Search

Background: Mathematical models served a critical role in COVID-19 decision making throughout the pandemic. Model calibration is an essential, but often computationally burdensome, step in model development that provides estimates for difficult-to-measure parameters and establishes an up-to-date modeling platform for scenario analysis. In the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, frequent recalibration was necessary to provide ongoing support to decision makers. In this study, we address the computational challenges of frequent recalibration with a new calibration approach. Methods: We calibrated and recalibrated an age-stratified dynamic compartmental model of COVID-19 in Minnesota to statewide COVID-19 cumulative mortality and prevalent age-specific hospitalizations from March 22, 2020 through August 20, 2021. This period was divided into 10 calibration periods, reflecting significant changes in policies, messaging, and/or epidemiological conditions in Minnesota. When recalibrating the model from one period to the next, we employed a sequential calibration approach that leveraged calibration results from previous periods and adjusted only parameters most relevant to the calibration target data of the new calibration period to improve computational efficiency. We compared computational burden and performance of the sequential calibration approach to a more traditional calibration method, in which all parameters were readjusted with each recalibration. Results: Both calibration methods identified parameter sets closely reproducing prevalent hospitalizations and cumulative deaths over time. By the last calibration period, both approaches converged to similar parameter values. However, the sequential calibration approach identified parameter sets that more tightly fit calibration targets and required substantially less computation time than traditional calibration. Conclusions: Sequential calibration is an efficient approach to maintaining up-to-date models with evolving, time-varying parameters and potentially identifies better-fitting parameter sets than traditional calibration. Highlights: This study used a sequential calibration approach, which takes advantage of previous calibration results to reduce the number of parameters to be estimated in each round of calibration, improving computational efficiency and algorithm convergence to best-fitting parameter values. Both sequential and traditional calibration approaches were able to identify parameter sets that closely reproduced calibration targets. However, the sequential calibration approach generated parameter sets that yielded tighter fits and was less computationally burdensome. Sequential calibration is an efficient approach to maintaining up-to-date models with evolving, time-varying parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field trials (FTs) are a necessary step towards future commercialization of biotech crops and products thereof, whether for research and development or cultivation approval. A total of 187 FTs in 30 countries have been compiled for 2022 and 2023 using a survey and intergovernmental databases. FTs have been classified according to methods, crops and traits. Compiled FTs are mostly conducted by the public sector on eight plant species with improved stress resistance, industrial application, yield, and quality. Regarding genome editing (GenEd), 23 FTs (12% of total) are carried out in 6 countries, on 10 crops. Regulations were examined in 141 countries to discuss why in some countries FTs are not performed, although basic biotech research is carried out. The EU particularly is compared to the rest of the world. Regarding the new proposal in the EU for GenEd product classification, it was found that all recent FTs of such products fall in the category that the EU would consider as 'equivalent to conventional plants' (NGT-1). We also studied current cultivation approvals to highlight differences with crops tested in the field and those may be approved in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital ocular malformations originate from defective morphogenesis during early eye development and cause 25% of childhood blindness. Formation of the eye is a multi-step, dynamic process; it involves evagination of the optic vesicle, followed by distal and ventral invagination, leading to the formation of a two-layered optic cup with a transient optic fissure. These tissue folding events require extensive changes in cell shape and tissue growth mediated by cytoskeleton mechanics and intercellular adhesion. We hypothesized that the Rho GTPase Cdc42 may be an essential, convergent effector downstream of key regulatory factors required for ocular morphogenesis. CDC42 controls actin remodeling, apicobasal polarity, and junction assembly. Here we identify a novel essential function for Cdc42 during eye morphogenesis in mouse; in Cdc42 mutant eyes expansion of the ventral optic cup is arrested, resulting in microphthalmia and a wide coloboma. Our analyses show that Cdc42 is required for expression of the polarity effector proteins PRKCZ and PARD6, intercellular junction protein tight junction protein 1, β -catenin, actin cytoskeleton F-actin, and contractile protein phospho myosin light chain 2. Expression of RPE fate determinants OTX2 and MITF, and formation of the RPE layer are severely affected in the temporal domain of the proximal optic cup. EdU incorporation is significantly downregulated. In addition, mitotic retinal progenitor cells mislocalize deeper, basal regions, likely contributing to decreased proliferation. We propose that morphogenesis of the ventral optic cup requires Cdc42 function for coordinated optic cup expansion and establishment of subretinal space, tissue tension, and differentiation of the ventral RPE layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By considering an arbitrary bare action describing BSM physics, we use the Barvinsky-Vilkovisky resummation to obtain the most general non-local electroweak effective action at second order in the field strength. We also include the contribution of the functional measure to the effective action, which is found to modify the Higgs potential by shifting its vacuum value. The resulting effective action provides one-loop corrections to the W and Z boson masses, ultimately leading to the most general expression for the ρ parameter at one-loop. The functional measure plays a pivotal role as it allows the parameterization of ρ in inverse powers of the scale of new physics, while containing non-local form factors. The comparison of ρ with the latest data leads to several constraints on the UV particle spectra of BSM models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) is an instrument built to image x-rays from solar wind charge exchange in Earth's magnetosheath. Monitoring the position of the magnetopause at the inner boundary of the magnetosheath allows us to understand how magnetic reconnection regulates how energy from the solar wind is deposited into Earth's magnetosphere. LEXI is part of an upcoming lunar lander mission set to land in Mare Crisium. To repel unwanted charged particles, the instrument carries a permanent magnet array composed of 48 neodymium magnets. The array was designed to maximize charged particle deflection while minimizing stray magnetic fields, which could impact other instruments or spacecraft operation. A Runge–Kutta-based fully kinetic particle tracing model was created to evaluate the effectiveness of LEXI's unique charged particle deflector array. Combined with the other particle suppression measures of the instrument, including physical structures and filters, the simulations show proton and electron transmission to the LEXI detector is expected to be sufficiently reduced to allow successful imaging. The flexible simulation model can be generalized to be used in examining the magnetic deflector array effectiveness of other instruments whose signals could be compromised by unwanted charged particle contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and treating pediatric arrhythmias is essential for pediatric anesthesiologists. Pediatric patients can present with narrow or wide complex tachycardias, though the former is more common. Patients with inherited channelopathies or cardiomyopathies are at increased risk. Since most pediatric patients present for anesthesia without a baseline electrocardiogram, the first identification of an arrhythmia may occur under general anesthesia. Supraventricular tachycardia, the most common pediatric tachyarrhythmia, represents a broad category of predominately narrow complex tachycardias. Stimulating events including intubation, vascular guidewire manipulation, and surgical stimulation can trigger episodes. Valsalva maneuvers are unreliable as treatment, making adenosine or other intravenous antiarrhythmics the preferred acute therapy. Reentrant tachycardias are the most common supraventricular tachycardia in pediatric patients, including atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (due to a distinct accessory pathway) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (due to an accessory pathway within the atrioventricular node). Patients with ventricular preexcitation, often referred to as Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome, have a wide QRS with short PR interval, indicating antegrade conduction through the accessory pathway. These patients are at risk for sudden death if atrial fibrillation degenerates into ventricular fibrillation over a high‐risk accessory pathway. Automatic tachycardias, such as atrial tachycardia and junctional ectopic tachycardia, are causes of supraventricular tachycardia in pediatric patients, the latter most typically noted after cardiac surgery. Patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes, such as congenital long QT syndrome, are at risk of developing ventricular arrhythmias such as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (Torsades de Pointes) which can be exacerbated by QT prolonging medications. Patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia are at particular risk for developing bidirectional ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation during exogenous or endogenous catecholamine surges. Non‐selective beta blockers are first line for most forms of long QT syndrome as well as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Anesthesiologists should review the impact of medications on the QT interval and transmural dispersion of repolarization, to limit increasing the risk of Torsades de Pointes in patients with long QT syndrome. This review explores the key anesthetic considerations for these arrhythmias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In higher education, the discursive establishment of 'faculty' vs. 'administrator' creates a dualistic, hierarchical structure, informing relationalities between/within ourselves and faculty. As administrators, we found/find ourselves in relational encounters, entanglements of material-discursive bodies, that we were/are a part of producing. In these relational encounters, we experience ethics, care, and response-ability within immanent decision-making processes that bear the imprint of tradition and hierarchy. We think-write-live with our academic roles, gendered-racial-cultural-ethic identities, and experiences as administrators in higher education to consider how various philosophical concepts inform how we do admining. We ask, how do post-philosophical perspectives come into being with/in/through administration(ing), especially in the current political, higher education context? We think with relational encounters and post-philosophical concepts to illuminate that contemporary, care-full contestations of admining can create new educational imaginaries in hope-full renewals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: While prompt identification and treatment of infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can ameliorate outcomes, variability persists. This study assessed management and outcomes of early‐treated infants with SMA. Methods: We analyzed retrospective data at 12 centers on infants with SMA treated at age ≤6 weeks from August 2018 to December 2023. Results: Sixty‐six patients, 35 with two SMN2 copies and 31 with ≥3 SMN2 copies, were included. Twenty‐five (38%, 22 with two SMN2 copies), had SMA findings before initial treatment which was onasemnogene abeparvovec in 47 (71%) and nusinersen in 19 (29%). Thirty‐two received sequential or combination treatments, including 16 adding nusinersen or risdiplam due to SMA findings following onasemnogene abeparvovec. All sat independently. Compared to children with ≥3 SMN2 copies, those with two SMN2 copies were less likely to walk (23/34 [68%] vs. 31/31 [100%], p <.001) and less likely to walk on time (9/34 [26%] vs. 29/31 [94%], p <.001); one non‐ambulatory child was <18 months old and was excluded from this analysis. No patients required permanent ventilation or exclusively enteral nutrition; six required nocturnal non‐invasive ventilation and four utilized supplemental enteral nutrition, all with two SMN2 copies. Discussion: Early treatment of infants with SMA can improve outcomes as indicated by our cohort, all of whom sat independently and are without permanent ventilation. However, our study demonstrates ongoing disability in most children with two SMN2 copies despite early monotherapy and emphasizes the need for additional research, including earlier monotherapy, initial combination therapy, prenatal treatment, and non‐SMN modifying treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population structure of Cannabis sativa L. was explored across nine independent collections that each contained a unique sampling of varieties. Hierarchical Clustering of Principal Components (HCPC) identified a range of three to seven genetic clusters across datasets with inconsistent structure based on use type indicating the importance of sampling particularly when there is limited passport data. There was broader genetic diversity in modern cultivars relative to landraces. Further, in a subset of geo-referenced landrace accessions, population structure was observed based on geography. The inconsistent structure across different collections shows the complexity within Cannabis, and the importance of understanding any particular collection which could then be leveraged in breeding programs for future crop improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-informed decision making is a critical goal for many community-based public health research initiatives. However, community partners often encounter challenges when interacting with data. The Community-Engaged Data Science (CEDS) model offers a goal-oriented, iterative guide for communities to collaborate with research data scientists through data ambassadors. This study presents a case study of CEDS applied to research on the opioid epidemic in 18 counties in Ohio as part of the HEALing Communities Study (HCS). Data ambassadors provided a pivotal role in empowering community coalitions to translate data into action using key steps of CEDS which included: data landscapes identifying available data in the community; data action plans from logic models based on community data needs and gaps of data; data collection/sharing agreements; and data systems including portals and dashboards. Throughout the CEDS process, data ambassadors emphasized sustainable data workflows, supporting continued data engagement beyond the HCS. The implementation of CEDS in Ohio underscored the importance of relationship building, timing of implementation, understanding communities' data preferences, and flexibility when working with communities. Researchers should consider implementing CEDS and integrating a data ambassador in community-based research to enhance community data engagement and drive data-informed interventions to improve public health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geocoronal Solar Wind Charge Exchange (SWCX) is the process by which heavy ions from the solar wind undergo charge exchange with neutral hydrogen atoms from the Earth's exosphere, releasing photons at discrete energies characteristic of the solar wind ions. This paper investigates the solar wind types driving geocoronal SWCX. We find that during periods of time‐variable SWCX, higher fractions of every ion species are recorded by ACE compared to the averages. Notably, a subset of the slow solar wind characterized by a systematic lower temperature and higher proton flux is surprisingly effective for producing SWCX. Given the degradation of the solar wind composition spectrometer on ACE in 2011, we explore the capabilities of XMM‐Newton as an alternative sensor to monitor heavy ion composition in the solar wind. Unlike the distributions of other ion line fluxes analyzed, only OVIII, extracted via spectral analysis of XMM‐Newton observations, display patterns similar to the corresponding parent ion abundances from ACE O8+/p $\left({\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{8}+}/\mathrm{p}\right)$. Finally, we employ a Random Forest Classifier model to predict solar wind types based on literature results. When combining proton data with XMM‐Newton features, the model performance improves significantly, achieving a macro‐averaged F1 score of 0.80 (with a standard deviation of 0.06). Key Points: Variable solar wind charge exchange is associated with periods of outlier wind having increased solar wind proton fluxXMM‐Newton observes differences in solar wind charge exchange emission count rate during different solar wind typesThe distribution of the OVIII line flux from XMM‐Newton is similar to that of the ACE O8+/p ratio across different solar wind types [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotic systems have the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of percutaneous interventions. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as high costs and usability deficiencies. To address these challenges, we designed a novel semi-automated robotic system that combines manual and robotic degrees of freedom for needle guidance. Since the initial presentation of the system, we have implemented hardware and software improvements. The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the system. To achieve this, experiments were conducted that involved the entire process from CT scanning to lesion targeting with a needle, using a phantom that replicated abdominal lesions of varying sizes. A total of 36 needle insertions were performed, and a control scan was conducted each time to evaluate the needle tip position. The results demonstrate promising accuracy, with a mean Euclidean error of 5.8 ± 1.7 mm. Qualitative analysis showed that lesion targeting was successful across different sizes, with a total success rate of 27 out of 36 attempts. Although our prototype shows promising accuracy, there is still room for improvement compared to existing systems. Future efforts will prioritize enhancing accuracy, exploring usability aspects, and validating the system's performance with medical professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective The objective of this study is to determine the effect of aging on tensile strength and surface condition of orthodontic aligners on days 0, 1, 5, 7, 10, and 14. Materials/Methods The total sample of 80 aligners included five brands (Accusmile®, Angel®, GRAPHY®, Invisalign® and Suresmile®) were placed in a thermocycler to imitate the temperature variations of the oral cavity and accelerate aging for 50, 250, 350, 500, and 700 cycles. The mechanical tensile properties (Young's modulus E, yield strength YS, maximum elastic stress MES, Ultimate Tensile Strength UTS, and maximum stress MS) were measured by Universal Testing Machine at a rate of 5 mm of deformation per minute for 4 minutes. Microscopic observations were made under a voltage of 10 kV at magnifications times 50, 250, 500, 1000, and 2500 after cleaning with ethanol and ultrasound then metallization with gold. Results YS and MES of Angel® aligners are statistically reduced after five days of aging (P  = .003). Aligners from the most rigid to the most flexible are (decreasing E): Accusmile® > GRAPHY® > Suresmile® > Invisalign® > Angel®. Surface conditions also deteriorated with aging (appearance of scratches, porosity, cracks, etc.). GRAPHY® aligners are more heterogeneous and weaker than others. Limits In vitro study Conclusion Mechanical properties of Accusmile®, GRAPHY®, Invisalign®, and Suresmile® were not affected by aging. YS and MES were reduced from day 5 for Angel® aligners. Surface conditions are also altered by aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guidelines recommend the identification of potential mental and/or cognitive disorders (MCD) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, compliance with these guidelines appears to be lacking in primary care. A minimal invasive intervention was tailored with experts for the primary care setting to increase the identification of this patient group and ensure proper treatment. The intervention includes: A trigger question, screening tests and question prompt sheet for patients. Following the implementation of this intervention in primary care physician (PCP) offices, the aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation outcomes. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten PCPs who tested the intervention for six months. The study was guided by Proctor's Framework on Implementation Outcomes to understand the appropriateness, feasibility, acceptability, fidelity and sustainability of the intervention as proxies for implementation success. Results: Relevance of the topic and the need for the intervention is recognised by all of the PCPs. All PCPs were willing to try the intervention and considered it generally appropriate and feasible. Additionally, supporting implementation resources were considered helpful in familiarising with the intervention. Screening of patients with a first diagnosis of CHD, those who have had experienced a recent coronary event and those who have been hospitalised for CHD is considered practical and appropriate. Known barriers such as lack of knowledge, perceived relevance and awareness were successfully addressed. It was not possible to overcome barriers such as time pressure, forgetfulness, and patient reaction. Additionally, the paper format of the information materials was perceived as impractical, and integration into the physician information system was identified as a possible way to increase acceptance. Nevertheless, PCPs stated they will continue to be aware of the link between CHD and MCD and want to maintain their individualised approach. Conclusions: The study provides important insights into the use of a minimal invasive intervention in primary care. Despite tailoring the intervention to the primary care setting, implementation success was suboptimal due to individual barriers in PCP offices. This highlights the need for tailored approaches at the level of individual PCP offices to better address context-specific barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field trials (FTs) are a necessary step towards future commercialization of biotech crops and products thereof, whether for research and development or cultivation approval. A total of 187 FTs in 30 countries have been compiled for 2022 and 2023 using a survey and intergovernmental databases. FTs have been classified according to methods, crops and traits. Compiled FTs are mostly conducted by the public sector on eight plant species with improved stress resistance, industrial application, yield, and quality. Regarding genome editing (GenEd), 23 FTs (12% of total) are carried out in 6 countries, on 10 crops. Regulations were examined in 141 countries to discuss why in some countries FTs are not performed, although basic biotech research is carried out. The EU particularly is compared to the rest of the world. Regarding the new proposal in the EU for GenEd product classification, it was found that all recent FTs of such products fall in the category that the EU would consider as 'equivalent to conventional plants' (NGT-1). We also studied current cultivation approvals to highlight differences with crops tested in the field and those may be approved in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article suggests partnership and cooperation between mental health clinicians and law enforcement to prevent mental illness. Topics include role of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT programs) in preparing officers to assist individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, way psychiatrists and mental health clinicians can improve crisis response within their communities, and the use of the Sequential Intercept Model to address the overrepresentation of individuals with serious mental illness.

With some exceptions, California Assembly Bill 2188 will preclude the use of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (Δ9-THC-COOH) as a marker of cannabis use in urinary workplace drug testing. The bill allows for the use of psychoactive cannabis markers, which include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and the metabolite 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-Δ9-THC). Both analytes are present in urine mainly as conjugated metabolites and will require hydrolysis prior to analysis, but very little is known about expected concentrations in urine. The aim of this study was to report the concentrations from two large datasets comprising 1411 workplace drug-testing urine specimens that tested positive by immunoassay (50 ng/mL cutoff) and discuss strategies for using 11-OH-Δ9-THC and/or Δ9-THC to detect cannabis use. Median 11-OH-Δ9-THC and Δ9-THC concentrations were 28%–35% and 1.1%–1.6% of those of Δ9-THC-COOH, respectively, and correlations between the analytes were observed. To avoid the risk of positives from passive exposure, laboratories could use a cutoff with equivalent sensitivity to cannabis exposure. A 5 ng/mL cutoff for 11-OH-Δ9-THC showed 92% agreement with a 15 ng/mL cutoff for Δ9-THC-COOH, with only 0.9% of specimens being positive only for 11-OH-Δ9-THC. It was not possible to propose an estimated cutoff for Δ9-THC, due to the constraints of the limit of detection used in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the resources of the world's healthcare systems. Most individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) experience significant mental health issues and face substantial barriers in accessing appropriate supports which have been exacerbated during the pandemic. It is unknown the extent to which COVID-19 impacted the demand for and effectiveness of inpatient care for those with NDDs. The impact of COVID-19 on the number of admissions of youth with NDDs to pediatric inpatient psychiatry units, as well as their functioning and length of stay during the first two years of the pandemic was analyzed using Bayesian structural time series models. Admission data of youth with NDDs from four pediatric inpatient units in Alberta, Canada (n = 2144) was examined. Inpatient admissions of youth with NDDs significantly increased following the onset of the pandemic. Compared to the period prior to the pandemic, patients with NDDs had significantly worse overall functioning and received fewer days of treatment. These findings highlight the need for increased resources to support the mental health needs of this vulnerable population and are consistent with other studies in the general population examining the utilization of inpatient psychiatric units during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) can protect patients from sudden cardiac death due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias and serve as a bridge to decision of definite defibrillator implantation. The aim of this analysis from an international, multicenter WCD registry was to identify predictors of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or ventricular fibrillation (VF) in this population. Methods: One thousand six hundred seventy-five patients with WCD were included in a multicenter registry from 9 European centers, with a median follow-up of 440 days (IQR 120–893). The primary study end point was the occurrence of sustained VT/VF. Results: Sustained VT was detected by WCD in 5.4% and VF in 0.9% of all patients. Of the 30.3% of patients receiving ICD implantation during follow-up, sustained VT was recorded in 9.3% and VF in 2.6%. Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (HR 0.5, p < 0.001), and medication with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (HR 0.7, p = 0.027) and aldosterone antagonists (HR 0.7, p = 0.005) were associated with a significantly lower risk of VT/VF. Conclusions: Patients who received WCD due to a transient increased risk of sudden cardiac death have a comparatively lower risk of VT/VF in the presence of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Of note, optimal medical treatment for heart failure not only results in an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction but also in a reduction in the risk for VT/VF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While worker well-being is increasingly recognised as a performance driver and marker of socially responsible organisations, workaholism is ubiquitous and remains poorly understood. This study aims to uncover workaholism precursors, dynamics and trajectories, and explains how organisations can manage its emergence and impact. Design/methodology/approach: Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of self-identified workaholics in New Zealand and analysed through interpretivist phenomenological analysis. Findings: This study contributes to the workaholism literature by elucidating how the work–identity link is formed and maintained, the psychophysiological experiences and worldviews of workaholics and the role families, organisations and culture play in workaholism. The findings also elucidate the relationship between workaholism, work addiction and engagement. Practical implications: The authors outline how leaders and organisations can detect and manage workaholism risk factors and understand its trajectories to develop healthy workplaces. Originality/value: The retrospective experiential accounts obtained from a diverse sample of workaholics enabled the identification of workaholism precursors, including some previously undetected in the literature, their complex interrelations with environmental factors and workaholism trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Blood-based biomarker tests can potentially change the landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. We characterize the conditions under which blood test screening would be as effective and cost-effective as annual fecal immunochemical testing or decennial colonoscopy. Methods We used the 3 Cancer Information and Surveillance Modeling Network–Colon models to compare scenarios of no screening, annual fecal immunochemical testing, decennial colonoscopy, and a blood test meeting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) coverage criteria (74% CRC sensitivity and 90% specificity). We varied the sensitivity to detect CRC (74%-92%), advanced adenomas (10%-50%), screening interval (1-3 years), and test cost ($25-$500). Primary outcomes included quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained from screening and costs for a US average-risk cohort of individuals aged 45 years. Results Annual fecal immunochemical testing yielded 125-163 QALY gained per 1000 at a cost of $3811-$5384 per person, whereas colonoscopy yielded 132-177 QALY gained at a cost of $5375-$7031 per person. A blood test with 92% CRC sensitivity and 50% advanced adenoma sensitivity yielded 117-162 QALY gained if used every 3 years and 133-173 QALY gained if used every year but would not be cost-effective if priced above $125 per test. If used every 3 years, a $500 blood test only meeting CMS coverage criteria yielded 83-116 QALY gained at a cost of $8559-$9413 per person. Conclusion Blood tests that only meet CMS coverage requirements should not be recommended to patients who would otherwise undergo screening by colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical testing because of lower benefit. Blood tests need higher advanced adenoma sensitivity (above 40%) and lower costs (below $125) to be cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given recent advances in cancer therapeutics, there is a growing population of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors navigating the physical and psychological consequences of cancer treatment. Fertility preservation (FP) conversations are of increasing importance for these survivors. Decision regret (DR) is a measure of distress or remorse following a health care decision, and it is a useful tool to evaluate the impact of a treatment on quality of life. The aim of this systematic review is to culminate existing literature focused on determinants of FP DR among AYA cancer survivors and to propose future interventions to reduce DR among AYA cancer survivors. An electronic database search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and APA PsycINFO for articles published before December 2023 using the following search criteria: PubMed: "Fertility Preservation"[Mesh] AND decision regret, APA PsycINFO and Web of Science: Fertility Preservation AND decision regret. Articles were organized into five categories that emerged after initial review. Nineteen articles that focused on DR and FP in AYA cancer survivors aged ≤40 and ≥12 years were included. Article results were categorized into five categories pertaining to determinants of FP DR: Unmet Informational and Emotional Needs, Need for Developmentally Appropriate Conversations, Insufficiency of Provider Training, Quality and Timeliness of Fertility Preservation Discussions, and Societal Barriers. These results highlight the need for improved patient and provider education on FP, such as future longitudinal studies focused on standardization of FP-related protocols and the impact of their implementation on DR, especially for AYA cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Little is known regarding the relationship between anticholinergic medications and frailty in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). METHODS: Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB) and Claims‐based Frailty Index scores were calculated for 12 months prior to the dementia diagnosis using electronic medical record and claims data. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between ACB and odds of frailty. RESULTS: Compared to controls (n = 525), a diagnosis of DLB (n = 175; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 15.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0–33.9) or Alzheimer's disease (AD: n = 525; aOR = 7.7, 95% CI: 4.4–13.7) was associated with an increased odds of frailty. Patients with DLB had greater prescriptions for anticholinergic medications than patients with AD (pB < 0.001; 23% vs 9.7%). ACB was positively correlated with frailty for all groups (r = 0.30 to 0.47, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Cumulative anticholinergic burden may be a modifiable predictor of frailty among older adults, including those newly diagnosed with dementia. Highlights: Patients with newly diagnosed dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are more likely to have prescriptions for anticholinergic medications relative to patients newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and older adults without documented cognitive impairment.In the year prior to a documented dementia diagnosis, 74% of patients with DLB and 66% of patients with AD had evidence of frailty.Anticholinergic medication burden was associated with frailty among all older adults in the study, including those without a dementia diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between current use of oral contraceptives (OCs) among women younger than 50 years (n  = 306 541), and hormone therapy (HT) among women aged 50 years or older (n  = 323 203), and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection and hospitalization was evaluated in this population-based cohort. Current OC/HT use was recorded monthly using prescription dispensing data. COVID-19 infections were identified from March 2020 through February 2021. COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations were identified through diagnosis codes and laboratory tests. We used weighted generalized estimating equations models to estimate multivariable adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for COVID-19 infection associated with time-varying OC/HT use. Among women with COVID-19, logistic regression models were used to evaluate OC/HT use and COVID-19 hospitalization. Over 12 months, 11 727 (3.8%) women younger than 50 years and 8661 (2.7%) women aged 50 years or older experienced COVID-19 infections. There was no evidence of an association between OC use and infection (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97-1.12). There was a modest association between HT use and infection (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03-1.38). Women using OCs had a 39% lower risk of hospitalization (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.38-1.00), but there was no association of HT use with hospitalization (aOR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.51-1.53). These findings do not suggest a meaningfully greater risk of COVID-19 infection associated with OC or HT use. OC use may be associated with lower COVID-19 hospitalization risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

General Relativity predicts the existence of quadratic quasi-normal modes at second order in perturbation theory. Building on our recent work, we compute the amplitudes and polarizations of these modes for non-rotating black holes, showing that they are completely determined by the amplitudes and polarizations of linear modes. We obtain the ratio of quadratic to linear amplitudes, which still depends on the initial conditions of the merger through the polarization of linear modes. However, we demonstrate that this dependence is captured by four fundamental numbers, independent of initial conditions, representing four different combinations of linear modes parities. Additionally, we prove two selection rules regarding the vanishing of classes of quadratic modes. Our results are available online as a package which provides the ratio of amplitudes across a broad spectrum of angular momenta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Prospective multicentre observational study evaluating acute lower limb ischaemia (PROMOTE-ALI)" presents the findings of a large-scale study on acute lower limb ischaemia (ALI). The study aimed to evaluate current treatment strategies and outcomes for ALI patients, with a focus on risk factors for loss of amputation-free survival (AFS). The study included 705 patients from 12 European countries and found that chronic kidney disease, smoking, and pre-existing direct oral anticoagulation were significantly associated with loss of 90-day AFS. The study also highlighted the importance of individualized revascularization strategies and post-procedural surveillance to improve outcomes for ALI patients. The document is a list of authors and their affiliations for the study, along with information about funding, author contributions, conflicts of interest, and data availability. The study aims to evaluate risk factors and outcomes of acute limb ischemia and compare different treatment approaches, emphasizing the importance of data collection and adherence to reporting standards. [Extracted from the article]

Ionizing radiation induced transformations in materials were monitored through tracking of the generation and degradation processes of radical species. Consequently, the types and quantities of radicals were determined by electron spin resonance (ESR). Subsequently, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was utilized to assess the impact of irradiation on the material crystallinity. The effects of gamma rays, X-rays, and electron beams were investigated on different polyamides, which exhibit an ESR signal up to 60 days. DSC results showed no significant effect of irradiation on the melting peak temperature of the materials, indicating that the amount of radicals generated was not large enough to induce a significant alteration of the material's macrostructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) significantly impairs the quality of life for those affected. While the exact causes of MDD are not fully understood, the deficit of monoamines, especially serotonin and noradrenaline, is widely accepted. Resistance to long-term treatments and adverse effects are often observed, highlighting the need for new pharmacological therapies. Synthetic organic compounds containing selenium have exhibited pharmacological properties, including potential antidepressant effects. Objective: To evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of N-(3-((3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)selenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl) benzamide (CF3SePB) in mice and the involvement of the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems. Methods: Male Swiss mice were treated with CF3SePB (1–50 mg/kg, i.g.) and 30 min later the forced swimming test (FST) or tail suspension test (TST) was performed. To investigate the involvement of the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in the antidepressant-like effect of CF3SePB, mice were pre-treated with p-CPA (a 5-HT depletor, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or the receptor antagonists WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, s.c., a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), ketanserin (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist), ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist), GR110838 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist), prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist), yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) and propranolol (2 mg/kg, i.p., a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist) at specific times before CF3SePB (50 mg/kg, i.g.), and after 30 min of CF3SePB administration the FST was performed. Results: CF3SePB showed an antidepressant-like effect in both FST and TST and this effect was related to the modulation of the serotonergic system, specially the 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptors. None of the noradrenergic antagonists prevented the antidepressant-like effect of CF3SePB. The compound exhibited a low potential for inducing acute toxicity in adult female Swiss mice. Conclusion: This study pointed a new compound with antidepressant-like effect, and it could be considered for the development of new antidepressants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective of this study was to identify how value assessment frameworks may need to be adapted to measure the value to society of DMD therapies. Patients and Methods: Three stakeholder groups (6 patient advocates, 4 clinicians, 3 health economists; N = 13) participated in semi-structured interviews around the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research's Value Flower, which includes elements to consider within value assessments of healthcare technologies. Results: All stakeholders agreed that traditional value assessment frameworks based on the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) are narrow and will undervalue new DMD therapies. All stakeholders expressed some level of concern that using the QALY as a key metric of value discriminates against patients with severe progressive diseases and disabilities. Some stakeholders saw value in using the QALY for cross-disease comparisons in resource-constrained environments if the methodology was appropriate. All stakeholders recommended considering additional elements of value in decision-making around new DMD therapies. These elements reflect: economic and humanistic costs incurred by patients, caregivers, and families with Duchenne, such as indirect out-of-pocket costs, lost productivity, and family spillovers; meaningful attributes for individuals with disabilities and high unmet need, such as severity of disease, value of hope, and real option value; and factors that contribute to improvements in population health, such as insurance value, equity, and scientific spillovers. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to expand traditional value assessment frameworks and take a holistic approach that incorporates the perspectives of individuals with Duchenne, caregivers, clinicians, and health economists when assessing the societal value of new DMD therapies. Broadening value assessment will prevent restricted or delayed access to therapies for individuals with Duchenne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method for improving the amplitude and angular error of inductive position sensors, by advancing the design of receiver coil systems with multiple windings on two layers of a printed circuit board. Multiple phase-shifted windings are connected in series, resulting in an increased amplitude of the induced voltage while decreasing the angular error of the sensor. The amplitude increase for a specific number of windings can be predicted in closed form. Windings are placed electrically in series by means of a differential connection structure, without adversely affecting the signal quality while requiring a minimal amount of space in the layout. Further, we introduce a receiver coil centerline function which specifically enables dense, space-constrained designs. It allows for maximization of the number of possible coil windings while minimizing the impact on angular error. This compromise can be fine-tuned freely with a shape parameter. The application to a typical rotary encoder design for motor control applications with five periods is presented as an example and analyzed in detail by 3D finite-element simulation of 18 different variants, varying both the number of windings and the type of centerline functions. The best peak-to-peak angular error achieved in the examples is smaller than 0.1° electrically (0.02° mechanically, periodicity 5) under nominal tolerance conditions, in addition to an amplitude increase of more than 170% compared to a conventional design which exhibits more than twice the angular error. Amplitude gains of more than 270% are achieved at the expense of increased angular error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following texts, by three critical session leaders, provide perhaps a conclusion to the special issue articles, but more importantly, may serve as "feedback loops" for becomings-with future present critical qualitative inquiries, for more just becomings that we have not thought. We become-with a new scholar who shares the important issues of her life as a beginning researcher, and we become-with two more senior researchers who share their critical experiences along with possibilities for reconceptualizing critical work as ethical ontologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Brain metastases (BMs) are common in cancer patients, and stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) is a preferred treatment. This retrospective study analyzed patients treated with SRT for a single BM and compared two subgroups: "Cohort 1" (no cerebral re-irradiation) and "Cohort 2" (received subsequent SRT sessions for recurrence). Patients treated with SRT for a single BM between January 2010 and June 2020 were included. Cohort 1 had 152 patients, and Cohort 2 had 46 patients. Cohort 2 had younger patients with higher Karnofsky performance status (KPS). Median overall survival was longer in Cohort 2 (21.8 months) compared to Cohort 1 (6.1 months). Recurrence rates were higher in Cohort 2 (p < 0.001), likely due to patient selection and longer survival. Age and KPS were predictive of survival, especially for patients under 65 with KPS > 80. Age and KPS predict better survival in patients with BMs. Background: Brain metastases (BMs) frequently occur in cancer patients, and stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) is a preferred treatment option. In this retrospective study, we analyzed patients treated by SRT for a single BM during their first SRT session and we compared two subgroups: "Cohort 1" with patients did not undergo cerebral re-irradiation and "Cohort 2" with patients received at least one subsequent SRT session for cerebral recurrence. Methods: We included patients who received SRT for a single BM between January 2010 and June 2020. Cohort 1 comprised 152 patients, and Cohort 2 had 46 patients. Results: Cohort 2 exhibited younger patients with higher Karnofsky performance status (KPS). Median overall survival was considerably longer in Cohort 2 (21.8 months) compared to Cohort 1 (6.1 months). Local and cerebral recurrence rates were significantly higher in Cohort 2 (p < 0.001), attributed to patient selection and longer survival. The combined score of age and KPS proved to be a predictive factor for survival, with patients under 65 years of age and KPS > 80 showing the best survival rates in the overall population. Conclusion: This retrospective study highlights that the combined score of age and KPS can predict better survival, especially for patients under 65 years with a KPS score above 80. Further research involving larger and more diverse populations is essential to validate and expand upon these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review evaluates the strength of evidence for school-based mental health and suicide prevention programs that meet the legal eligibility criteria of the Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 2021 (STANDUP Act). Included studies were aggregated by program and a program's overall body of evidence was evaluated using the LEGEND system. Requirements for implementation were also documented. We identified 29 studies, which, when aggregated, encompassed 12 unique programs that meet the statute's evidence-based criteria. All four outcomes described in the statute were measured, with help-seeking being the most commonly measured. Two programs were assigned a high level of evidence in decreasing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The findings serve as a resource for school officials in identifying evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention programs and understanding the resources needed for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: This S2k guideline on venous leg ulcers was created on the initiative and under the leadership of the German Society of Phlebology and Lymphology (DGPL). The guideline group also consisted of representatives from the German Society for Phlebology and Lymphology, German Dermatological Society, German Society for General Medicine, German Society for Angiology, German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine, German Society for Surgery, German Society for Dermatosurgery, German Society for Wound Healing and Wound Treatment, Professional Association of Phlebologists and Lymphologists and Initiative Chronische Wunden. The aim of this guideline is to combine the different approaches and levels of knowledge of the respective professional groups on the basis of consensus, so that a basic concept for the best possible treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers can be provided. A total of 70 specific recommendations were formulated and agreed upon, divided into the subject areas of diagnostics, therapy, prevention of recurrences, and everyday challenges. The guideline thus reflects the current state of scientific knowledge and is intended to be widely used as the best available document for the treatment of patients with venous leg ulcers in everyday clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem definition: We examine the effects of prolonged consecutive working days without breaks on care quality and explore its association with daily staffing levels in neonatal intensive care nursing teams. Academic/practical relevance: Healthcare organizations typically base staffing guidelines on safe daily metrics like nurse-to-patient ratios. However, in response to unforeseen demand spikes or staff shortages, managers often depend on staff working additional consecutive days to bridge staffing gaps. This approach, although addressing immediate staffing needs, can inadvertently impact care quality and safety, potentially undermining the benefits of higher staffing levels. Methodology: Using longitudinal data from 62 German neonatal units, we analyze the effect of nursing teams' consecutive working days on the time from admission to full enteral feeding for 847 low-birth-weight babies, considering nurse-to-patient ratios and patient complexity. Results: Longer consecutive working periods harmfully affect care quality, especially during staffing shortages. The detrimental impact on days with low staffing is particularly pronounced in patients with less complex medical needs. Limiting the team-average number of consecutive working days to two days would have reduced the time to full enteral feeding in our study by 6.4%. Shifting from half a day less to half a day more than the average number of consecutive working days has an impact equal to 20% of the difference in time taken to reach full enteral feeding between low- and high-birth-weight babies. Managerial implications: Limiting consecutive working days could significantly improve intensive care outcomes. Management should monitor consecutive working days alongside daily staffing levels. Policy makers should consider introducing limits on the number of consecutive working days for intensive care nurses. Funding: This work was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany [Grant 01GY1152]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: For the treatment of single-sided deafness (SSD), common treatment choices include a contralateral routing of signals (CROS) hearing aid, a bone conduction device (BCD), and a cochlear implant (CI). The primary aim of this study was to compare speech understanding in noise and binaural benefits in adults with postlingual SSD between preoperative unaided baseline, preoperative CROS and BCD trial devices, and CI, following recommendations from a consensus protocol. In addition, we investigated the effect of masker type on speech understanding. Methods: This was a prospective study with twelve participants. Binaural effects of head shadow, squelch, summation, and spatial release from masking were assessed by measuring speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in five different spatial target-masker configurations using two different maskers: two-talker babble (TTB), and speech-shaped noise (SSN). Preoperatively, participants were assessed unaided and with CROS and BCD trial devices. After cochlear implantation, participants were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months post-activation. Results: For TTB, significant improvements in SRT with a CI relative to preoperatively unaided were found in all spatial configurations. With CI at 6 months, median benefits were 7.8 dB in SSSDNAH and 5.1 dB in S0NAH (head shadow), 3.4 dB in S0N0 (summation), and 4.6 dB in S0NSSD and 5.1 dB in SAHNSSD (squelch). CROS yielded a significant head shadow benefit of 2.4 dB in SSSDNAH and a significant deterioration in squelch of 2.5 dB in S0NSSD and SAHNSSD, but no summation effect. With BCD, there was a significant summation benefit of 1.5 dB, but no head shadow nor squelch effect. For SSN, significant improvements in SRT with CI compared to preoperatively unaided were found in three spatial configurations. Median benefits with CI at 6 months were: 8.5 dB in SSSDNAH and 4.6 dB in S0NAH (head shadow), 1.4 dB in S0N0 (summation), but no squelch. CROS showed a significant head shadow benefit of 1.7 dB in SSSDNAH, but no summation effect, and a significant deterioration in squelch of 2.9 dB in S0NSSD and 3.2 dB in SAHNSSD. With BCD, no binaural effect was obtained. Longitudinally, we found significant head shadow benefits with a CI in SSSDNAH in both maskers at all postoperative intervals and in S0NAH at 3 and 6 months post-activation. Conclusion: With a CI, a clear benefit for masked speech perception was observed for all binaural effects. Benefits with CROS and BCD were more limited. CROS usage was detrimental to the squelch effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To calibrate Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET)'s SimCRC, MISCAN-Colon, and CRC-SPIN simulation models of the natural history colorectal cancer (CRC) with an emulator-based Bayesian algorithm and internally validate the model-predicted outcomes to calibration targets. Methods: We used Latin hypercube sampling to sample up to 50,000 parameter sets for each CISNET-CRC model and generated the corresponding outputs. We trained multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks (ANNs) as emulators using the input and output samples for each CISNET-CRC model. We selected ANN structures with corresponding hyperparameters (i.e., number of hidden layers, nodes, activation functions, epochs, and optimizer) that minimize the predicted mean square error on the validation sample. We implemented the ANN emulators in a probabilistic programming language and calibrated the input parameters with Hamiltonian Monte Carlo–based algorithms to obtain the joint posterior distributions of the CISNET-CRC models' parameters. We internally validated each calibrated emulator by comparing the model-predicted posterior outputs against the calibration targets. Results: The optimal ANN for SimCRC had 4 hidden layers and 360 hidden nodes, MISCAN-Colon had 4 hidden layers and 114 hidden nodes, and CRC-SPIN had 1 hidden layer and 140 hidden nodes. The total time for training and calibrating the emulators was 7.3, 4.0, and 0.66 h for SimCRC, MISCAN-Colon, and CRC-SPIN, respectively. The mean of the model-predicted outputs fell within the 95% confidence intervals of the calibration targets in 98 of 110 for SimCRC, 65 of 93 for MISCAN, and 31 of 41 targets for CRC-SPIN. Conclusions: Using ANN emulators is a practical solution to reduce the computational burden and complexity for Bayesian calibration of individual-level simulation models used for policy analysis, such as the CISNET CRC models. In this work, we present a step-by-step guide to constructing emulators for calibrating 3 realistic CRC individual-level models using a Bayesian approach. Highlights: We use artificial neural networks (ANNs) to build emulators that surrogate complex individual-based models to reduce the computational burden in the Bayesian calibration process. ANNs showed good performance in emulating the CISNET-CRC microsimulation models, despite having many input parameters and outputs. Using ANN emulators is a practical solution to reduce the computational burden and complexity for Bayesian calibration of individual-level simulation models used for policy analysis. This work aims to support health decision scientists who want to quantify the uncertainty of calibrated parameters of computationally intensive simulation models under a Bayesian framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the possible gender gap among contemporary artists in important career-related outcomes: representation by prestigious galleries, access to museum exhibitions, and selection for museum collections. Using a sample of 959 artists, created by random sampling from a catalog of represented artists and merged with public data on demographic, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds, we conduct a quantitative analysis on differences in artist outcomes by gender and education. We find that female artists have lower rates of gallery representation and museum exhibitions and collections, regardless of education. While having a Master of Fine Arts from highly ranked art schools results in better outcomes, the gender gap exists across educational quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was conducted to estimate the additional objective and perceived workload of nurses resulting from the use of webcams. The successful implementation of webcam technology into routine care requires an analysis to prevent adverse events of increased nursing workload. Methods: The study took place on three neonatal wards in two University Hospitals in Germany. In the first Hospital, the study was conducted from February to July 2021; in the second one it was conducted between June and November 2021. Data were collected using a combined approach of a standardised diary questionnaire study and passive observations. The participants were accompanied in their daily work and their activities were recorded 65 nurses participated. Results: 2,031 h were observed in 1,630 observation blocks. In 14.74% of the observation blocks webcam activities were detected. The extent to which the nurses had webcam-related additional workloads was rated as no additional workload in 82.16% of the daily questionnaires (n = 1,026). Conclusion: The observed low workload due to the webcams is in line with the nurses' perception. The observational data revealed, on a number of different analysis levels, that a limited additional workload was generated. There was no decrease in activity performance observed and no clear indication for interruptions due to the webcam-related activities for the nurses. However, it is important to raise awareness about the individual workload levels for the successful implementation. Additional education programs can be provided for nurses. Trial registration: The Neo-CamCare study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register. DRKS-ID: DRKS00017755. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]