend our knowledge of chimpanzee's social evaluation abilities by showing that they can draw domain-specific inferences about conspecifics' skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of mixing between layers of different densities is key to how the ocean works and interacts with other components of the Earth's system. Correctly accounting for its effect in numerical simulations is therefore of utmost importance. However, numerical models are still plagued with spurious sources of mixing, originating mostly from the vertical advection schemes in the case of fixed-coordinate models. As the number of phenomena explicitly resolved by models increases, so does the amplitude of resolved vertical motions and the amount of spurious numerical mixing, and regional models are no exception to this. This paper provides a clear illustration of this phenomenon in the context of simulating the south-east Asian (SEA) seas along with a simple way to reduce its impact. This region is known for its particularly strong internal tides and the fundamental role they play in the dynamic of the region. Using the Symphonie ocean model, simulations including and excluding tides and using a pseudo-third-order upwind advection scheme on the vertical are compared to several reference datasets, and the impact on water masses is assessed. The high diffusivity of this advection scheme is demonstrated along with the importance of accounting for tidal mixing for a correct representation of water masses. Simultaneously, we present an improvement in this advection scheme to make it more suitable for use in the vertical. Simulations with the new formulation are added for comparison. We conclude that the use of a higher-order numerical diffusion operator greatly improves the overall performance of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Germany, the telephone patient service 116,117 for callers with non-life-threatening health issues is available 24/7. Based on structured initial assessment, urgency and placement of suitable medical care offer have been offered since 2020. The service has been in increasing demand for several years: Depending on time and residence, this can result in longer waiting times. Methods: Prospective, two-armed cohort study with two intervention groups and one control group, alternating between blinding and unblinding for employees of 116,117 regarding prioritization status. Two interventions based on automated voice dialogues (1: Simple self-rating tool, 2: Automated brief query of emergency symptoms). In case of high level of urgency, callers are prioritized. Validation of urgency and need for care is carried out routinely based on structured initial assessment. Discussion: By creating and providing a largely reproducible documentation of the implemented solutions for a waiting queue management, the developed approach would be available for comparable projects in the German health care system or in the European context. This potentially leads to a reduction in the use of resources in the development of comparable technical solutions based on automated voice dialogs. Trial registration: DRKS00031235, registered on 10th November 2023, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00031235. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The European health data space promises an efficient environment for research and policy-making. However, this data space is dependent on high data quality. The implementation of electronic medical record systems has a positive impact on data quality, but improvements are not consistent across empirical studies. This study aims to analyze differences in the changes of data quality and to discuss these against distinct stages of the electronic medical record's adoption process. Methods: Paper-based and electronic medical records from three surgical departments were compared, assessing changes in data quality after the implementation of an electronic medical record system. Data quality was operationalized as completeness of documentation. Ten information that must be documented in both record types (e.g. vital signs) were coded as 1 if they were documented, otherwise as 0. Chi-Square-Tests were used to compare percentage completeness of these ten information and t-tests to compare mean completeness per record type. Results: A total of N = 659 records were analyzed. Overall, the average completeness improved in the electronic medical record, with a change from 6.02 (SD = 1.88) to 7.2 (SD = 1.77). At the information level, eight information improved, one deteriorated and one remained unchanged. At the level of departments, changes in data quality show expected differences. Conclusion: The study provides evidence that improvements in data quality could depend on the process how the electronic medical record is adopted in the affected department. Research is needed to further improve data quality through implementing new electronical medical record systems or updating existing ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Physiological characterization of microorganisms in the context of solvent tolerance is a tedious process with a high investment of manual labor while often being limited in throughput capability simultaneously. Therefore, we developed a small‐scale solvent‐impervious cultivation system consisting of screw cap‐sealed glass vials in combination with a 3D‐printed vial holder for the Growth Profiler (EnzyScreen) platform. Components and cultivation conditions were empirically tested, and a suitable setup was found for the intended application. To demonstrate the capability of this cultivation system, an adaptive laboratory evolution was performed to further increase the tolerance of Pseudomonas taiwanensis GRC3 toward styrene. This approach yielded heterogenic cultures with improved growth performances in the presence of styrene from which individual clones were isolated and characterized in high throughput. Several clones with improved growth in the presence of 1% (v/v) styrene were analyzed through whole‐genome sequencing, revealing mutations in the co‐chaperone‐encoding gene dnaJ, RNA polymerase α subunit‐encoding gene rpoA, and loss‐of‐function mutations in the ttgGHI solvent efflux pump repressor encoded by ttgV. The developed cultivation system has proven to be a very useful extension of the Growth Profiler, as it reduces manual workload and allows high‐throughput characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients with age-related hearing loss complain often about reduced speech perception in adverse listening environment. Studies on animals have suggested that cochlear synaptopathy may be one of the primary mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon. A decreased wave I amplitude in supra-threshold auditory brainstem response (ABR) can diagnose this pathology non-invasively. However, the interpretation of the wave I amplitude in humans remains controversial. Recent studies in mice have established a robust and reliable mathematic algorithm, i.e., curve curvature quantification, for detecting cochlear synaptopathy. This study aimed to determine whether the curve curvature has sufficient test–retest reliability to detect cochlear synaptopathy in aging humans. Methods: Healthy participants were recruited into this prospective study. All subjects underwent an audiogram examination with standard and extended high frequencies ranging from 0.125 to 16 kHz and an ABR with a stimulus of 80 dB nHL click. The peak amplitude, peak latency, curvature at the peak, and the area under the curve of wave I were calculated and analyzed. Results: A total of 80 individuals with normal hearing, aged 18 to 61 years, participated in this study, with a mean age of 26.4 years. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between curvature and age, as well as between curvature and extended high frequency (EHF) threshold (10–16 kHz). Additionally, the same correlation was observed between age and area as well as age and EHF threshold. The model comparison demonstrated that the curvature at the peak of wave I is the best metric to correlate with EHF threshold. Conclusion: The curvature at the peak of wave I is the most sensitive metric for detecting cochlear synaptopathy in humans and may be applied in routine diagnostics to detect early degenerations of the auditory nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the combination of democratization and violence shape the public sphere? This should entail an enlargement of the public sphere and an increase in public deliberation. Since framing is a powerful tool in determining the scope and contents of public debate, what role does framing play in democratizing public spheres? Taking the state of Veracruz (Mexico) as a case study, we explore to what extent do print media allow for an enlargement of the public sphere in terms of both admissible participants and issues. We argue that framing practices contribute to a paradoxical situation in which deliberation takes place, but whose democratic character is severely compromised by the systematic exclusion of certain actors and the subordinate framing of certain issues in the media. The result is a hybrid public sphere in which ostensibly democratic media help normalize violence, authoritarian practices and traditional domination patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies comparing transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR and SAVR) for patients with trileaflet aortic stenosis (AS) have found similar or larger effective orifice area (EOA) for TAVR prostheses. To our knowledge, no studies have compared EOA in patients undergoing TAVR versus SAVR for bicuspid AS. We retrospectively compared prosthetic valvular sizing and predicted EOA for patients with bicuspid AS undergoing TAVR or SAVR at our institution between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. We excluded patients undergoing procedures for indications other than AS and those without a pre-procedural gated Chest CT. Comparisons included demographics, comorbidities, annular size, prosthetic valve size, predicted EOA and prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) for TAVR (N = 78) and SAVR (N = 74) cohorts. TAVR patients had smaller pre-procedural annular area (501.7 mm2 vs. 571.8 mm2, p < 0.05) and annular perimeter (80.6 mm vs. 86.5 mm, p < 0.05), but larger mean implanted prosthetic valve size (26.4 mm vs 24.2 mm, p < 0.001) compared to SAVR patients. No differences were observed in predicted EOA, predicted EOA indexed to patient body surface area (EOAi), or predicted PPM grade between TAVR and SAVR groups, including in cohorts sorted by pre-procedural annular size. For bicuspid AS patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, TAVR achieves similar predicted EOA to SAVR. These data support the use of TAVR in selected patients with bicuspid AS and can inform heart team discussions. • TAVR achieves similar predicted EOA to SAVR for patients with bicuspid AS. • Across annular sizes in bicuspid AS, TAVR and SAVR attain similar prosthesis size. • Rates of predicted PPM are not different for TAVR versus SAVR in bicuspid AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential-oriented counseling of students in foreign language learning is becoming increasingly important. In this article, we present the 5-phase hero's journey of language learning counseling as a practical, adaptive guide to structuring the counseling process to prepare (prospective) teachers for their counseling task. In this context, teachers see themselves as mentors who support their coachees as heroes on their learning journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender differences in mental health emerge as early as in childhood and adolescence, highlighting the potential need for gender-specific child and adolescent mental health care. However, it is unclear how gender-specific child and adolescent mental health care is implemented and whether its' approaches are useful. Therefore, this study reviews gender-specific interventions and their effectiveness for child and adolescent mental health. Five databases were searched for articles published between 2000 and 2021. In total, 43 studies were included. Most interventions were conducted in school (n = 15) or community settings (n = 8). Substance-related disorders (n = 13) and eating disorders (n = 12) were addressed most frequently. Most interventions targeted girls (n = 31). Various gender-specific aspects were considered, including gender-specific risk and protective factors (n = 35) and needs (n = 35). Although most interventions yielded significant improvements in mental health outcomes (n = 32), only few studies reported medium or large effect sizes (n = 13). Additionally, there was a lack of strong causal evidence derived from randomized controlled trials, calling for more rigorous trials in the research field. Nevertheless, our findings indicate that gender-specific mental health care can be a promising approach to meet gender-specific mental health needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic‐on‐ceramic joints are notorious for their inherent brittleness, posing challenges for high‐performance applications. To address this, a novel approach is proposed to enhance the involvement of filler metals during fracture. This study investigates the controlled initiation and propagation of cracks in Al2O3–Al2O3 joints through a strategic combination of laser pre‐cracking, laser patterning, and laser active brazing techniques. By introducing pre‐cracking and African daisy‐like patterning, crack propagation dynamics are altered, with cracks initially confined within pre‐crack regions before navigating through pattern intrusions. Additionally, laser active brazing effectively managed titanium diffusion, optimizing interface strength control. Evaluation via SEVNB tests demonstrated a significant enhancement in fracture toughness, achieving maximal 25.6 ± 4.6 MPa·m0.5 compared to ≈3–5 MPa·m0.5 for alumina ribbons. This integrated approach offers precise control over fracture paths, thereby augmenting the performance of ceramic‐on‐ceramic joints, and holds promise for advancing their applications in demanding environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex algorithms and enormous data sets require parallel execution of programs to attain results in a reasonable amount of time. Both aspects are combined in the domain of three-dimensional stencil operations, for example, computational fluid dynamics. This work contributes to the research on high-level parallel programming by discussing the generalizable implementation of a three-dimensional stencil skeleton that works in heterogeneous computing environments. Two exemplary programs, a gas simulation with the Lattice Boltzmann method, and a mean blur, are executed in a multi-node multi-graphics processing units environment, proving the runtime improvements in heterogeneous computing environments compared to a sequential program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of deep learning research, including within the field of computational mechanics, has resulted in an extensive and diverse body of literature. To help researchers identify key concepts and promising methodologies within this field, we provide an overview of deep learning in deterministic computational mechanics. Five main categories are identified and explored: simulation substitution, simulation enhancement, discretizations as neural networks, generative approaches, and deep reinforcement learning. This review focuses on deep learning methods rather than applications for computational mechanics, thereby enabling researchers to explore this field more effectively. As such, the review is not necessarily aimed at researchers with extensive knowledge of deep learning—instead, the primary audience is researchers on the verge of entering this field or those attempting to gain an overview of deep learning in computational mechanics. The discussed concepts are, therefore, explained as simple as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximation rates are analyzed for deep surrogates of maps between infinite-dimensional function spaces, arising, e.g., as data-to-solution maps of linear and nonlinear partial differential equations. Specifically, we study approximation rates for deep neural operator and generalized polynomial chaos (gpc) Operator surrogates for nonlinear, holomorphic maps between infinite-dimensional, separable Hilbert spaces. Operator in- and outputs from function spaces are assumed to be parametrized by stable, affine representation systems. Admissible representation systems comprise orthonormal bases, Riesz bases, or suitable tight frames of the spaces under consideration. Algebraic expression rate bounds are established for both, deep neural and spectral operator surrogates acting in scales of separable Hilbert spaces containing domain and range of the map to be expressed, with finite Sobolev or Besov regularity. We illustrate the abstract concepts by expression rate bounds for the coefficient-to-solution map for a linear elliptic PDE on the torus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sustainable diets contribute to improving human health and reducing food-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Here, we established the effects of a facility-based sustainable diet intervention on the adherence to the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet and GHGE of consumers. Methods In this quasi-experiment, vegan menus and educational material on sustainable diets were provided in the largest cafeteria of a German hospital for 3 months. Regular customers (> 1/week) in this cafeteria (intervention group) and in all other hospital cafeterias (control group) completed a questionnaire about their sociodemographic and dietary characteristics before and after the intervention period. We calculated difference-in-differences (DID), their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values for the adherence to the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI; 0–42 score points) and food-related GHGE. The protocol was registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (reference: DRKS00032620). Findings In this study population (N = 190; age range: 18–79 years; women: 67%; highest level of formal education: 63%), the mean baseline PHDI (25·1 ± 4·8 vs. 24·7 ± 5·8 points) and the mean baseline GHGE (3·3 ± 0·8 vs. 3·3 ± 0·7 kg CO2-eq./d) were similar between the intervention (n = 92) and the control group (n = 98). The PHDI increase was 0·6 points (95% CI: -0·4, + 1·6) higher in the intervention group than in the control group. This trend was stronger among frequent consumers of the vegan menu than among rare and never consumers. No between-group difference was seen for GHGE changes (DID: 0·0; 95% CI: -0·2, + 0·1 kg CO2-eq./d). Interpretation Pending verification in a longer-term project and a larger sample, this quasi-experiment in a big hospital in Germany suggests that offering vegan menus and information material in the cafeteria enhances the adherence to healthy and environmentally friendly diets among regular customers. These findings argue for making sustainable food choices the default option and for improving nutrition literacy. Funding Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), Else-Kröner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS), Robert-Bosch Foundation (RBS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) is commonly associated with intellectual disability, but also with a specific behavioural phenotype and a high predisposition to psychiatric comorbidity. This study examines the psychiatric care situation of people with PWS. Method: A structured online questionnaire was administered to carers of people with PWS living in Germany, asking about demographic, diagnostic and treatment parameters as well as personal experiences. Results: Of 77 people with PWS, 44.2% had at least one psychiatric comorbid diagnosis. The main reasons for seeking psychiatric care were emotional outbursts and aggressive behaviour. 34.9% reported that they were currently seeking psychiatric care without success. However, 32.5% of PWS had been treated with psychotropic medication, mainly antipsychotics. Conclusions: Psychiatric comorbidity appears to be undertreated in PWS, especially in the ambulatory setting. Uncertainty among mental health care providers may also lead to frequent off‐label use of psychotropic medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of mental effort is increasingly relevant in neurocognitive and life span domains. Pupillometry, the measure of the pupil size, is often used to assess effort but has disadvantages. Analysis of eye movements may provide an alternative, but research has been limited to easy and difficult task demands in younger adults. An effort measure must be sensitive to the whole effort profile, including "giving up" effort investment, and capture effort in different age groups. The current study comprised three experiments in which younger (n = 66) and older (n = 44) adults listened to speech masked by background babble at different signal-to-noise ratios associated with easy, difficult, and impossible speech comprehension. We expected individuals to invest little effort for easy and impossible speech (giving up) but to exert effort for difficult speech. Indeed, pupil size was largest for difficult but lower for easy and impossible speech. In contrast, gaze dispersion decreased with increasing speech masking in both age groups. Critically, gaze dispersion during difficult speech returned to levels similar to easy speech after sentence offset, when acoustic stimulation was similar across conditions, whereas gaze dispersion during impossible speech continued to be reduced. These findings show that a reduction in eye movements is not a byproduct of acoustic factors, but instead suggest that neurocognitive processes, different from arousal-related systems regulating the pupil size, drive reduced eye movements during high task demands. The current data thus show that effort in one sensory domain (audition) differentially impacts distinct functional properties in another sensory domain (vision). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is controversial. Inherent biological and analytical limitations compromise the specificity of widely used 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] cut-offs. Simultaneous determination of 25(OH)D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D] permits a functional assessment of vitamin D metabolism. The present study compared the associations of functional vitamin D deficiency and low vitamin D reservoirs with CVD mortality and CVD burden.25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D, the degree of coronary obstruction on angiography, high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and 10-year CVD mortality were obtained from 2,456 participants of the LURIC (Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health) study.Neither low 25(OH)D concentrations nor functional vitamin D deficiency were associated with the number of atherosclerotic coronary arteries or the degree of coronary obstruction. Over a median follow-up of 9.9 years, 454 participants died (23.6 %) due to CVD. CVD mortality was doubled in individuals with 25(OH)D concentrations below the widely used cut-off for deficiency of <50 nmol/L [20 ng/mL] (21.6 vs. 11.5 %). In individuals with and without functional vitamin D deficiency, CVD mortality was 25.0 and 16.7 %, respectively. NT-proBNP and heart failure prevalence were also higher in vitamin D deficient individuals.Vitamin D deficient individuals have markedly higher CVD mortality, but only marginally higher hs-cTnT concentrations. A higher prevalence of heart failure and higher NT-proBNP concentrations suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency and cardiac function. The traditional and metabolic assessment of vitamin D status showed comparable associations for the different parameters of cardiac health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens is critical in interrupting the transmission chain of infectious diseases. Currently, real-time (RT-)PCR represents the gold standard for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. RNase HII-assisted amplification (RHAM) is a promising technology, enabling reliable point-of-care (PoC) testing; however, its diagnostic accuracy has not yet been investigated. The present study compared the Pluslife Mini Dock (RHAM technology), with Abbott ID Now and Cepheid GeneXpert IV. The positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) were determined in 100 SARS-CoV-2 positive and 210 SARS-CoV-2 negative samples. Further, the reliability of the Pluslife Mini Dock was investigated in different SARS-CoV-2 variants (Delta and Omicron subvariants). The PPA was 99.00% for Pluslife, 100.00% for Abbott ID Now, and 99.00% for Cepheid GeneXpert, with an NPA of 100.00%, 98.90%, and 93.72%, respectively. Abbott ID Now demonstrated the highest rate of invalid results. All SARS-CoV-2 analysed variants were detected by the Pluslife device. Altogether, the Pluslife Mini Dock demonstrated a PPA of 99.16% (235/237) for CT < 36 and an NPA of 100.00% (313/313), respectively. In conclusion, the Pluslife Mini Dock demonstrated better analytical performance than Abbott ID Now and Cepheid GeneXpert IV, representing a highly accurate and rapid PoC alternative to RT-PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus are at risk for impaired valvular hemodynamic performance and associated adverse cardiovascular clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and an aortic-valve annulus area of 430 mm2 or less in a 1:1 ratio to undergo TAVR with either a self-expanding supraannular valve or a balloon-expandable valve. The coprimary end points, each assessed through 12 months, were a composite of death, disabling stroke, or rehospitalization for heart failure (tested for noninferiority) and a composite end point measuring bioprosthetic-valve dysfunction (tested for superiority). RESULTS: A total of 716 patients were treated at 83 sites in 13 countries (mean age, 80 years; 87% women; mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality, 3.3%). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the percentage of patients who died, had a disabling stroke, or were rehospitalized for heart failure through 12 months was 9.4% with the self-expanding valve and 10.6% with the balloon-expandable valve (difference, -1.2 percentage points; 90% confidence interval [CI], -4.9 to 2.5; P<0.001 for noninferiority). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the percentage of patients with bioprosthetic-valve dysfunction through 12 months was 9.4% with the self-expanding valve and 41.6% with the balloon-expandable valve (difference, -32.2 percentage points; 95% CI, -38.7 to -25.6; P<0.001 for superiority). The aortic-valve mean gradient at 12 months was 7.7 mm Hg with the self-expanding valve and 15.7 mm Hg with the balloon-expandable valve, and the corresponding values for additional secondary end points through 12 months were as follows: mean effective orifice area, 1.99 cm2 and 1.50 cm2; percentage of patients with hemodynamic structural valve dysfunction, 3.5% and 32.8%; and percentage of women with bioprosthetic-valve dysfunction, 10.2% and 43.3% (all P<0.001). Moderate or severe prosthesis-patient mismatch at 30 days was found in 11.2% of the patients in the self-expanding valve group and 35.3% of those in the balloon-expandable valve group (P<0.001). Major safety end points appeared to be similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with severe aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus who underwent TAVR, a self-expanding supraannular valve was noninferior to a balloon-expandable valve with respect to clinical outcomes and was superior with respect to bioprosthetic-valve dysfunction through 12 months. (Funded by Medtronic; SMART ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04722250.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: As part of the further development of an existing training program on scientific skills for health services research at the University Hospital Tübingen, the aim of the study is to determine the level of knowledge, utilization and needs for continuing education among staff. Methods: In 2022, a semi standardized anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted at the University Hospital Tübingen. The content of the questionnaire survey was the level of knowledge and utilization of various research methods, the need for continuing education on these and other healthcare research-related topics and the preferred training concept. The data analysis was carried out descriptively based on absolute and relative frequencies overall and grouped according to the scientific experience of the participants. Results: Participants' self-assessment indicated that a proportion of them had research skills. However, the level of knowledge and utilization varied greatly with regard to different research methods. The 222 participants most frequently expressed a desire for continuing education in the preparation of meta-analyses (56%), questionnaire validation (43%) and -development (42%). There was also great interest in continuing education in the fields of project coordination (57%), third-party funded projects (46%) and science communication (45%). Conclusion: The survey highlights existing research skills and the need for methodological qualification in the field of healthcare research among the staff of the University Hospital Tübingen. The focus appears to be on evidence generation, methods of empirical social research and general research-related skills. The results will be used to design new training courses with a focus on health services research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political economists and labour sociologists alike have studied how the skill specificity of workers can be explained, as it significantly affects workers' performance. However, the emergence of the gig economy may substantially change skill hiring and specificity in online labour markets because gig workers do not need formal educational credentials to offer their services. Instead, skills are "unbundled" from occupations, and platforms provide alternative ways to signal competencies, for example, via their rating and review systems. To shed light on the applicability of existing theories to explain the skill profiles of gig workers, we examine what predicts the skills hired in the online gig economy. Based on multilevel ordinal logistic regression analyses of 2336 gig worker profiles, we show that—as in traditional labour markets—gig workers with a vocational degree and longer online work experience are hired for more specific skills. However, national labour market institutions and educational systems affect the gig workers' skill specificity in the opposite direction than in traditional labour markets. Our findings thus suggest that online gig platforms allow workers to overcome restrictions imposed by national institutions as they are hired for those skills in the online gig economy that are institutionally less facilitated in their home labour markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most frequent cause of impaired perioperative wound healing, lead to increased postoperative morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay and are therefore a relevant perioperative complication. In addition to numerous measures taken by the surgical departments, there are anesthesiological options that can help to reduce the risk of SSI. In addition to heat, volume and transfusion management these include, for example, the use of antibiotics and the choice of the anesthesia procedure. This article is intended to provide fundamental knowledge on SSI, shows various options for reducing them in the context of anesthesia and evaluates their effectiveness and evidence based on the current state of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YouTube has a plethora of exercise videos conveniently available for the general public. Videos in YouTube's workout #withme playlist (n=75), a curated playlist made available during the COVID-19 pandemic, were analyzed using qualitative methods. Analysis focused on workout safety and efficacy based on fitness industry guidelines for exercise class structure. It was found that the videos in this curated playlist were below a marginal quality, particularly lacking in the cool down portion of a workout, which is needed to lower heart rate after the conditioning segment of the workout. Videos scored highest in the evaluation area of appropriate movement for type of exercise. Longer videos (20 minutes or greater) were of higher quality than shorter videos (less than 20 minutes), performing better in all areas of evaluation. Additionally, most YouTubers leading these workouts did not have appropriate credentials, such as certifications and degrees in exercise science or related fields. Viewers of YouTube exercise content must be wary of the content they consume on this platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggressiveness of groundwater to concrete in Germany – part 2: validation of spatial analyses based on analysis results Groundwater quality needs to be assessed for geotechnical reports pursuant to DIN 4020 by determining the concentrations of magnesium, sulphate, ammonium and lime‐dissolving carbonic acid and their aggressiveness to concrete acc. to DIN 4030‐1. In this context, the first part of this publication introduced thematic maps that show concentration distributions separately for each of the relevant water constituents and, for purposes of the exposure classes defined in DIN 4030‐1, as aggregate values. To underline the importance of the thematic maps, these are compared with analysis results obtained by the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) from 23 construction projects. The analysis results show very good agreement with the results derived from the thematic maps: the evaluations based on the analysis results and those based on the thematic maps are identical except for two sites, for which the maps nevertheless also enable reliable assessments of the aggressiveness to concrete. However, it is recommended that the maps should not be used as a substitute for groundwater sampling and analysis but rather as an additional, valuable method to be included in plausibility checks of analysis results and preliminary assessments of groundwater attack on concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the Second International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (May 2006), the authors, then graduate students, interviewed Norman Denzin for Carolyn Ellis's Advanced Qualitative Methods graduate course at the University of South Florida. Only a few parts of the interview had ever been published. The authors include the transcript of the interview here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores how involving patients as co-reasoners and collaborators in the use of AI in medical decision-making could address issues related to human roles in AI and medical ethics. Topics discussed include the potential for increased patient participation, the impact on automation and algorithm aversion biases, and the use of explainability features in AI systems.

The replication accuracy of DNA polymerase gamma (Pol γ) is essential for mitochondrial genome integrity. Mutation of human Pol γ arginine-853 has been linked to neurological diseases. Although not a catalytic residue, Pol γ arginine-853 mutants are void of polymerase activity. To identify the structural basis for the disease, we determined a crystal structure of the Pol γ mutant ternary complex with correct incoming nucleotide 2'-deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (dCTP). Opposite to the wild type that undergoes open-to-closed conformational changes when bound to a correct nucleotide that is essential for forming a catalytically competent active site, the mutant complex failed to undergo the conformational change, and the dCTP did not base pair with its Watson-Crick complementary templating residue. Our studies revealed that arginine-853 coordinates an interaction network that aligns the 3'-end of primer and dCTP with the catalytic residues. Disruption of the network precludes the formation of Watson-Crick base pairing and closing of the active site, resulting in an inactive polymerase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to show how local political culture can influence what makes the news, i.e. how it becomes a newsworthiness factor. A highlight on a news website can become news without any attribute (intrinsic factor), but only because of the power of the elite (extrinsic factor). We analyze the elite power factor in northeastern Brazilian state news in the pre-election period of the 2020 municipal elections. We examine eight regional websites from the two richest and two poorest regions of Bahia. We want to show how a highlight can become news without any intrinsic factor to the fact, but only by elite power as an extrinsic factor. As an alternative to traditional classifications, we suggested an analysis of news values with separation between intrinsic and extrinsic and then the study of the focus-event. We conclude that one in every ten highlights of the eight websites in the countryside of Bahia during the 2020 pre-election period has elite power as the only newsworthiness criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empfindliche Haut und die damit einhergehende gestörte Reizwahrnehmung wie Juckreizempfindung (Pruritus), Brennen, Stechen und Spannungsgefühl betreffen Verbraucher mit zunehmender Inzidenz weltweit. In diesem Artikel stellen wir SymCalmin® Avena [INCI: Maltodextrin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract], einen modernen, natürlichen, COSMOS-zertifizierten angereicherten Haferextrakt, der auf 200–250 ppm Avenanthramide standardisiert ist, vor. Dieser Extrakt schont das Hautmikrobiom, beugt durch seine beruhigende und hydrierende Wirkung Juckreiz vor und verbessert so das Wohlbefinden auch bei empfindlicher Haut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive skin and accompanying multiple sensory skin symptoms such as itching, burning, tightness, and stinging are a globally relevant consumer issue that is still on the rise. In this article, we will discuss SymCalmin® Avena [INCI: Malto-dextrin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract], a modern natural, COSMOS certified, skin microbiome-friendly, enriched oat ex-tract standardized to 200-250 ppm of avenanthramides and its benefits to soothe sensitive skin by prevention of itch and improvement of skin comfort and hydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotaviruses infect cells by delivering into the cytosol a transcriptionally active inner capsid particle (a "double-layer particle": DLP). Delivery is the function of a third, outer layer, which drives uptake from the cell surface into small vesicles from which the DLPs escape. In published work, we followed stages of rhesus rotavirus (RRV) entry by live-cell imaging and correlated them with structures from cryogenic electron microscopy and tomography (cryo-EM and cryo-ET). The virus appears to wrap itself in membrane, leading to complete engulfment and loss of Ca2+ from the vesicle produced by the wrapping. One of the outer-layer proteins, VP7, is a Ca2+-stabilized trimer; loss of Ca2+ releases both VP7 and the other outer-layer protein, VP4, from the particle. VP4, activated by cleavage into VP8* and VP5*, is a trimer that undergoes a large-scale conformational rearrangement, reminiscent of the transition that viral fusion proteins undergo to penetrate a membrane. The rearrangement of VP5* thrusts a 250-residue, C-terminal segment of each of the three subunits outward, while allowing the protein to remain attached to the virus particle and to the cell being infected. We proposed that this segment inserts into the membrane of the target cell, enabling Ca2+ to cross. In the work reported here, we show the validity of key aspects of this proposed sequence. By cryo-EM studies of liposome-attached virions ("triple-layer particles": TLPs) and single-particle fluorescence imaging of liposome-attached TLPs, we confirm insertion of the VP4 C-terminal segment into the membrane and ensuing generation of a Ca2+ "leak". The results allow us to formulate a molecular description of early events in entry. We also discuss our observations in the context of other work on double-strand RNA virus entry. Author summary: To infect a cell, non-enveloped viruses must have a mechanism to transfer their genomes across a membrane. The double-strand RNA (dsRNA) viruses deliver into the cytosol not just their genomes but an intact subviral particle (diameter ~70 nm). Rhesus rotavirus (RRV) particles attach through a spike-like outer-layer protein, VP4 (cleaved to VP5* and VP8*), then wrap themselves in membrane at the cell surface, producing a small, cytosolic vesicle surrounding each virion, from which the subviral particles escape directly. Loss of Ca2+ from the entering virion always precedes escape. In previous work we found that a conformational change in VP5*/VP8* projects the C-terminal "foot" domain of VP5* outward. We now show, by combining cryo-EM and single-particle optical microscopy of RRV particles interacting with liposomes, that the outward-projected foot penetrates the lipid bilayer, permeabilizing it to Ca2+. The new experiments thus recapitulate the initial step in particle escape and show that the conformational change must occur while the spike protein is membrane-attached, to couple the VP5* conformational change with membrane insertion. These findings bring us closer to a full molecular description how a large, subviral particle (about 70 nm diameter) can be delivered into a target host cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the African Sahel region, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L). R. Brown) is mostly produced in low-nutrient soils. Available evidence shows that low soil fertility and small seed size significantly reduce seedling establishment and in turn, cause low grain yield. Seedball technology, which refers to a gravimetric mixture of loam soil, seeds, water and additives that improve plant performance, could overcome this effect in the field. The objective of this study was to optimise the influence of seedball on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L). R. Brown) seedling establishment in the African Sahel region. Conventionally sown and seedball-derived pearl millet seedlings, of a local and improved varieties, were grown for 29 days, from small and large seed sizes, in low- and medium-nutrient soils, in a greenhouse. Results showed that under low-nutrient conditions, and with small seed sizes, P. glaucum produced generally inferior biomas compared to normal nutrient conditions and large seed sizes. On the other hand, seedball technology significantly enhanced (P<0.05) seedling vigour, leaf number, plant height, dry matter accumulation, root length and fine root development; and nutrient uptake, irrespective of soil nutrient level and seed size in the two varieties used in this study. These enhancement effects were more obvious in the local variety compared to its improved counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutions of higher education are increasingly marked by neoliberal strategies of operation and transaction, when both the institutions and the students ask how they can get the most return on their investment. The rhetoric of "crisis" in higher education is often used to delay care work and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) initiatives, further taxing exhausted individuals and prioritizing profit over people. In this conversation, two administrators at primarily undergraduate institutions ask what role care can play as a radical tool to disrupt neoliberal thinking and center relationships with their colleagues and students. Despite the inherent conflict between capitalism and care, the authors argue, strategies of care--which can include supporting faculty, slowing down, arguing against curricular cuts, furthering DEIJ work, and pursuing joy--can meet the needs of the people who make the institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ductile damage models and cohesive laws incorporate the material plasticity entailing the growth of irrecoverable deformations even after complete failure. This unrealistic growth remains concealed until the unilateral effects arising from the crack closure emerge. We address this issue by proposing a new strategy to cope with the entire process of failure, from the very inception in the form of diffuse damage to the final stage, i.e. the emergence of sharp cracks. To this end, we introduce a new strain field, termed discontinuity strain, to the conventional additive strain decomposition to account for discontinuities in a continuous sense so that the standard principle of virtual work applies. We treat this strain field similar to a strong discontinuity, yet without introducing new kinematic variables and nonlinear boundary conditions. In this paper, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this new strategy at a simple ductile damage constitutive model. The model uses a scalar damage index to control the degradation process. The discontinuity strain field is injected into the strain decomposition if this damage index exceeds a certain threshold. The threshold corresponds to the limit at which the induced imperfections merge and form a discrete crack. With three-point bending tests under pure mode I and mixed-mode conditions, we demonstrate that this augmentation does not show the early crack closure artifact which is wrongly predicted by plastic damage formulations at load reversal. We also use the concrete damaged plasticity model provided in Abaqus commercial finite element program for our comparison. Lastly, a high-intensity low-cycle fatigue test demonstrates the unilateral effects resulting from the complete closure of the induced crack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]