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Purpose: Prospective physical education teachers (PPETs) acquire beliefs during acculturation, which is the time before teacher education begins. Beliefs are based on shared experiences and influential in PPETs' professional development. We examined German PPETs' shared beliefs through the lens of teaching quality, comprising classroom management, student support, and cognitive activation. Method: Three focus group discussions were conducted, in which 13 German PPETs were instructed to work on shared lesson planning. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: The PPETs believed that physical education should enable students' participation in sports. Therefore, classroom management was reflected as "managing a physical education class as a prerequisite for the complexity of teaching." Student support was reflected as "providing easy access to sports for all students." Cognitive activation was reflected as "disregarding cognitive activation in favor of transmissive teaching." The PPETs drew on their own physical education experiences as former students. Conclusion: Longitudinal studies focusing on cognitive activation are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remimazolam is a novel ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine gaining attention for its rapid onset, predictable pharmacokinetics, and favorable safety profile in adult procedural sedation and anesthesia. Early pediatric data suggest it may offer significant advantages over traditional sedatives, including enhanced predictability, improved safety, and faster recovery times. Despite these promising attributes, its routine use in pediatric populations remains underexplored and unestablished. This narrative review examines remimazolam’s pharmacological properties, including its mechanism of action, metabolism, and elimination, and evaluates its safety and efficacy in pediatric sedation. Potential clinical applications are highlighted, such as procedural sedation, intensive care, and anesthesia induction, with comparisons to conventional agents. While initial studies suggest benefits, critical gaps remain in understanding its use in children. These include age-specific dosing strategies, long-term safety considerations, and its efficacy in children with comorbid conditions or undergoing complex procedures. Addressing these gaps will require robust clinical trials and large-scale observational studies. This review synthesizes current evidence and explores the potential of remimazolam to enhance pediatric sedation and anesthesia practices. By identifying key knowledge gaps and proposing future research directions, it aims to inform clinicians and researchers about the role of remimazolam in improving safety and outcomes in pediatric anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Siblings of children with chronic health conditions (SCCHCs) often experience stressful situations and are at increased risk for mental health problems. This study aimed to identify coping behaviours that may have positive effects on mental health among SCCHCs. Such information can be used to inform preventive programs. Method: 81 children aged 6–16 years and their caregivers were recruited from SCCHC support service providers across Germany. The study applied a cross-sectional design. Self-reported coping behaviours and quality of life were recorded. Correlation analysis was followed by cluster analysis. Results: Minimisation, situation control, positive self-instructions, and the need for social support showed a positive correlation with quality of life. Cluster analysis identified two behavioural patterns: high coping (37%) and low coping (63%). Interestingly, both patterns demonstrated no significant difference in terms of quality of life. Follow-up analyses indicated that adopting at least one coping behaviour (as opposed to none) was associated with an improved quality of life. Discussion: Interventions promoting problem-focused coping are recommended for preventing mental health problems in SCCHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Complex in vitro respiratory models, including air-liquid interface (ALI) transwell cultures and airway organoids, have emerged as promising tools for studying human respiratory virus infections. These models address several limitations of conventional two-dimensional cell line and animal models. However, the lack of standardized protocols for the application of these models in infection studies limits the possibilities for comparing results across different research groups. Therefore, we applied a collaborative approach to harmonize several aspects of experimental methodology between different research laboratories, aiming to assess the comparability of different models of human airway epithelium in the context of respiratory viral infections. Methods: In this study, we compared three different models of human respiratory epithelium: a primary human bronchial epithelial cell-derived ALI transwell model, and two airway organoid models established from human airway- and lung-derived adult stem cells. We first assessed the presence of various differentiated cell types using immunofluorescence microscopy. Using a shared stock of influenza A virus, we then assessed viral growth kinetics, epithelial cytokine responses, and serum-mediated inhibition of infection. Results: The presence of club, goblet, and ciliated cells was confirmed in all models. We observed similar viral replication kinetics with a >4-log increase in virus titre across all models using a TCID50 assay. Following infection, a reproducible antiviral cytokine response, including a consistent increase in CXCL10, IL-6, IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2/3, and IFN-β, was detected across all models. Finally, neutralization was assessed by pre-incubation of virus with human serum. Reduced viral replication was observed across all models, resulting in a 3- to 6-log decrease in virus titres as quantified by TCID50. Discussion: In conclusion, all three models produced consistent results regardless of the varying cell sources, culturing approaches, and infection methods. Our collaborative efforts to harmonize infection experiments and compare ALI transwell and airway organoid models described here aid in advancing our understanding and improving the standardization of these complex in vitro respiratory models for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores PROTACs for NLRP3, the key player in innate immunity. We utilised a thiophene analogue of the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 and employed CuAAC chemistry for the assembly of PROTACs bearing various linkers and recruiting three different E3 ligases. Compounds were evaluated in bidirectional thermal stability studies with NLRP3 and E3 ligases. IL-1β release and protein abundance of NLRP3 were assessed in cellular assays. PROTAC V2 induces a significant VHL-dependent degradation of NLRP3 and constitutes a valuable tool to decipher the intricate details of the NLRP3 inflammasome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing a mastectomy often have the option to undergo breast reconstruction (BR). BR decisions are complex and have considerable impact. We developed a patient decision aid (pDA) to support patients' BR decision-making. Here, we assess patients' and physicians' use of the BR pDA and their views on the barriers and facilitators for widespread implementation. Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire, and back-end data of the pDA was analyzed. Results: Of 116 eligible patients, 113 patients accessed the BR pDA (median age: 50 years and 50% were highly educated. Most patients (72%) were satisfied with the pDA and 74% would recommend the BR pDA to other women facing the same choice. Patients' preferences regarding how much, what kind and how to present information varied. Plastic surgeons (N = 22; 71% response) were satisfied with the pDA. Their key factors for implementation included the perceived match between information and clinical practice, costs, impact on patients, and support from peers and management for the tool. Conclusions: As the BR pDA was highly valued by its end users, the identified factors for implementation should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibody drug conjugates (ADC) are a promising class of oncology therapeutics consisting of an antibody conjugated to a payload via a linker. DYP688 is a novel ADC comprising of a signaling protein inhibitor payload (FR900359) that undergoes unique on-antibody inactivation in plasma, resulting in complex pharmacology. To assess the impact of FR inactivation on DYP688 pharmacology and clinical developability, we performed translational modeling of preclinical PK and tumor growth inhibition (TGI) data, accompanied by mechanistic Krogh cylinder tumor modeling. Using a PK-TGI model, we identified a composite exposure-above-tumorostatic concentration (AUCTSC) metric as the PK-driver of efficacy. To underpin the mechanisms behind AUCTSC as the driver of efficacy, we performed quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) modeling of DYP688 intratumoral pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Through exploratory simulations, we show that by deviating from canonical ADC design dogma, DYP688 has optimal FR900359 activity despite its transient inactivation. Finally, we performed the successful preclinical to clinical translation of DYP688 PK, including the payload inactivation kinetics, evidenced by good agreement of the predicted PK to the observed interim clinical PK. Overall, this work highlights early quantitative pharmacokinetics as a missing link in the ADC design-developability chasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autism spectrum disorder has been argued to involve impairments in domain-general predictive abilities. There is strong evidence that individuals with ASD have trouble navigating the dynamic world due to an inability to predict the outcomes of particular events. There is also evidence that this is apparent across the diagnostic criteria of ASD and common among correlates of ASD. However, the question remains as to whether this impairment in predictive abilities is domain-specific or domain-general, with little research investigating prediction in linguistic measures. Methods: The current study investigated whether individuals with ASD showed atypicalities in linguistic prediction using a cloze probability task. In Experiment 1, 33 individuals with ASD were compared to 64 typically developing individuals in an offline cloze task. Results: There was no significant effect of an ASD diagnosis on the cloze probability. However, individuals with higher levels of autistic traits were significantly more likely to produce lower-probability (non-modal) cloze responses. In Experiment 2, 19 individuals with ASD were compared to 22 typically developing individuals in a lab-based cloze task, in which we also measured the reaction times to begin speaking (i.e., voice onset time). The results showed that individuals with ASD had significantly slower reaction times (~200 ms) but, similarly to Experiment 1, did not show differences in the cloze probability of the responses produced. Conclusions: We conclude that individuals with ASD do show inefficiency in linguistic prediction, as well as indicating which ASD traits most strongly correlate with these inefficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Complicated type B Aortic dissection is a severe aortic pathology that requires treatment through thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). During TEVAR a stentgraft is deployed in the aortic lumen in order to restore blood flow. Due to the complicated pathology including an entry, a resulting dissection wall with potentially several re-entries, replicating this structure artificially has proven to be challenging thus far. Methods: We developed a 3d printed, patient-specific and perfused aortic dissection phantom with a flexible dissection flap and all major branching vessels. The model was segmented from CTA images and fabricated out of a flexible material to mimic aortic wall tissue. It was placed in a pulsatile hemodynamic flow loop. Hemodynamics were investigated through pressure and flow measurements and doppler ultrasound imaging. Surgeons performed a TEVAR intervention including stentgraft deployment under fluoroscopic guidance. Results: The flexible aortic dissection phantom was successfully incorporated in the hemodynamic flow loop, a systolic pressure of 112 mmHg and physiological flow of 4.05 L per minute was reached. Flow velocities were higher in true lumen with a up to 35.7 cm/s compared to the false lumen with a maximum of 13.3 cm/s, chaotic flow patterns were observed on main entry and reentry sights. A TEVAR procedure was successfully performed under fluoroscopy. The position of the stentgraft was confirmed using CTA imaging. Conclusions: This perfused in-vitro phantom allows for detailed investigation of the complex inner hemodynamics of aortic dissections on a patient-specific level and enables the simulation of TEVAR procedures in a real endovascular operating environment. Therefore, it could provide a dynamic platform for future surgical training and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fatty infiltration of skeletal muscle (Myosteatosis) is associated with increased frailty, decreased muscle and mobility function, which seems fairly prevalent in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of myosteatosis assessed by CT for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Materials and methods: This IRB-approved cohort study included patients with newly diagnosed MM who were treated at a single university hospital and received CT at baseline. Geriatric assessment was performed via International Myeloma Working Group frailty score and Revised Myeloma Comorbidity Index. Myosteatosis was determined through measurement of paravertebral muscle radiodensity. Statistical analyses included uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models and the Kaplan–Meier-method. Results: A total of 226 newly diagnosed MM patients (median age: 65 years [range: 29–89], 63% males, mean BMI: 25 [14–42]) were analyzed. The prevalence of myosteatosis was 51%. Muscle radiodensity was significantly decreased in individuals with International Staging System stage III vs. I (p < 0.001), indicating higher fatty muscle infiltration in patients with advanced disease. Both PFS and OS were significantly decreased in patients with myosteatosis (PFS: median 32.0 months (95% CI 20.5.5–42.2) vs. 66.4 months without myosteatosis (95% CI 42.5-not reached), p <.001); OS: median 58.6 (95% CI 51.3—90.2) vs. not reached, p <.001). Myosteatosis remained an independent predictor of OS in multivariable analyses (HR: 1.98; 95%-CI: 1.20–3.27). Conclusion: Myosteatosis seems fairly prevalent in patients with newly diagnosed MM and associated with impaired overall survival. Prospective clinical trials are required to better understand the role of myosteatosis in MM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of OUP - Orthopädische und Unfallchirurgische Praxis is the property of Deutscher Aerzte-Verlag GmbH 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.)

The effects on the measurement of water sorption and apparent diffusivity when using different flow rate values and different experimental setups, i.e., closed pan, open pan and hanging setup, have been studied in a series of Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) experiments on a spruce sample. The results confirm a concave exponential growth dependency between apparent diffusivity and flow rate and an effect from the setup used, with the hanging setup being optimal for conducting such experiments due to the exposure of both areas of the disk to the airflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects on the measurement of water sorption and apparent diffusivity when using different flow rate values and different experimental setups, i.e., closed pan, open pan and hanging setup, have been studied in a series of Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) experiments on a spruce sample. The results confirm a concave exponential growth dependency between apparent diffusivity and flow rate and an effect from the setup used, with the hanging setup being optimal for conducting such experiments due to the exposure of both areas of the disk to the airflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When producing load-bearing timber products with one-component polyurethane adhesives and certain wood species, e.g., beech or larch, primers can be used to obtain stronger and more durable bonds. The active chemicals of three existing primer systems, hydroxymethylated resorcinol formaldehyde (HMR), polysorbate 20 (PS20), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), were used to impregnate beech wood. Young’s modulus (E) in the radial direction was determined in tensile mode. A modified E can influence the deformation and stress distribution at the wood-glue interface. Compared to the untreated wood, the average E was reduced by 7% for the water-treated reference and the HMR treatment. With the PS20 treatment, the average E was reduced by 16%, compared to the untreated wood, and by 45% with the PEG treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classic political behavior studies assert that childhood socialization can contribute to later political orientations. But, as adults consider how to introduce children to politics, what shapes their decisions? We argue socialization is itself political with adults changing their socialization priorities in response to salient political events including social movements. Using Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests and race socialization as a case, we show the summer 2020 information environment coupled movement-consistent concepts of race with child-rearing guidance. A survey of white parents after the summer activism suggests that many—but especially Democrats and those near peaceful protest epicenters—prioritized new forms of race socialization. Further, nearly 2 years after the protests' height, priming BLM changes support for race-related curricular materials among white Americans. Our work casts political socialization in a new light, reviving an old literature, and has implications for when today's children become tomorrow's voters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate preoperative mapping is crucial for maximizing tumor removal while minimizing damage to critical brain functions during brain tumor surgery. Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are established methods for assessing motor and language function. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review analyzes the reliability, clinical utility, and accessibility of these techniques. A total of 128 studies (48 nTMS, 56 fMRI, 24 MEG) were identified from various databases. The analysis finds nTMS to be a safe, standardized method with high accuracy compared to direct cortical stimulation for preoperative motor mapping. Combining nTMS with tractography allows for preoperative assessment of short-term and long-term motor deficits, which may not be possible with fMRI. fMRI data interpretation requires careful consideration of co-activated, non-essential areas (potentially leading to false positives) and situations where neural activity and blood flow are uncoupled (potentially leading to false negatives). These limitations restrict fMRI's role in preoperative planning for both motor and language functions. While MEG offers high accuracy in motor mapping, its high cost and technical complexity contribute to the limited number of available studies. Studies comparing preoperative language mapping techniques with direct cortical stimulation show significant variability across all methods, highlighting the need for larger, multicenter studies for validation. Repetitive nTMS speech mapping offers valuable negative predictive value, allowing clinicians to evaluate whether a patient should undergo awake or asleep surgery. Language function monitoring heavily relies on the specific expertise and experience available at each center, making it challenging to establish general recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical motion analysis plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of mobility-limiting diseases. Within this assessment, relative (point-to-point) tracking of extremities could benefit from increased accuracy. Given the limitations of current wearable sensor technology, supplementary spatial data such as distance estimates could provide added value. Therefore, we propose a distributed magnetic tracking system based on early-stage demonstrators of novel magnetoelectric (ME) sensors. The system consists of two body-worn magnetic actuators and four ME sensor arrays (body-worn and fixed). It is enabled by a comprehensive signal processing framework with sensor-specific signal enhancement and a gradient descent-based system calibration. As a pilot study, we evaluated the technical feasibility of the described system for motion tracking in general (Scenario A) and for operation during treadmill walking (Scenario B). At distances of up to 60 cm, we achieved a mean absolute distance error of 0.4 cm during gait experiments. Our results show that the modular system is capable of centimeter-level motion tracking of the lower extremities during treadmill walking and should therefore be investigated for clinical gait parameter assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematological disease predominantly affecting elderly patients. The complexity of current treatment necessitates individualized approaches. Therein, functional assessment (FA) tools, such as the Revised Comorbidity Index (R-MCI) at our University- and Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, play a crucial role. This study aimed to determine (a) the implementation of the R-MCI in our MM-tumor board (MM-TB), (b) its impact on treatment guidance at baseline and (c) potential changes during follow-up. This exploratory study investigated R-MCI coverage and distribution in a cohort of patients with multiple TB presentations. Among them, a follow-up patient cohort undergoing subsequent MM-therapy was analyzed to determine treatment adjustments and changes in patients' condition measured by R-MCI alterations. During our 3-year assessment period, 565 patients were presented in our MM-TB, totaling 1256 TB-presentations. In the multiple TB presentation cohort, the median number of TB presentations was 3 (range: 2–12). R-MCI scores within the MM-TB were available in 94%, whereas in 6%, the R-MCI had not been integrated. Among these, potential failure to identify the need for treatment modifications was determined. In the follow-up cohort, patient characteristics were typical for referral/university centers. Dose reductions were performed in 55% and were more prevalent among patients with ≥ 4 vs. lesser TB presentations. Most patients (55%) showed a fitness stabilization or improvement via follow-up R-MCI. R-MCI integration in MM-TB exceeded > 90%, indicating its successful integration for treatment support. Our results underscore its value in guiding therapy decisions, providing a comprehensive assessment beyond age considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus, mothers either cooperatively breed plurally with kin or breed solitarily. We describe the first observations of cooperative and solitary mobbing to defend offspring by wild cooperative breeding gray mouse lemur mothers in Kirindy Forest, Western Madagascar. We observed four groups of cooperatively breeding mothers and their offspring daily between 18:00 and 04:00 from January 1 to 15, 2023. Cooperative mobbing was observed twice, and solitary mobbing by a single cooperative breeding mother was observed once. There was one Malagasy tree boa, Sanzinia madagascariensis, per mobbing event. Mothers solitarily mobbed by directly approaching within 1 m of the boa, walking and changing distance while within 1 m of the boa. In addition to the solitary mobbing behaviors, cooperatively mobbing mothers approached the boa together from the same or different directions or alternated, and they gathered around the boa. Mothers collaborated in the context of offspring defense from predators and performed different complementary tasks: mobbing while another provided alloparental care by guarding the offspring of the association, that is, babysitting. Mothers performed similar mobbing behaviors and occasionally synchronized in time or coordinate in time and in space to approach from different directions and gather around the boa. Mothers did not come in contact with the boas during mobbing but kept a distance of at least 20 cm. On two mobbing events, the boa rose up with its head facing the mobbing mothers and climbed down the tree after the mobbing. Cooperative mobbing to defend offspring likely evolved by kin selection but reciprocity and an interaction between kin selection and reciprocity cannot be ruled out, since gray mouse lemur mothers cooperatively breed with kin and basically allonurse reciprocally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is widely used in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. HDCT/ASCT is associated with increased morbidity in elderly/unfit patients. We retrospectively evaluated the use of reduced intensity conditioning in DLBCL patients. Our study included 146 patients aged 60 years and older treated at our institution between 2005 and 2019; 86 patients received standard intensity conditioning (SI group) with BEAM or TEAM (BCNU or thiotepa, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan). Sixty patients received reduced intensity high‐dose conditioning (RI group) with BM (BCNU, melphalan, 43.3%), TM (thiotepa, melphalan, 16.7%), BCNU or busulfan thiotepa (38.4%), or bendamustine melphalan (1.7%). Median follow‐up was 62.4 months. We observed comparable toxicities in the SI and RI groups. The cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years was higher in the RI group (30.8% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.034). There was no difference in nonrelapse mortality (NRM). In univariate analyses, SI vs. RI conditioning resulted in superior progression‐free survival (PFS) (HR 1.80 CI 1.11–2.92, p = 0.017) but not in superior overall survival (OS) (HR 1.48 CI 0.86–2.56, p = 0.152). On multivariate analysis, we observed no difference in PFS (HR 0.74 CI 0.40–1.38, p = 0.345) and a trend toward better OS with RI conditioning (HR 0.45 CI 0.22–0.94, p = 0.032). Age 60–69 versus ≥ 70 years and remission prior to ASCT were the only factors predicting better PFS. Factors associated with better OS were RI conditioning, age 60–69 versus ≥ 70 years, ECOG 0 versus ≥ 1 performance status, bulky disease, and prior lines 1 versus ≥ 2. In conclusion, RI conditioning prior to ASCT may be feasible in elderly patients and led to a comparable outcome when corrected for several significant confounders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study had two research objectives. The first was to examine age-related differences in the fluency of speech outputs, as prior research contains conflicting findings concerning whether older adults produce more disfluency than younger adults. The second was to examine cognitive individual differences, and their relationship with the production of disfluency. One hundred and fifty-four adults completed a story re-telling task, and a battery of cognitive measures. Results showed that younger adults produced more um's and fewer repetitions. For individual differences, results showed that inhibition and set shifting were related to the production of repetitions, and inhibition and working memory were related to uh production. Our results provide clarification about mixed findings with respect age and disfluency production. The individual differences provide clarification on theoretical arguments for disfluent speech in aging (e.g. Inhibition Deficit Hypothesis), and also sheds light on the role of executive functions in models of language production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Insect Conservation & Diversity 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.)

Introduction: Risk prediction models (RPMs) are statistical tools that predict outcomes on the basis of clinical characteristics and can thereby support (shared) decision-making. With the shift toward personalized medicine, the number of RPMs has increased exponentially, including in multimodal sarcoma care. However, their integration into routine soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) care remains largely unknown. Therefore, we inventoried RPM use in sarcoma care during tumor board discussions and patient consultations as well as the attitudes toward the use of RPMs to support (shared) decision-making among STS clinicians. Materials and Methods: A 29-item survey was disseminated online to members of international sarcoma societies. Results: This study enrolled 278 respondents. Respectively, 68% and 65% of the clinicians reported using RPMs during tumor board discussions and/or patient consultations. During tumor board discussions, RPMs were used primarily to assess the potential benefits of (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. During patient consultations, RPMs were used to predict patient prognosis upon request and to assist in decision-making regarding (neo)adjuvant therapies. The reliability of patient risk predicted by RPMs and the absence of guidelines regarding the use of RPMs were identified as barriers. Additionally, some clinicians questioned the applicability of estimates from RPMs to individual patients and expressed concerns about causing unnecessary anxiety when discussing prognostic outcomes. Conclusions: Responding STS clinicians frequently use RPMs to support decision-making about (neo)adjuvant therapies. However, they expressed concerns about the applicability of RPM estimates to individual patients and reported challenges in communicating prognostic outcomes with patients. These findings highlight the difficulties clinicians face when integrating RPMs into patient consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS, EC 2.2.1.6) catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of the branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine, pathways being present in plants and microorganisms, but not in animals. Thus, AHAS is an important target for numerous herbicides and, more recently, for the development of antimicrobial agents. The need to develop new and optimized herbicides and pharmaceuticals requires a detailed understanding of the biochemistry of AHAS. AHAS transfers an activated two-carbon moiety derived from pyruvate to either pyruvate or 2-oxobutyrate as acceptor substrates, forming 2-acetolactate or 2-acetohydroxy-2-butyrate, respectively. Various methods have been described in the literature to biochemically characterize AHAS with respect to substrate preferences, substrate specificity, or kinetic parameters. However, the simultaneous detection and quantification of substrates and unstable products of the AHAS-catalyzed reaction have always been a challenge. Using AHAS isoform II from Escherichia coli, we have developed a sensitive assay for AHAS-catalyzed reactions that uses derivatization with ethyl chloroformate to stabilize and volatilize all reactants in the aqueous solution and detect them by gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection or mass spectrometry. This assay allows us to characterize the product formation in reactions in single and dual substrate reactions and the substrate specificity of AHAS, and to reinterpret previous biochemical observations. This assay is not limited to the AHAS-catalyzed reactions, but should be applicable to studies of many metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The microbiome greatly affects health and wellbeing. Evolutionarily, it is doubtful that a host would rely on chance alone to pass on microbial colonization to its offspring. However, the literature currently offers only limited evidence regarding two alternative hypotheses: active microbial shaping by host genetic factors or transmission of a microbial maternal legacy. Results: To further dissect the influence of host genetics and maternal inheritance, we collected two-cell stage embryos from two representative wild types, C57BL6/J and BALB/c, and transferred a mixture of both genotype embryos into hybrid recipient mice to be inoculated by an identical microbiome at birth. Conclusions: Observing the offspring for six generations unequivocally emphasizes the impact of host genetic factors over maternal legacy in constant environments, akin to murine laboratory experiments. Interestingly, maternal legacy solely controlled the microbiome in the first offspring generation. However, current evidence supporting maternal legacy has not extended beyond this initial generation, resolving the aforementioned debate. BvkFmArGExF4DhB6h6D8wq Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Therapies for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have substantially improved within recent years. There are some MM patients that are very young and fit (≤50 years), yet heavily affected by this life-changing condition. For these patients, the outcomes, i.e., progression-free survival and overall survival, remain unsatisfactory with a rather unchanged impact on age-adjusted morbidity. A look into the literature for "MM" and "young age" resulted in ambiguous conclusions. Therefore, we decided to analyze the clinical parameters of younger MM patients to possibly identify additional risk factors indicating worse outcomes. Additionally, we compared our study with the published literature of the last decade. Background/Objectives: In recent years, there have been significant advances in the understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Despite this progress, there is still limited information on the disease in patients aged 50 or younger, including the impact of young age on disease characteristics, treatment, and outcome. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 68 newly diagnosed MM patients aged ≤ 50 years (y) who had undergone at least one peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Additionally, we reviewed data published during 2008–2022 and compared these to our cohort. Results: Of note, the disease characteristics in our cohort were similar to those in older patients. However, the incidence of bone lesions was higher in younger patients (84%). Moreover, 33% had LC-only MM and 7% had high-risk (del17p, t(14;16), t(4;14)) cytogenetics. Advanced ISS and R-ISS II/III were observed in 57% and 78%, respectively. Therapy was intense, with 53% of patients undergoing ≥2 SCTs. Median follow-up was 75 months, median progression-free survival was 57 months, and median overall survival (OS) was not reached. The 10-year OS rate was 72%, with only 19% succumbing to the disease. Notably, no specific therapeutic regimen or risk factors for worse outcomes were identified through uni- or bivariate analyses, even in subgroup analyses of younger patients aged ≤ 40 y. Conclusions: Our, and prior, results of young (<50 y) and very young (<40 y) MM patients underscore the need for further comprehensive studies focused on this significantly affected cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies hold significant promise in the realm of molecular medicine. By precisely targeting RNA molecules, ASOs offer an approach to modulate gene expression and protein production, making them valuable tools for treating a wide range of genetic and acquired diseases. As the precise intracellular targeting and delivery of ASOs is challenging, strategies for preparing ASO‐ligand conjugates are in exceedingly high demand. This work leverages the utility of native chemical ligation to conjugate ASOs with therapeutically relevant chemical modifications including locked nucleic acids and phosphorothioate backbone modifications to peptides and sugars via a stable amide linkage. A suite of post‐ligation functionalizations through modification of the cysteine ligation handle are highlighted, including chemoselective radical desulfurization, lipidation, and alkylation with a range of valuable handles (e.g. alkyne, biotin, and radionuclide chelating ligands), affording multifunctional constructs for further applications in biology and medicine. Application of the methodology to a clinically‐relevant triantennary‐GalNAc ASO conjugate and validation of its binding and functional activity underpins the applicability of the technique to oligonucleotide‐based therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Effect of a Speaking Valve on Nasal Airflow During Tracheostomy Weaning: A Case Series" published in Neurocritical Care explores the impact of using a speaking valve during tracheostomy weaning in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). The study compares the effects of cuff deflation alone versus cuff deflation with a speaking valve on upper airway airflow, swallowing, and respiratory workload. Results suggest that a speaking valve with a deflated cuff facilitates nasal respiratory airflow without engaging accessory respiratory muscles, potentially aiding in swallowing rehabilitation. However, the study acknowledges limitations due to a small sample size and calls for further research to confirm these findings. [Extracted from the article]

Venetoclax is a first in class BCL-2 inhibitor, currently under investigation for the treatment of t(11;14) multiple myeloma (MM). The objective of this analysis was to characterize the exposure-efficacy and exposure-safety relationships of venetoclax when combined with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (VenKd) in t(11;14)-positive relapsed or refractory (R/R) MM patients from a phase 2 study. Fifty-seven patients receiving VenKd or Kd were included in the analysis. Efficacy endpoints included progression-free survival and clinical response rates of overall response, very good partial response or better and complete response or better. Grade ≥ 3 neutropenia, Grade ≥ 3 infections, Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events and any grade serious treatment-emergent adverse events were evaluated. The analysis demonstrated that adding venetoclax to Kd resulted in increased ORR, ≥VGPR and ≥ CR rates compared to the control arm. Within the venetoclax treatment arms (VenKd), no significant exposure-efficacy relationships were observed for ORR and ≥ VGPR rates. Higher ≥ CR rates trended with higher venetoclax exposures. While both 400 mg and 800 mg venetoclax in VenKd arms were generally tolerated, higher rates of Grade ≥ 3 neutropenia were observed with higher venetoclax exposures. Higher venetoclax exposures however were not associated with increased rates of Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events, Grade ≥ 3 infections, or serious treatment-emergent adverse events (any grade). These results confirm the benefit of adding venetoclax to carfilzomib and dexamethasone and support continued evaluation of venetoclax 400–800 mg once daily in this combination in t(11;14)-positive R/R MM patients. NCT02899052 registered April 18, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the influence of (impaired) neurodevelopment on cognitive aging. We here used a mouse model for tuberous sclerosis (TS) carrying a heterozygous deletion of the Tsc2 gene. Loss of Tsc2 function leads to mTOR hyperactivity in mice and patients. In a longitudinal behavioral analysis, we found premature decline of hippocampus‐based cognitive functions together with a significant reduction of immediate early gene (IEG) expression. While we did not detect any morphological changes of hippocampal projections and synaptic contacts, molecular markers of neurodegeneration were increased and the mTOR signaling cascade was downregulated in hippocampal synaptosomes. Injection of IGF2, a molecule that induces mTOR signaling, could fully rescue cognitive impairment and IEG expression in aging Tsc2+/− animals. This data suggests that TS is an exhausting disease that causes erosion of the mTOR pathway over time and IGF2 is a promising avenue for treating age‐related degeneration in mTORopathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listening is necessary for effective learning. Unfortunately, outside of comprehension tasks, listening is rarely emphasized as a key component of classroom instruction. This study considers a specific type of listening, sacrificial listening, theorized to help to bridge cultural, political, and religious divides by emphasizing understanding and unfamiliar voices. In this qualitative, arts-based research study, found poetry is used to investigate preservice teachers (PST) understandings of sacrificial listening as a pedagogical tool, including their consideration of its key components and applications to practice in the elementary classroom. While PST do appear to understand the power of sacrificial listening in reducing misunderstandings between unfamiliar voices, findings from this study also confirm what is already known about teacher education: there is an explicit need for teacher educators to intentionally work with PST on how to take an abstract theory and apply it to practice in concrete ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies hold significant promise in the realm of molecular medicine. By precisely targeting RNA molecules, ASOs offer an approach to modulate gene expression and protein production, making them valuable tools for treating a wide range of genetic and acquired diseases. As the precise intracellular targeting and delivery of ASOs is challenging, strategies for preparing ASO‐ligand conjugates are in exceedingly high demand. This work leverages the utility of native chemical ligation to conjugate ASOs with therapeutically relevant chemical modifications including locked nucleic acids and phosphorothioate backbone modifications to peptides and sugars via a stable amide linkage. A suite of post‐ligation functionalizations through modification of the cysteine ligation handle are highlighted, including chemoselective radical desulfurization, lipidation, and alkylation with a range of valuable handles (e.g. alkyne, biotin, and radionuclide chelating ligands), affording multifunctional constructs for further applications in biology and medicine. Application of the methodology to a clinically‐relevant triantennary‐GalNAc ASO conjugate and validation of its binding and functional activity underpins the applicability of the technique to oligonucleotide‐based therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) can identify targets beyond standard of care, potentially revolutionizing personalized cancer management. However, conducting well designed studies in this rapidly evolving field is complex and demands time and investments. Consequently, the total added value of CGP remains uncertain. Clinical benefit and costs often are driving factors in coverage decisions. Recently, five additional factors were identified in the literature that can influence the choice for targeted profiling vs. CGP, specifically: "feasibility", "test journey patient/physician", "wider implications of diagnostic results", "organization of laboratories", and "scientific spillover". The objective of the current study is to examine the role and importance assigned to these five additional factors for a comprehensive technology assessment by different stakeholders. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to identify respondents from 4 stakeholder groups (i.e., medical specialists, molecular specialists, patient representatives, and policymakers) from different regions and hospital types (academic vs. non-academic) in the Netherlands. In semi-structured interviews, respondents scored the importance to decision-making of the five factors on a 0 (not important) to 5 (essential) scale. Reasoning behind the scores were elicited using open-ended follow-up questions. Transcripts were independently double-coded by two researchers using thematic analysis. Results: Nineteen stakeholders (100% response rate; medical specialists (n = 7), molecular specialists (n = 7), patient representatives (n = 2), and policymakers (n = 3)) were interviewed. We observed differences between stakeholders in the relative importance assigned to the factors (range of median importance scores: 2–5). Overall, "wider implications of diagnostic results", primarily CGP's potential to identify additional treatment options, was deemed the most important factor alongside clinical benefit and costs in decision-making about CGP (median range: 3–5). While the "organization of laboratories" was considered less important (median range: 3–4), opposing arguments and preferences regarding the organization of laboratories were identified, with participants from academic centers preferring a centralized approach whilst non-academics preferred a decentralized approach. Conclusions: Stakeholders deemed "wider implications of diagnostic results", "feasibility", and "test journey" the most important considerations for decision-making about targeted profiling vs. CGP alongside clinical benefit and costs. For policy decision-making, it is important to understand the arguments behind the heterogeneous opinions, often related to the setting they originate from. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The general use of triclosan-coated suture material (TCSM) for wound closure to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) remains controversial. There is no conclusive evidence in the literature to support this and recommendations by professional organizations are contradictory. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to evaluate the 30-day rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) after elective open abdominal surgery using triclosan-coated versus uncoated running sutures (NCSM) for skin closure. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study enrolled patients scheduled for open elective abdominal surgery, intraoperatively assigned to either the use of triclosan-coated or non-coated sutures for skin closure. The follow up was 30 days after surgery to detect SSIs. Secondary endpoints were wound dehiscence and reoperation rate due to wound dehiscence within 30 days, all-cause 30-day mortality and length of hospital stay. Potential risk factors for poor wound healing were evaluated in multivariate analysis. Data were analyzed in an intention to treat analysis. Results: In total, 364 patients (171 males [47%]) were randomized, 182 in either group. Six underwent urgent reoperation prior to first visit and were excluded from analysis. In the full analysis set (FAS), 358 were analyzed. SSI within 30 days occurred in 22 [12.2%] patients in the control group compared to 32 [18%] in the study group. The risk difference was not statistically significant (5.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.6–13.2%; p = 0.128). The wound dehiscence rate within 30 days was 14 of 179 [7.8%] in the NCSM group vs. 19 of 178 [10.7%] in the TCSM group. The difference in re-operation rates due to wound dehiscence was 0 of 179 [2.8%] vs. 5 of 178 [2.8%] in either group and not statistically significant (p = 0.0706). Among all patients recruited, 8 died within 30 days after surgery. Three of them died before the first assessment of the primary endpoint on day 3 and were therefore excluded from the FAS. The 30-day mortality rate was 2 of 180 [1.1%] in the NCSM group vs. 3 of 178 [1.7%] in the TCSM group. The majority of SSIs occurred in the superficial layer of the wound in both study groups (8.9% vs. 9.6%). The median [inter quartile range (IQR)] length of hospital stay was 13 [9.0, 19.2] days in the NCSM group vs. 11 [9.0, 16.8] days in the TCSM group There was a tendency towards shorter hospitalization in the study group (0.72 days [6%]). Conclusions: Our prospective randomized controlled trial could not confirm the superiority of TCSM for skin closure after elective open abdominal surgery in terms of SSI rates in a 30-day follow up period. Therefore, based on our results, a general recommendation for its use in all surgical fields cannot be justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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.)

Despite the historical tendency toward proportioning and spacing braces based on rules of thumb, modern specification guidance stipulates that cross-frame design be supported with a rational analysis, which is commonly aided by computer software. While cross-frame research has advanced over the last 30 years, the relatively vague nature of specification language related to rational analysis is still utilized and often misunderstood by engineers leading to uneconomical chase-your-tail design solutions—particularly related to the fatigue limit state. To improve the design specifications and economy, an extensive analytical parametric study was conducted to quantitatively investigate the sensitivity of load-induced cross-frame response in varying bridge geometries. The study included multiple three-dimensional analyses on 4,104 unique steel I-girder bridges. Among other observations, the results demonstrated that load-induced cross-frame forces are generally higher in heavily skewed systems. From these studies, two primary recommendations are proposed to improve specification guidance on fatigue design of cross-frames. First, designers can avoid overly conservative and iterative designs by utilizing staggered and/or discontinuous cross-frame configurations, thereby alleviating force demands in heavily skewed systems. Second, the study concluded that refined analyses are not warranted in straight bridges with little to no support skew since cross-frame force magnitudes are generally not significant. Geometric limits based on skew and connectivity indexes are proposed to serve as the delineation between when a refined analysis is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled human infection models (CHIMs) are a critical tool for the understanding of infectious disease progression, characterising immune responses to infection and rapid assessment of vaccines or drug treatments. There is increasing interest in using CHIMs for vaccine development and an obvious need for widely available and fit‐for‐purpose challenge agents. Inno4Vac is a large European consortium working towards accelerating and de‐risking the development of new vaccines, including the development of CHIMs for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and Clostridioides difficile. This report (in two parts) summarises a workshop held at the MHRA in 2021, focused on how to select CHIM candidate strains of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) based on desirable virus characteristics and which immune assays would provide relevant information for assessing pre‐existing and post‐infection immune responses and defining correlates of protection. This manuscript (Part 1) summarises presentations and discussions centred around influenza CHIMs and immune assays (a second manuscript summarises RSV CHIM and immune assays: Inno4Vac workshop report Part 2: RSV CHIM strain selection and immune assays for RSV CHIM studies, November 2021, MHRA, UK). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential influence of circadian rhythm, seasonal variations, and alterations in meteorological parameters has been studied across various vascular events. However, there is a lack of evidence on the potential chronobiological impacts on thromboembolic events related to the most common peripheral aneurysm, the popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA). Data was obtained from a German PAA registry and the German Meteorological Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst). In this observational cohort study seasonality and chronobiology as well as associations with meteorological parameters of symptomatic PAA were investigated. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was further analyzed whether meteorological parameters could distinguish asymptomatic from symptomatic patients in the registry. Of 1200 registered PAA, n = 142 PAA presented with acute limb ischemia between February 2011 and September 2022. More symptomatic patients (57.0%) presented to the hospital between January and June than in the second half of the year with a nadir in the fall season. Symptom onset was predominantly in the morning hours (39.5%). Atmospheric pressure and humidity values from the index dates diverged from a normal distribution showing a bimodal ("double-peak") configuration. Most patients developed symptoms after a reduction in temperatures compared to 1 or 2 d prior to the index date. However, we found evidence for an interaction between age and temperature difference, where the effects of a decreasing temperature fade with increasing age. Facing the complexity of individual-environment interactions, further investigations are needed to determine whether meteorological parameters are true risk modifiers or surrogates for seasonal differences and altered behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Resective surgery is a potential therapeutic option for select patients with intractable focal epilepsy. However, the presence of ictal onset zones within or surrounding highly functional brain areas presents a surgical challenge, leading to poor seizure and functional outcomes. This report describes our experiences with awake mapping-tailored resection of epileptogenic areas involving eloquent cortices and evaluates their feasibility, tolerance, limitations, and significance. Methods: The study included patients who underwent surgery for drug-resistant focal epilepsy at our center under awake conditions. The surgical approach aimed to achieve maximum resection of preoperatively defined epileptogenic zones, considering the boundaries defined by surrounding functional areas. We collected data on preoperative evaluations, intraoperative tests and seizures, postoperative status epilepticus, and neurological functional outcomes. Results: We included 22 patients, 10 of whom had non-lesional epilepsy. Language, motor function, and sensory function were at risk in 19, 9, and 4 patients, respectively. Resection was performed as planned in 14 (63.6%) patients, while modifications were necessary in 8 (36.4%) patients due to functional constraints. The mean follow-up duration was 29.8 months. Sixteen (72.7%) patients achieved Engel class Ia outcomes, indicating seizure freedom, while none of the patients experienced clinically significant permanent postoperative neurological deficits. Significance: Resective surgery with intraoperative brain mapping under awake conditions was a valid treatment option for achieving a cure in cases of drug-resistant focal epilepsy, even in situations in which the condition is considered inoperable due to the risk of significant postoperative neurological deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the challenges in surgery of tumors in motor eloquent areas is the individual risk assessment for postoperative motor disorder. Previously a regression model was developed that permits estimation of the risk prior to surgery based on topographical and neurophysiological data derived from investigation with nTMS (navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). This study aims to analyze the impact of including additional neurophysiological TMS parameters into the established risk stratification model for motor outcome after brain tumor surgery. Methods: Biometric and clinical data of 170 patients with glioma in motor eloquent areas were collected prospectively. In addition, the following nTMS parameters were collected bihemispherically prior to surgery: resting motor threshold (RMT), recruitment curve (RC), cortical silent period (CSP) and a nTMS based fibertracking to measure the tumor tract distance (TTD). Motor function was quantified by Medical Research Council Scale (MRCS) preoperatively, seven days and three months postoperatively. Association between nTMS parameters and postoperative motor outcome was investigated in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results: The bivariate analysis confirmed the association of RMT ratio with the postoperative motor outcome after seven days with higher rates of worsening in patients with RMT ratio > 1.1 compared to patients with RMT ratio ≤ 1.1 (31.6% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.009). Similarly, an association between a pathological CSP ratio and a higher risk of new postoperative motor deficits after seven days was observed (35.3% vs. 16.7% worsening, p = 0.025). A pathological RC Ratio was associated postoperative deterioration of motor function after three months (42.9% vs. 16.2% worsening, p = 0.004). In multiple regression analysis, none of these associations were statistically robust. Conclusions: The current results suggest that the RC ratio, CSP ratio and RMT ratio individually are sensitive markers associated with the motor outcome 7 days and 3 months after tumor resection in a presumed motor eloquent location. They can therefore supply valuable information during preoperative risk–benefit-balancing. However, underlying neurophysiological mechanisms might be too similar to make the parameters meaningful in a combined model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In addition to the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infections, those with Influenza A/B and RSV have reappeared in 2022/23. To compare the development of prevalence, clinical outcomes and risk factors, we analysed data of the season 2023/24 from the same region/hospital as for 2022/23. Methods: Patients covering the whole age range with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, RSV were included from the internal, neurological and paediatric units of the RoMed hospital Rosenheim, Germany/Bavaria, from August 1st 2023 to 29th February 2024. Results: Of 932 patients included, 912 showed single infections with SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A or RSV (47.9% female, median age 68.0 years; 52.9% SARS-CoV-2, 23.2% Influenza A, 21.8% RSV). Co-infections (2.0%) and Influenza B (0.1%) were negligible. In patients of age ≥ 18 years (n = 628, 68.5% SARS-CoV-2, 26.0% Influenza A, 5.6% RSV), patients with Influenza A were younger compared to SARS-CoV-2 (p < 0.001), with RSV similar to SARS-CoV-2. Heart failure and asthma were the most prevalent comorbidities for RSV, immunosuppression for Influenza A. Admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occurred in 111 patients (17.0% of SARS-CoV-2, 17.2% Influenza A, 28.6% RSV), and 59 patients died (8.8% SARS-CoV-2, 8.6% Influenza A, 20.0% RSV). Low-flow oxygen supplementation and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) were most frequent for RSV (68.6% and 20.0%, respectively), oxygen demand upon admission for Influenza A (39.3%), without differences in high-flow oxygen supply or length of hospital stay. Among patients aged < 18 years (n = 284, 21.4% SARS-CoV-2, 18.0% Influenza A, 57.1% RSV), 15 were admitted to ICU (4.8% SARS-CoV-2, 3.8% Influenza A, 6.0% RSV); none of them died. Oxygen supply via high-flow, low-flow or upon admission was highest for RSV (23.8%, 70.2%, 21.4%, respectively), as well as the length of hospital stay. Conclusion: Between 8/2023 to 2/2024, a large population of patients hospitalized due to respiratory tract infection, showed relative contributions of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A or RSV similar to those in 2022/23. The findings underline that in both, adults and children, RSV posed a relatively higher clinical risk than Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2, though absolute numbers remained highest for SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psychotherapie im Alter is the property of Psychosozial-Verlag 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.)

Since the 1970s, economists have regularly documented that women tend to underperform otherwise comparable men in introductory economics courses. Hypotheses as to why this finding is so persistent often target economists' pedagogical practices. In this paper, we leverage the changes forced by the COVID‐19 pandemic to explore several hypotheses. Leveraging a sample of more than 3000 students enrolled in introductory micro‐ and introductory macroeconomics across seven semesters, we examine the interaction between gender and course modality, returns to effort, and the composition of the final grade. We find the size of the gender performance gap, as measured by course grade, fluctuated significantly across pre‐, during, and post‐pandemic semesters. We conclude this variation is not explained by course modality or student effort measures; instead, we argue that assessment strategy may drive much of the gender gap. This suggests the de‐emphasis of multiple‐choice exams in grade composition may go a significant way to closing the gender gap in introductory economics performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Magneto‐ionics, as the electrochemical reconfiguration of magnetic materials at low gating voltages, is a highly energy‐efficient alternative to control magnetism. For the fastest magneto‐ionic concept based on hydrogen, fundamental mechanisms are currently under debate, mainly because quantitative compositional information inside the magnetic materials upon gating is lacking. Using the electrochemical hydrogen loading of Co/Pd multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy, this study demonstrates that the hydrogen concentration inside the magnetic material determines its magnetic properties. Hydrogen concentrations up to a maximum of (0.24 ± 0.01) hydrogen atoms per metal atom can be set deterministically by voltage and are quantified via flow‐cell coulometry. With increasing hydrogen concentration, a continuous increase in coercivity of up to 15% and a decrease in magnetic domain‐wall velocity by an order of magnitude are observed using in situ MOKE microscopy. This enables the voltage‐controlled stop‐and‐go of domain walls. These magneto‐ionic effects can be explained by an increasing perpendicular anisotropy with increasing hydrogen content in Co/Pd multilayers, which is supported by theory. Importantly, the approach should be transferable to other ionic systems, such as lithium‐ or oxygen‐based ones, where it can uncover the yet hidden effects of ionic concentration on the magnetic properties and guide the design of functional magneto‐ionic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]