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Background:The development of a hybrid beta-cell replacement approach, referred to as a personalized, transplantable bioartificial pancreas (BAP), holds promise to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D). This interview study aimed to explore patients' expectations, needs, concerns, and considerations when considering to undergo a BAP transplantation. Research Design and Methods. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 participants diagnosed with T1D. Data collection stopped once data saturation was reached. Audio recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim. The interviews were independently analyzed by 2 researchers. A qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach was used. Results: Three main themes emerged as follow: (1) hoped-for benefits, (2) concerns and decision-making considerations, and (3) procedural aspects. First, the participants expected benefits across medical, psychological, and social domains. Over these 3 domains, 9 subthemes were identified, including improved clinical outcomes, a cure for diabetes, more headspace, emotional relief, a shift in responsibility, protection of privacy, improved flexibility in daily life, less visible diseases, and improved relationships with others. Second, concerns and considerations about undergoing a BAP transplant comprised adverse events, the functionality of the BAP, the surgery procedure, the biological materials used, the transplant location, and the intrusiveness associated with follow-up care. Finally, procedural considerations included equitable access, patient prioritization, and trust and control. Conclusions: Incorporating insights from this study into the clinical development and implementation of the BAP is crucial to ensure alignment of the product and procedures with the needs and expectations of people with T1D.

Abstract: A knowledge of the complex phenomena that regulate T1 signal on Magnetic Resonance Imaging is essential in clinical practice for a more effective characterization of pathological processes. The authors review the physical basis of T1 Relaxation Time and the fundamental aspects of physics and chemistry that can influence this parameter. The main substances (water, fat, macromolecules, methemoglobin, melanin, Gadolinium, calcium) that influence T1 and the different MRI acquisition techniques that can be applied to enhance their presence in diagnostic images are then evaluated. An extensive case illustration of the different phenomena and techniques in the areas of CNS, abdomino-pelvic, and osteoarticular pathology is also proposed. Critical relevance statement: T1 relaxation time is strongly influenced by numerous factors related to tissue characteristics and the presence in the context of the lesions of some specific substances. An examination of these phenomena with extensive MRI exemplification is reported. Key Points: The purpose of the paper is to illustrate the chemical-physical basis of T1 Relaxation Time. MRI methods in accordance with the various clinical indications are listed. Several examples of clinical application in abdominopelvic and CNS pathology are reported. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

Objectives: To compare dual-energy CT (DECT) and MRI for assessing presence and extent of traumatic bone marrow edema (BME) and fracture line depiction in acute vertebral fractures. Methods: Eighty-eight consecutive patients who underwent dual-source DECT and 3-T MRI of the spine were retrospectively analyzed. Five radiologists assessed all vertebrae for presence and extent of BME and for identification of acute fracture lines on MRI and, after 12 weeks, on DECT series. Additionally, image quality, image noise, and diagnostic confidence for overall diagnosis of acute vertebral fracture were assessed. Quantitative analysis of CT numbers was performed by a sixth radiologist. Two radiologists analyzed MRI and grayscale DECT series to define the reference standard. Results: For assessing BME presence and extent, DECT showed high sensitivity (89% and 84%, respectively) and specificity (98% in both), and similarly high diagnostic confidence compared to MRI (2.30 vs. 2.32; range 0–3) for the detection of BME (p = .72). For evaluating acute fracture lines, MRI achieved high specificity (95%), moderate sensitivity (76%), and a significantly lower diagnostic confidence compared to DECT (2.42 vs. 2.62, range 0–3) (p < .001). A cutoff value of − 0.43 HU provided a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 90% for diagnosing BME, with an overall AUC of 0.96. Conclusions: DECT and MRI provide high diagnostic confidence and image quality for assessing acute vertebral fractures. While DECT achieved high overall diagnostic accuracy in the analysis of BME presence and extent, MRI provided moderate sensitivity and lower confidence for evaluating fracture lines.

The aim of this study was to examine how institutional barriers arising from policy decisions influence the level of participation of third- party countries in European Framework Programs (EU-FPs). To achieve this, we contrasted the effect of EU funding restrictions following Switzerland’s 2014 reclassification as a “third country” in Horizon 2020, and the political uncertainties resulting from the 2016 Brexit vote in the United Kingdom (UK). We compared the participation patterns of Swiss and UK higher education institutions (HEIs) with control groups of similar European HEIs over time and, complementarily, analyzed changes in the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our results showed that the Brexit-induced uncertainty had stronger negative effects than the Swiss reclassification, which was, however, characterized by effective EU funding restrictions. In both cases, the negative impact of institutional barriers was stronger for the more central HEIs in EU-FP networks. These results suggest that the effect of institutional barriers is closely linked to consortium building mechanisms, where research collaboration requires stability and projection over the long term. Regarding individual grants, the impact was stronger for Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions than for European Research Council grants, suggesting that a researcher’s mobility is affected by political uncertainties. Finally, in the UK case, we observed a steep decrease in the participation of SMEs. Based on these results, we suggest that a stable framework of participation and a clear ruling on relationships with the EU for what concerns people’s mobility and economic relationships are key to fostering the participation of third-party countries.

Background: Bone age (BA) assessment performed by artificial intelligence (AI) is of growing interest due to improved accuracy, precision and time efficiency in daily routine. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of a novel AI software version for automated BA assessment in comparison to the Greulich-Pyle method. Methods: Radiographs of 514 patients were analysed in this retrospective study. Total BA was assessed independently by three blinded radiologists applying the GP method and by the AI software. Overall and gender-specific BA assessment results, as well as reading times of both approaches, were compared, while the reference BA was defined by two blinded experienced paediatric radiologists in consensus by application of the Greulich-Pyle method. Results: Mean absolute deviation (MAD) and root mean square deviation (RSMD) were significantly lower between AI-derived BA and reference BA (MAD 0.34 years, RSMD 0.38 years) than between reader-calculated BA and reference BA (MAD 0.79 years, RSMD 0.89 years; p < 0.001). The correlation between AI-derived BA and reference BA (r = 0.99) was significantly higher than between reader-calculated BA and reference BA (r = 0.90; p < 0.001). No statistical difference was found in reader agreement and correlation analyses regarding gender (p = 0.241). Mean reading times were reduced by 87% using the AI system. Conclusions: A novel AI software enabled highly accurate automated BA assessment. It may improve efficiency in clinical routine by reducing reading times without compromising the accuracy compared with the Greulich-Pyle method.

This paper treats of Husserl's phenomenology of happiness or eudaimonia in five parts. In the first part, we argue that phenomenology of happiness is an important albeit relatively neglected area of research, and we show that Husserl engages in it. In the second part, we examine the relationship between phenomenological ethics and virtue ethics. In the third part, we identify and clarify essential aspects of Husserl's phenomenology of happiness, namely, the nature of the question concerning happiness and the possibility of a phenomenological answer, the power of the will, the role of vocation, the place of obligation, the significance of habituation, the necessity of self-reflection and self-criticism, the importance of sociability and solidarity, the impact of chance and destiny, and the specter of regret. In the fourth part, we establish the inextricable linkage between Husserl's metaethics and his metaphysics. In the fifth part, we provide a provisional exploration of his conception of the connection between happiness and blessedness. We acknowledge that there is an extensive literature on Husserl's phenomenological ethics, and our study has benefitted greatly from it, but we also suggest that our holistic approach critically clarifies his description of happiness, virtue, and blessedness by fully recognizing that his phenomenological metaethics is embedded in his phenomenological metaphysics.

This paper treats of Husserl's phenomenology of happiness or eudaimonia in five parts. In the first part, we argue that phenomenology of happiness is an important albeit relatively neglected area of research, and we show that Husserl engages in it. In the second part, we examine the relationship between phenomenological ethics and virtue ethics. In the third part, we identify and clarify essential aspects of Husserl's phenomenology of happiness, namely, the nature of the question concerning happiness and the possibility of a phenomenological answer, the power of the will, the role of vocation, the place of obligation, the significance of habituation, the necessity of self-reflection and self-criticism, the importance of sociability and solidarity, the impact of chance and destiny, and the specter of regret. In the fourth part, we establish the inextricable linkage between Husserl's metaethics and his metaphysics. In the fifth part, we provide a provisional exploration of his conception of the connection between happiness and blessedness. We acknowledge that there is an extensive literature on Husserl's phenomenological ethics, and our study has benefitted greatly from it, but we also suggest that our holistic approach critically clarifies his description of happiness, virtue, and blessedness by fully recognizing that his phenomenological metaethics is embedded in his phenomenological metaphysics.

Husserl's phenomenology of imagination embraces a cluster of different theories and approaches regarding the multi-faced phenomenon of imaginative experience. In this paper I consider one aspect that seems to be crucial to the understanding of a particular form of imagination that Husserl names pure phantasy. I argue that the phenomenon of Ego-splitting discloses the best way to elucidate the peculiarity of pure phantasy with respect to other forms of representative acts (such as remembering) and to any simple form of act modification (such as neutrality modification). First, I unravel the phenomenological distinctions which, respectively, oppose phantasy to perception, on the one hand, and phantasy to other forms of the so-called intuitive re-presentations. Second, I introduce the difference between presentative and representative acts, arguing that this cannot help us to single out the defining feature of phantasy experiences. The third section draws again an important distinction between pure phantasy and neutrality modification, which allows me to finally determine an internal trait of phantasy experiences, which Husserl refers to as the Ego-splitting (Ichspaltung). In this way, I hope to contribute to a refined characterization of Husserl's phenomenology of imagination.

Husserl's phenomenology of imagination embraces a cluster of different theories and approaches regarding the multi-faced phenomenon of imaginative experience. In this paper I consider one aspect that seems to be crucial to the understanding of a particular form of imagination that Husserl names pure phantasy. I argue that the phenomenon of Ego-splitting discloses the best way to elucidate the peculiarity of pure phantasy with respect to other forms of representative acts (such as remembering) and to any simple form of act modification (such as neutrality modification). First, I unravel the phenomenological distinctions which, respectively, oppose phantasy to perception, on the one hand, and phantasy to other forms of the so-called intuitive re-presentations. Second, I introduce the difference between presentative and representative acts, arguing that this cannot help us to single out the defining feature of phantasy experiences. The third section draws again an important distinction between pure phantasy and neutrality modification, which allows me to finally determine an internal trait of phantasy experiences, which Husserl refers to as the Ego-splitting (Ichspaltung). In this way, I hope to contribute to a refined characterization of Husserl's phenomenology of imagination.

[EN] Mass-customization of wearable products are offered as a higher added value to the broad public and have to compete with ready-to-wear offer. However, people with specific requirements are not covered by the current mass-customised products. This is the case of the elderly, disabled, diabetic and obese population groups when wearing textiles, clothing, footwear and textile-based orthotic goods. Further, at present, available knowledge and flexibility of production equipment and machinery of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in these traditional industries (even those that already offer made-to-measure products to the mass public) is unable to respond to the individual needs among such heterogeneous groups. The FASHION-ABLE project has solved this problem with a comprehensive set of solutions.

[EN] Mass-customization of wearable products are offered as a higher added value to the broad public and have to compete with ready-to-wear offer. However, people with specific requirements are not covered by the current mass-customised products. This is the case of the elderly, disabled, diabetic and obese population groups when wearing textiles, clothing, footwear and textile-based orthotic goods. Further, at present, available knowledge and flexibility of production equipment and machinery of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in these traditional industries (even those that already offer made-to-measure products to the mass public) is unable to respond to the individual needs among such heterogeneous groups. The FASHION-ABLE project has solved this problem with a comprehensive set of solutions.

Der vorliegende Aufsatz behandelt zwei Bereiche, deren Zusammenhang in der aktuellen Husserlforschung zu Unrecht in Vergessenheit geraten zu sein scheint: Zum einen konturiere ich den Habitusbegriff und das damit verbundene Problem der Habituskonstitution im Spatwerk E. Husserls. Zum anderen dient das Ergebnis dieser ersten Untersuchung dann als Grundlage fur die Frage nach dem Wesen des Ich in der genetischen Phanomenologie. Die Untersuchung besteht (nach einer kurzen Einleitung) aus drei Teilen: Zuerst stelle ich, um die Bedeutung des Begriffs aEuroHabitus zu klaren, Ingardens Interpretationsalternativen der Habituskonstitution vor. Im Anschluss daran werde ich mich mit dem sogenannten aEurotranszendentalen Okkasionalismus befassen, der eine der zuvor vorgestellten Alternativen Ingardens aufgreift und weiterfuhrt. Der aEurotranszendentale Okkasionalismus vertritt die These, dass die habituellen Eigenschaften des Ich durch den einfachen Vollzug der Akte entstunden. Weil diese These als Interpretation des Habitusbegriffs bei Husserl weit verbreitet ist, muss sie als Losungsansatz in Erwagung gezogen werden. Jedoch zeigt eine genaue Lekture der Forschungsmanuskripte Husserls, dass dieser scheinbare Losungsansatz einen dort wichtigen Begriff auer Acht lasst: die aEuroGeschichte des Ich. Diese wird im dritten und letzten Teil dieses Aufsatzes naher betrachtet und erlautert. Husserl selbst hob namlich einen wesenhaften Zusammenhang zwischen den mannigfaltigen Erfahrungen des Ich hervor, durch den die Bezeichnung der Habituskonstitution als aEuroOkkasionalismus nicht zutreffend sein kann. Aus diesem Grund geht dieser Beitrag uber die reine Wiedergabe der Habitusproblematik in Husserls Phanomenologie hinaus und beschreibt eine Auffassung der transzendentalen Subjektivitat, die aus dem Spatwerk Husserls stammt.

Der vorliegende Aufsatz behandelt zwei Bereiche, deren Zusammenhang in der aktuellen Husserlforschung zu Unrecht in Vergessenheit geraten zu sein scheint: Zum einen konturiere ich den Habitusbegriff und das damit verbundene Problem der Habituskonstitution im Spatwerk E. Husserls. Zum anderen dient das Ergebnis dieser ersten Untersuchung dann als Grundlage fur die Frage nach dem Wesen des Ich in der genetischen Phanomenologie. Die Untersuchung besteht (nach einer kurzen Einleitung) aus drei Teilen: Zuerst stelle ich, um die Bedeutung des Begriffs aEuroHabitus zu klaren, Ingardens Interpretationsalternativen der Habituskonstitution vor. Im Anschluss daran werde ich mich mit dem sogenannten aEurotranszendentalen Okkasionalismus befassen, der eine der zuvor vorgestellten Alternativen Ingardens aufgreift und weiterfuhrt. Der aEurotranszendentale Okkasionalismus vertritt die These, dass die habituellen Eigenschaften des Ich durch den einfachen Vollzug der Akte entstunden. Weil diese These als Interpretation des Habitusbegriffs bei Husserl weit verbreitet ist, muss sie als Losungsansatz in Erwagung gezogen werden. Jedoch zeigt eine genaue Lekture der Forschungsmanuskripte Husserls, dass dieser scheinbare Losungsansatz einen dort wichtigen Begriff auer Acht lasst: die aEuroGeschichte des Ich. Diese wird im dritten und letzten Teil dieses Aufsatzes naher betrachtet und erlautert. Husserl selbst hob namlich einen wesenhaften Zusammenhang zwischen den mannigfaltigen Erfahrungen des Ich hervor, durch den die Bezeichnung der Habituskonstitution als aEuroOkkasionalismus nicht zutreffend sein kann. Aus diesem Grund geht dieser Beitrag uber die reine Wiedergabe der Habitusproblematik in Husserls Phanomenologie hinaus und beschreibt eine Auffassung der transzendentalen Subjektivitat, die aus dem Spatwerk Husserls stammt.

In this paper I investigate the relationship between the philosophies of Edmund Husserl and Richard Avenarius. Despite this topic has been almost disregarded by Husserlian scholars, it is of uttermost importance if one aims at illuminating the origins of Husserl's phenomenological thinking. My thesis is that Husserl's concept of natural attitude and its correlate, the natural world (Umwelt) –as they emerge in various lectures during the 1910s and especially in Ideen I with respect to the phenomenological reduction– stem from an early confrontation with the empiriocritic standpoint of Avenarius as laid out in his book Der menschliche Weltbegriff. In order to up-hold this claim, I will discuss in my paper Husserl's gradual approach to the theories of the Swiss-German philosopher as well as his late critique of the same. Although Husserl in fact conceived of Avenarius’ standpoint as a valuable beginning, he was decisively prompted in his late reflections to call into question some of the premises of the empirocritic philosophy., En este artículo queremos investigar la relación entre las filosofías de Edmund Husserl y Richard Avenarius. A pesar de que este tema ha sido prácticamente ignorando por los estudiosos de Husserl, es de suma importancia si uno quiere iluminar los orígenes del pensamiento fenomenológico de Husserl. Nuestra tesis es que el concepto de Husserl de actitud natural y su correlato, el mundo natural (Umwelt) –tal y como ellos surgen en diferen-tes conferencias durante la década de 1910 y especialmente en Ideas I con respecto a la reducción fenomenológica– se derivan de una temprana confrontación con el punto de vista del empiriocriticismo de Avenarius tal y como fue expuesto en su libro Der menschliche Weltbegriff. Con el fin de mantener esta afirmación, discutiremos el acercamiento gradual de Husserl a las teorías del filósofo suizo-alemano así como su última crítica al mismo. Aunque, de hecho, Husserl concibió el punto de vista de Avenaius como un principio valioso, al final de sus reflexiones pone en cuestión algu-nas de las premisas de la filosofía empirocriticista.

In this paper I investigate the relationship between the philosophies of Edmund Husserl and Richard Avenarius. Despite this topic has been almost disregarded by Husserlian scholars, it is of uttermost importance if one aims at illuminating the origins of Husserl's phenomenological thinking. My thesis is that Husserl's concept of natural attitude and its correlate, the natural world (Umwelt) - as they emerge in various lectures during the 1910s and especially in Ideen I with respect to the phenomenological reduction stem from an early confrontation with Avenarius' empiriocriticist standpoint as laid out in his book Der menschliche Weltbegrift. In order to uphold this claim, I will discuss in my paper Husserl's gradual approach to the theories of the Swiss-German philosopher as well as his late critique of the same. Although Husserl in fact conceived of Avenarius' standpoint as a valuable beginning, he was decisively prompted in his late reflections to call into question some of the premises of the empi rio-criticist philosophy.

In this paper I investigate the relationship between the philosophies of Edmund Husserl and Richard Avenarius. Despite this topic has been almost disregarded by Husserlian scholars, it is of uttermost importance if one aims at illuminating the origins of Husserl's phenomenological thinking. My thesis is that Husserl's concept of natural attitude and its correlate, the natural world (Umwelt) - as they emerge in various lectures during the 1910s and especially in Ideen I with respect to the phenomenological reduction stem from an early confrontation with Avenarius' empiriocriticist standpoint as laid out in his book Der menschliche Weltbegrift. In order to uphold this claim, I will discuss in my paper Husserl's gradual approach to the theories of the Swiss-German philosopher as well as his late critique of the same. Although Husserl in fact conceived of Avenarius' standpoint as a valuable beginning, he was decisively prompted in his late reflections to call into question some of the premises of the empi rio-criticist philosophy.

Thanks to the Brexit deal, it is likely that UK researchers will gain access to the Horizon Europe programme and EU research funding. Will this suffice for UK higher education institutions to return to pre-Brexit participation levels, asks Marco Cavallaro (University of Lugano)?

The aim of this study was to examine how institutional barriers arising from policy decisions influence the level of participation of third- party countries in European Framework Programs (EU-FPs). To achieve this, we contrasted the effect of EU funding restrictions following Switzerland’s 2014 reclassification as a “third country” in Horizon 2020, and the political uncertainties resulting from the 2016 Brexit vote in the United Kingdom (UK). We compared the participation patterns of Swiss and UK higher education institutions (HEIs) with control groups of similar European HEIs over time and, complementarily, analyzed changes in the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our results showed that the Brexit-induced uncertainty had stronger negative effects than the Swiss reclassification, which was, however, characterized by effective EU funding restrictions. In both cases, the negative impact of institutional barriers was stronger for the more central HEIs in EU-FP networks. These results suggest that the effect of institutional barriers is closely linked to consortium building mechanisms, where research collaboration requires stability and projection over the long term. Regarding individual grants, the impact was stronger for Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions than for European Research Council grants, suggesting that a researcher’s mobility is affected by political uncertainties. Finally, in the UK case, we observed a steep decrease in the participation of SMEs. Based on these results, we suggest that a stable framework of participation and a clear ruling on relationships with the EU for what concerns people’s mobility and economic relationships are key to fostering the participation of third-party countries.