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As renewable energies need to be extended massively, new concepts are necessary to prevent land conflicts with other uses. Such concepts should have a high generality to offer a swift expansion of renewables anywhere. Within the project, the Photovoltaic Road Roofing Concept (PV-SÜD), a concept for the roofing of roadways with solar panels, was investigated. Its effects on the road infrastructure were analyzed, and a demonstrator was built. The technical boundary conditions and requirements resulting from the specific application type were determined regarding the photovoltaic technology, the possible energy generation, and the supporting structure. The study was completed for a technical solution of 10 m length, 17 m width, and 6.8 m height, with the option of a pent roof (highways running east–west) or gable roofs (highways running north–south). The main target aim was to investigate the potential for widespread use at any site, in contrast to previous studies which mainly aimed at a singular site or demonstrator project. The final solution can support a 38.5 kWp photovoltaic system with a specific annual yield of between 37.5 MWh and 44.0 MWh. The yield variation in sites in Austria and Germany was 14.7% and 17.9%, respectively. One demonstrator roofing was realized as a steel-frame construction with active glass–glass photovoltaic technology at a highway in Hegau (GE).

Biostimulants (Bio-effectors, BEs) comprise plant growth-promoting microorganisms and active natural substances that promote plant nutrient-acquisition, stress resilience, growth, crop quality and yield. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of BEs, particularly under field conditions, appears highly variable and poorly quantified. Using random model meta-analyses tools, we summarize the effects of 107 BE treatments on the performance of major crops, mainly conducted within the EU-funded project BIOFECTOR with a focus on phosphorus (P) nutrition, over five years. Our analyses comprised 94 controlled pot and 47 field experiments under different geoclimatic conditions, with variable stress levels across European countries and Israel. The results show an average growth/yield increase by 9.3% (n=945), with substantial differences between crops (tomato > maize > wheat) and growth conditions (controlled nursery + field (Seed germination and nursery under controlled conditions and young plants transplanted to the field) > controlled > field). Average crop growth responses were independent of BE type, P fertilizer type, soil pH and plant-available soil P (water-P, Olsen-P or Calcium acetate lactate-P). BE effectiveness profited from manure and other organic fertilizers, increasing soil pH and presence of abiotic stresses (cold, drought/heat or salinity). Systematic meta-studies based on published literature commonly face the inherent problem of publication bias where the most suspected form is the selective publication of statistically significant results. In this meta-analysis, however, the results obtained from all experiments within the project are included. Therefore, it is free of publication bias. In contrast to reviews of published literature, our unique study design is based on a common standardized protocol which applies to all experiments conducted within the project to reduce sources of variability. Based on data of crop growth, yield and P acquisition, we conclude that application of BEs can save fertilizer resources in the future, but the efficiency of BE application depends on cropping systems and environments.

Aims: To describe the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D), and incidence of comorbidities in addition to T1D, in adults over a 22-year period in Denmark and explore the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and the development of comorbidities. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on nationwide registry data to describe incidences of T1D and comorbidities in adults (≥21 years) from 1996 to 2018. People were followed from T1D diagnosis until a first event of interest, death, or end of follow-up, whichever came first. Cox proportional hazards models were used to quantify the associations between SES and development of comorbidities. Results: We included 7877 adults with T1D. Overall, the incidence of T1D decreased (411 in 1996 to 191 in 2018) while it increased for comorbidities in addition to T1D (< 3 to 38 and 10 to 53). Low education and income, compared to higher counterparts, increased the risks of comorbidity by 55 % (HR 1.55, 95 % CI 1.36–1.77) and 82 % (HR 1.82, 95 % CI 1.60–2.06), respectively. Conclusions: Low SES increases the risk of comorbidities in adults with T1D. This indicates that SES is an important factor to consider when aiming to prevent or predict development of comorbidities in adults with T1D.

As renewable energies need to be extended massively, new concepts are necessary to prevent land conflicts with other uses. Such concepts should have a high generality to offer a swift expansion of renewables anywhere. Within the project, the Photovoltaic Road Roofing Concept (PV-SÜD), a concept for the roofing of roadways with solar panels, was investigated. Its effects on the road infrastructure were analyzed, and a demonstrator was built. The technical boundary conditions and requirements resulting from the specific application type were determined regarding the photovoltaic technology, the possible energy generation, and the supporting structure. The study was completed for a technical solution of 10 m length, 17 m width, and 6.8 m height, with the option of a pent roof (highways running east–west) or gable roofs (highways running north–south). The main target aim was to investigate the potential for widespread use at any site, in contrast to previous studies which mainly aimed at a singular site or demonstrator project. The final solution can support a 38.5 kWp photovoltaic system with a specific annual yield of between 37.5 MWh and 44.0 MWh. The yield variation in sites in Austria and Germany was 14.7% and 17.9%, respectively. One demonstrator roofing was realized as a steel-frame construction with active glass–glass photovoltaic technology at a highway in Hegau (GE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The European Union Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 challenges key stakeholders to follow transparent and rigorous approaches to the clinical evaluation of medical devices. The purpose of this study is a systematic evaluation of published clinical evidence underlying selected high-risk cardiovascular medical devices before and after market access in the European Union (CE-marking) between 2000 and 2021. Methods Pre-specified strategies were applied to identify published studies of prospective design evaluating 71 high-risk cardiovascular devices in seven different classes (bioresorbable coronary scaffolds, left atrial appendage occlusion devices, transcatheter aortic valve implantation systems, transcatheter mitral valve repair/replacement systems, surgical aortic and mitral heart valves, leadless pacemakers, subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator). The search time span covered 20 years (2000–21). Details of study design, patient population, intervention(s), and primary outcome(s) were summarized and assessed with respect to timing of the corresponding CE-mark approval. Results At least one prospective clinical trial was identified for 70% (50/71) of the pre-specified devices. Overall, 473 reports of 308 prospectively designed studies (enrolling 97 886 individuals) were deemed eligible, including 81% (251/308) prospective non-randomized clinical trials (66 186 individuals) and 19% (57/308) randomized clinical trials (31 700 individuals). Pre-registration of the study protocol was available in 49% (150/308) studies, and 16% (48/308) had a peer-reviewed publicly available protocol. Device-related adverse events were evaluated in 82% (253/308) of studies. An outcome adjudication process was reported in 39% (120/308) of the studies. Sample size was larger for randomized in comparison to non-randomized trials (median of 304 vs. 100 individuals, P <.001). No randomized clinical trial published before CE-mark approval for any of the devices was identified. Non-randomized clinical trials were predominantly published after the corresponding CE-mark approval of the device under evaluation (89%, 224/251). Sample sizes were smaller for studies published before (median of 31 individuals) than after (median of 135 individuals) CE-mark approval (P <.001). Clinical trials with larger sample sizes (>50 individuals) and those with longer recruitment periods were more likely to be published after CE-mark approval, and were more frequent during the period 2016–21. Conclusions The quantity and quality of publicly available data from prospective clinical investigations across selected categories of cardiovascular devices, before and after CE approval during the period 2000–21, were deemed insufficient. The majority of studies was non-randomized, with increased risk of bias, and performed in small populations without provision of power calculations, and none of the reviewed devices had randomized trial results published prior to CE-mark certification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe hypersensitivity reaction characterized by cutaneous rash, lymphadenopathy, fever, eosinophilia, leukocytosis, and life-threatening organ dysfunctions. We describe the case of a 26 year old patient admitted to the Emergency Department for DRESS syndrome after sulfasalazine treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in the right knee. Whole body computer tomography showed multiple neck, chest, and abdominal lymphadenopathy with splenomegaly, massive ascites and severe hepatic cytolysis. Serology results for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), influenza, measles, rubella, hepatitis A and B were negative. The histologic analysis of skin, lymph node and bone marrow biopsies could not indicate a classical Hodgkin’s Disease or iatrogenic immunodeficiency/EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD), Hodgkin type. The relatively small caliber of the CD30 + immunoreactive blastoid cells in the lymph nodes suggested reactive immunoblasts rather than Hodgkin cells. The morphologic aspects of the lymph node biopsies with predominance of T-cells were compatible with the diagnosis of a sulfasalazine-induced DRESS syndrome as the patient had a high RegiSCAR score for DRESS. [DRESS Syndrome Foundation: Diagnosis and Treatment. (2023)] The patient’s complex clinical course, marked by two hospital admissions, highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing DRESS. This case underscores the need for individualized care, close patient monitoring, and further research to better understand DRESS’s underlying mechanisms and optimal therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Background The increasing care complexity of nursing home residents living with dementia requires new care models that strengthen professional collaboration. To contribute to the sustainable implementation of new care models, it is important that they are linked to the care reality. However, little is known about intra- and interprofessional organization and provision of care in German nursing homes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the current care situation, problems and strengths regarding intra- and interprofessional collaboration in the care of residents living with dementia. Methods We conducted a holistic multiple case study. The individual care units in which residents living with dementia are cared for were defined as cases. The context was built by the respective nursing homes and their regional affiliation to the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. We used qualitative face-to-face interviews, documents and context questionnaires for data collection. The different sources of evidence served to capture complementary perspectives and to validate the findings. First, the collected qualitative data were analyzed using deductive-inductive content analysis. Second, similarities and differences between the cases were identified to elaborate case-specific and cross-case patterns and themes. The reporting followed the EQUATOR reporting guideline for organizational case studies. Results We included four care units comprising 21 professionals (nurses, physicians, social worker, physiotherapist, pharmacist) and 14 relatives of residents living with dementia. The analysis revealed four categories to describe current intra- and interprofessional collaboration in all cases: actors and their roles, service delivery, coordination and governance, and communication channel. Moreover, we identified three categories that relate to the strengths and problems of intra- and interprofessional collaboration in all cases: role understanding, teamwork, and communication and exchange. Although we examined similar care units, we found differences in the realization of professional collaboration and resulting problems and strengths that are connected to the organizational contexts and strategies used. Conclusions Even though professional collaboration follows given patterns; these patterns do differ context-specifically and are perceived as problematic and fragmentary. Therefore, the identified differences and problems in collaboration need to be addressed in future research to develop and successfully implement tailored innovative care models.

Abstract Genomic surveillance (GS) programmes were crucial in identifying and quantifying the mutating patterns of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we develop a Bayesian framework to quantify the relative transmissibility of different variants tailored for regions with limited GS. We use it to study the relative transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Chile. Among the 3443 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected between January and June 2021, where sampling was designed to be representative, the Gamma (P.1), Lambda (C.37), Alpha (B.1.1.7), B.1.1.348, and B.1.1 lineages were predominant. We found that Lambda and Gamma variants’ reproduction numbers were 5% (95% CI: [1%, 14%]) and 16% (95% CI: [11%, 21%]) larger than Alpha’s, respectively. Besides, we observed a systematic mutation enrichment in the Spike gene for all circulating variants, which strongly correlated with variants’ transmissibility during the studied period (r = 0.93, p-value = 0.025). We also characterised the mutational signatures of local samples and their evolution over time and with the progress of vaccination, comparing them with those of samples collected in other regions worldwide. Altogether, our work provides a reliable method for quantifying variant transmissibility under subsampling and emphasises the importance of continuous genomic surveillance.

Abstract Background The prevalence of diabetes and coexisting multimorbidity rises worldwide. Treatment of this patient group can be complex. Providing an evidence-based, coherent, and patient-centred treatment of patients with multimorbidity poses a challenge in healthcare systems, which are typically designed to deliver disease-specific care. We propose an intervention comprising multidisciplinary team conferences (MDTs) to address this issue. The MDT consists of medical specialists in five different specialities meeting to discuss multimorbid diabetes patients. This protocol describes a feasibility test of MDTs designed to coordinate care and improve quality of life for people with diabetes and multimorbidity. Methods A mixed-methods one-arm feasibility test of the MDT. Feasibility will be assessed through prospectively collected data. We will explore patient perspectives through patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and assess the feasibility of electronic questionnaires. Feasibility outcomes are recruitment, PRO completion, technical difficulties, impact of MDT, and doctor preparation time. During 17 months, up to 112 participants will be recruited. We will report results narratively and by the use of descriptive statistics. The collected data will form the basis for a future large-scale randomised trial. Discussion A multidisciplinary approach focusing on better management of diabetic patients suffering from multimorbidity may improve functional status, quality of life, and health outcomes. Multimorbidity and diabetes are highly prevalent in our healthcare system, but we lack a solid evidence-based approach to patient-centred care for these patients. This study represents the initial steps towards building such evidence. The concept can be efficiency tested in a randomised setting, if found feasible to intervention providers and receivers. If not, we will have gained experience on how to manage diabetes and multimorbidity as well as organisational aspects, which together may generate hypotheses for research on how to handle multimorbidity in the future. Administrative information Protocol version: 01 Trial registration NCT05913726 — registration date: 21 June 2023

Abstract The emergence of alternative stable states in forest systems has significant implications for the functioning and structure of the terrestrial biosphere, yet empirical evidence remains scarce. Here, we combine global forest biodiversity observations and simulations to test for alternative stable states in the presence of evergreen and deciduous forest types. We reveal a bimodal distribution of forest leaf types across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere that cannot be explained by the environment alone, suggesting signatures of alternative forest states. Moreover, we empirically demonstrate the existence of positive feedbacks in tree growth, recruitment and mortality, with trees having 4–43% higher growth rates, 14–17% higher survival rates and 4–7 times higher recruitment rates when they are surrounded by trees of their own leaf type. Simulations show that the observed positive feedbacks are necessary and sufficient to generate alternative forest states, which also lead to dependency on history (hysteresis) during ecosystem transition from evergreen to deciduous forests and vice versa. We identify hotspots of bistable forest types in evergreen-deciduous ecotones, which are likely driven by soil-related positive feedbacks. These findings are integral to predicting the distribution of forest biomes, and aid to our understanding of biodiversity, carbon turnover, and terrestrial climate feedbacks.

Abstract Endothelial cells (ECs) are highly glycolytic, but whether they generate glycolytic intermediates via gluconeogenesis (GNG) in glucose-deprived conditions remains unknown. Here, we report that glucose-deprived ECs upregulate the GNG enzyme PCK2 and rely on a PCK2-dependent truncated GNG, whereby lactate and glutamine are used for the synthesis of lower glycolytic intermediates that enter the serine and glycerophospholipid biosynthesis pathways, which can play key roles in redox homeostasis and phospholipid synthesis, respectively. Unexpectedly, however, even in normal glucose conditions, and independent of its enzymatic activity, PCK2 silencing perturbs proteostasis, beyond its traditional GNG role. Indeed, PCK2-silenced ECs have an impaired unfolded protein response, leading to accumulation of misfolded proteins, which due to defective proteasomes and impaired autophagy, results in the accumulation of protein aggregates in lysosomes and EC demise. Ultimately, loss of PCK2 in ECs impaired vessel sprouting. This study identifies a role for PCK2 in proteostasis beyond GNG.

Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing demand for drug design approaches that incorporate a higher number of sp3-hybridized carbons, necessitating the development of innovative cross-coupling strategies to reliably introduce aliphatic fragments. Here, we present a powerful approach for the light-mediated B-alkyl Suzuki−Miyaura cross-coupling between alkyl boranes and aryl bromides. Alkyl boranes were easily generated via hydroboration from readily available alkenes, exhibiting excellent regioselectivity and enabling the selective transfer of a diverse range of primary alkyl fragments onto the arene ring under photocatalytic conditions. This methodology eliminates the need for expensive catalytic systems and sensitive organometallic compounds, operating efficiently at room temperature within just 30 min. We further demonstrate the translation of the present protocol to continuous-flow conditions, enhancing scalability, safety, and overall efficiency of the method. This versatile approach offers significant potential for accelerating drug discovery efforts by enabling the introduction of complex aliphatic fragments in a straightforward and reliable manner.

Biomechanical data collection was largely confined to controlled laboratory setups, relying on marker-based systems or force platforms. However, the emergence of wearable sensors and markerless motion capture has revolutionized this field, enabling data collection in real-world scenarios. This shift has also sparked interest in integrating machine learning (ML) into biomechanical workflows, promising to revolutionize data acquisition in field settings and refine data analysis (Halilaj et al., 2018). Figure 1 provides an overview of corresponding ML applications for key tasks in the biomechanical workflow. This commentary explores the transformative potential of ML in biomechanics, focusing on enhancing data collection and analysis in real-world environments. Pose estimation (a) is the process of automatically tracking and determining the body’s anatomical landmarks, body segments, or joint centre locations in video images using ML, enabling the quantification of human movement without marker and sensor attachments to the human body. Feature estimation (b) employs ML to predict complex biomechanical data, e.g. joint moments from more accessible data sources, including IMUs, pressure insoles, and RGB video cameras. Event detection (c) in time series data is the annotation of certain events that are used to extract useful and vital information or to remove unwanted and unnecessary data for further analysis. Clustering (d) involves grouping instances or individuals with similar biomechanical characteristics using unsupervised ML, thereby revealing underlying structures and subgroups within complex biomechanical data. Finally, automated classification (e) refers to the process of developing a predictive model that assigns input features of data samples to predefined categories or classes using supervised ML. Despite the advancements of ML in biomechanics, central challenges are faced. Estimation errors remain critically high depending on the task and application field, necessitating a careful reflection on data acquisition potentials. Furthermore, especially complex Deep Learning models, while showing promising performances, exhibit a lack of transparency in understanding their decision-making processes and the underlying patterns and rules learned from the data. This phenomenon, often termed as the black-box nature of these models, poses a considerable obstacle. In response, Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), a field that encompasses different explainability approaches to shed light on the inner workings of complex, non-linear ML models, has gained increasing attention in recent years (Slijepcevic et al., 2023). A further central challenge is the availability of data and annotations, which describes the limited availability or insufficiency of relevant and comprehensive datasets, as well as task-specific annotations, for conducting thorough analyses and research in biomechanics. The lack of large-scale benchmark datasets available restricts the widespread adoption of ML-based approaches in biomechanics. Privacy concerns present significant ethical and legal issues, e.g. with identifiable video data. Additionally, model validation remains a critical problem, as many studies fail to validate their models on diverse datasets, often relying on limited data from a single laboratory. Furthermore, there is a risk that the fundamental mechanical understanding of biomechanical processes might be overshadowed by an over-reliance on ML techniques. In conclusion, the integration of ML into biomechanics presents a transformative opportunity for understanding human movement by enabling and improving data collection and analysis in real-world settings. Challenges in data accessibility and methodological transparency necessitate collaborative efforts for future advancements. References Halilaj, E., Rajagopal, A., Fiterau, M., Hicks, J. L., Hastie, T. J., & Delp, S. L. (2018). Machine learning in human movement biomechanics: Best practices, common pitfalls, and new opportunities. Journal of Biomechanics, 81, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.09.009 Slijepcevic, D., Zeppelzauer, M., Unglaube, F., Kranzl, A., Breiteneder, C., & Horsak, B. (2023). Explainable machine learning in human gait analysis: A study on children with cerebral palsy. IEEE Access, 11, 65906-65923 https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3289986

In den letzten Jahren hat sich unterhalb von Rechtsprechung und Rechtsetzung ein Diskurs ausgebreitet, demzufolge die staatlich geförderte Zivilgesellschaft den gleichen Äußerungsregeln wie der Staat unterliegt. Da Gerichte sich zu solchen Neutralitätsanforderungen an die Zivilgesellschaft kaum geäußert haben, ist die Verunsicherung entsprechend groß. Doch der Äußerungsspielraum ist größer als vielfach angenommen. Eine verfassungsrechtliche Pflicht des Förderstaates, ihn zu beschränken, besteht in den meisten Fällen nicht.

O presente trabalho propõe refletir sobre como corpos festivos experimentam os bailes de modo peculiar possibilitando-nos visualizar relações de compartilhamento de saberes e trocas culturais baseadas na coletividade, no aspecto familiar construído na dimensão comunitária. Destaca-se, então, corpografias dançantes no baile de passinhos flashback, como lugar de construção de outras possibilidades estético-poéticas em dança, a partir de saberes periféricos. Empreende-se, assim, cruzamentos epistemológicos entre as experiências dançantes, narrativas de participantes e frequentadores dos bailes e perspectivas de coletividade a partir dos estudos de pessoas pesquisadoras como Michel de Certeau, Michel Maffesoli, Antonio Lafuente, dentre outras.

Microalgal growth-based tests are international standards for ecotoxicity assessment; however, their long exposure times, large sample volumes, and reliance on a single growth-endpoint make them inadequate for rapid toxicity screening. Here, we aimed to develop a rapid and simple ecotoxicological test using the fast-growing green alga Mychonastes afer, with multiple endpoints—growth, lipid content, and photosynthesis. We exposed M. afer to two metals—silver and copper—and two herbicides—atrazine and diuron—for 24 h and identified the most sensitive and reliable endpoints for each toxicant: the maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax) for Ag, Cu and atrazine, and the lipid content for diuron. Lipid content was found to be both a sensitive and reliable biomarker, meeting the effluent limit guidelines in both the Republic of Korea and the USA. The sensitivity of M. afer to Ag and atrazine also closely matched the HC5 values derived from the species sensitivity distribution approach, confirming its reliability for setting regulatory concentrations of these contaminants. Our calculated predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values were similar to established European Union PNECs for Ag, Cu, atrazine, and diuron, underlining the utility of these biological endpoints for ecological risk assessment and regulatory decision making. This method required lower sample volume (2 mL vs 100 mL) and exposure time (24 h vs 72–120 h) than conventional green algal tests, and eliminated the need for labour-intensive cell counting, expensive equipment, and chlorophyll fluorescence measurement expertise. Overall, this M. afer test can be a valuable tool for the rapid screening of wastewater for metals and herbicides, contributing to environmental protection and management practices.

Abstract Solution-based memristors deposited by inkjet printing technique have a strong technological potential based on their scalability, low cost, environmentally friendlier processing by being an efficient technique with minimal material waste. Indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO), an oxide semiconductor material, shows promising resistive switching properties. In this work, a printed Ag/IGZO/ITO memristor has been fabricated. The IGZO thickness influences both memory window and switching voltage of the devices. The devices show both volatile counter8wise (c8w) and non-volatile 8wise (8w) switching at low operating voltage. The 8w switching has a SET and RESET voltage lower than 2 V and − 5 V, respectively, a retention up to 105 s and a memory window up to 100, whereas the c8w switching shows volatile characteristics with a low threshold voltage (Vth

Abstract Site-specific recombinases such as the Cre-LoxP system are routinely used for genome engineering in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Importantly, recombinases complement the CRISPR-Cas toolbox and provide the additional benefit of high-efficiency DNA editing without generating toxic DNA double-strand breaks, allowing multiple recombination events at the same time. However, only a handful of independent, orthogonal recombination systems are available, limiting their use in more complex applications that require multiple specific recombination events, such as metabolic engineering and genetic circuits. To address this shortcoming, we develop 63 symmetrical LoxP variants and test 1192 pairwise combinations to determine their cross-reactivity and specificity upon Cre activation. Ultimately, we establish a set of 16 orthogonal LoxPsym variants and demonstrate their use for multiplexed genome engineering in both prokaryotes (E. coli) and eukaryotes (S. cerevisiae and Z. mays). Together, this work yields a significant expansion of the Cre-LoxP toolbox for genome editing, metabolic engineering and other controlled recombination events, and provides insights into the Cre-LoxP recombination process.

Abstract Background Communication between patients and healthcare providers, and effective interprofessional communication, are essential to the provision of high-quality care. Implementing a patient-centred approach may lead to patients experiencing a sense of comfort, validation, and active participation in own healthcare. However, home-dwelling older adults’ perspectives on interprofessional communication (IPC) are lacking. The aim is therefore to explore how home-dwelling older adults experience communication in connection with the delivery of integrated care. Methods The meta-synthesis was conducted in line with Noblit and Hare’s seven phases of meta-ethnography. A systematic literature search was conducted by two university librarians in seven databases using the search terms ‘older adults’, ‘communication’, ‘integrated care’ and ‘primary care’. All articles were reviewed by two authors independently. 11 studies were included for analysis. Results Older adults are aware of IPC and have preferences regarding how it is conducted. Three main themes were identified in the reciprocal analysis: (1) Inconsistent care perceived as lack of IPC, (2) individual preferences regarding involvement and awareness of IPC and (3) lack of IPC may trigger negative feelings. Conclusions This meta-ethnography shows the perspective of older adults on IPC as part of integrated care. Our study shows that older adults are concerned about whether healthcare personnel talk to each other or not and recognise IPC as fundamental in providing consistent care. The perspectives of older adults are relevant for clinicians and politicians, as well as researchers, when developing and implementing future integrated care services for home-dwelling older adults.

The constructivist acquisition of language by children has been elaborately documented by researchers in psycholinguistics and cognitive science. However, despite the centrality of human-like communication in the field of artificial intelligence, no faithful computational operationalizations of the mechanisms through which children learn language exist to date. In this article, we fill part of this void by introducing a mechanistic model of the constructivist acquisition of language through syntactico-semantic pattern finding. Concretely, we present a methodology for learning grammars based on similarities and differences in the form and meaning of linguistic observations alone. The resulting grammars consist of form-meaning mappings of variable extent and degree of abstraction, called constructions, which facilitate both language comprehension and production. Applying our methodology to the CLEVR benchmark dataset, we provide a proof of concept that demonstrates the online, incremental, data-efficient, transparent and effective learning of item-based construction grammars from utterance–meaning pairs.

Traditional spacecraft attitude control often relies heavily on the dimension and mass information of the spacecraft. In active debris removal scenarios, these characteristics cannot be known beforehand because the debris can take any shape or mass. Additionally, it is not possible to measure the mass of the combined system of satellite and debris object in orbit. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an adaptive satellite attitude control that can extract mass information about the satellite system from other measurements. The authors propose using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithms, employing stacked observations to handle widely varying masses. The satellite is simulated in Basilisk software, and the control performance is assessed using Monte Carlo simulations. The results demonstrate the benefits of DRL with stacked observations compared to a classical proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller for the spacecraft attitude control. The algorithm is able to adapt, especially in scenarios with changing physical properties.

The ongoing global digital transformation has significant implications for economies and societies, with potential benefits and challenges. This study addresses the critical need for a comprehensive measurement of regional digitalization in Germany to better understand its impact on various aspects of life, including education, employment, and working conditions. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), it introduces a multifaceted regional digitalization measure at the administrative district level (NUTS-3) that incorporates digital infrastructure, culture, technology capacity, high-tech human capital, and digitalization-related innovativeness. Results for 2013 and 2017 are compared. The study reveals that digitalization varies significantly across regions, but hardly over time. Urban regions tend to have higher digitalization levels, which are positively associated with economic productivity and high-skilled labor demand. Our developed measurement of regional digitalization is publicly available.

Apresentam-se resultados de pesquisa sobre as políticas educacionais na rede estadual de ensino da Paraíba, com foco em avaliação externa, prestação de contas e responsabilização. Orienta-se por uma perspectiva histórica e utilizam-se como técnicas de coleta de dados levantamento bibliográfico e análise documental. Analisa-se a estruturação das políticas de accountability na educação estadual paraibana, entre 2011 e 2018, considerando as políticas de avaliação externa, o pagamento por desempenho, o sistema de monitoramento das escolas e o trabalho docente. Reflete-se sobre o caráter indutor e privatizante dessas políticas na gestão das escolas e na prática docente; e o fortalecimento da lógica empresarial, em sentido lato e stricto sensu, com a promoção de uma gestão baseada em resultados. Palavras-chave: Avaliação externa. Accountability educacional. Educação estadual paraibana.

Abstract Political knowledge is crucial for well-functioning democracies, with most scholars assuming that people at the political extremes are more knowledgeable than those at the center. Here, we adopt a data-driven approach to examine the relationship between political orientation and political knowledge by testing a series of polynomial curves in 45 countries (N = 63,544), spread over 6 continents. Contrary to the dominant perspective, we found no evidence that people at the political extremes are the most knowledgeable about politics. Rather, the most common pattern was a fourth-degree polynomial association in which those who are moderately left-wing and right-wing are more knowledgeable than people at the extremes and center of the political spectrum. This pattern was especially, though not exclusively, prevalent in Western countries. We conclude that the relationship between political orientation and political knowledge is more context-dependent and complex than assumed, and caution against (implicit) universal conclusions in social sciences.

Abstract Background Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCE) is a well‐documented condition in dogs although rarely reported in chondrodystrophic breeds. Genetic associations have not been defined. Objectives Define the association of the chondrodystrophy‐associated FGF4L2 retrogene with histopathologically confirmed cases of FCE. Animals Ninety‐eight dogs with a histopathologic diagnosis of FCE. Methods Retrospective multicenter study. Dogs were genotyped for the FGF4L2 and FGF4L1 retrogenes using DNA extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue. Associations between breed, FCE and retrogene status were investigated with reference to a hospital population and known breed and general population allele frequencies. Results FGF4L2 genotype was defined in 89 FCE cases. Fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy was present in 22 dogs from FGF4L2‐segregating breeds with allele frequencies of ≥5%; however, all dogs were wild type. Two Labrador retrievers with FCE carried FGF4L2 alleles. Frequency of the FGF4L2 allele was significantly (P

RESUMO Urbanus acawoios (Lep.: Hesperiidae) é um potente desfolhador de sombreiro, Clitoria fairchildiana (Leguminosae) e o estudo da sua razão de crescimento e razão de mortalidade e crescimento com outras fontes de alimento (Leguminosae), fornecerá subsídios para o conhecimento de sua dinâmica populacional. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a razão de crescimento, avaliando-se as cápsulas cefálicas oriundas das ecdises e calcular a razão de mortalidade e sobrevivência desta espécie quando alimentada com folhas de grupos de feijão. O peso das lagartas de U. acawoios é pelo menos dobrado a cada ínstar. A razão média de mortalidade e sobrevivência foi de 0,13; 0,07; 0,13 e 0,16, para as lagartas alimentadas com folhas de feijão dos grupos cavalo, vermelho, manteiga e roxo, respectivamente, sendo a razão média de crescimento de 1,619; 1,567; 1,589 e 1,577, respectivamente.

Abstract Background Person-centredness is considered as best practice for people living with dementia. A frequently used instrument to assess person-centredness of a care environment is the Person-centred Climate Questionnaire (PCQ). The questionnaire comprises of 14 items with the three subscales a climate of safety, a climate of everydayness and a climate of community. Aim The aim of the study is to describe the translation process of the English language Person-centred Climate Questionnaire (Staff version, Patient version, Family version) into German language (PCQ-G) and to evaluate the first psychometric properties of the German language Person-centred Climate Questionnaire– Staff version (PCQ-G-S). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study. The three versions of the 14-item English PCQ were translated into German language (PCQ-G) based on the recommendations for cross-cultural adaption of measures. Item distribution, internal consistency and structural validity of the questionnaire were assessed among nursing home staff (PCQ-G-S). Item distribution was calculated using descriptive statistics. Structural validity was tested using principal component analysis (PCA), and internal consistency was assessed for the resulting subscales using Cronbach’s alpha. Data collection took place from May to September 2021. Results A total sample of 120 nurses was included in the data analysis. Nine out of 14 items of the PCQ-G-S demonstrated acceptable item difficulty, while five times showed a ceiling effect. The PCA analysis demonstrated a strong structural validity for a three-factor solution explaining 68.6% of the total variance. The three subscales demonstrated a good internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha scores of 0.8 for each of the subscales. Conclusion The analysis of the 14-item German version (PCQ-G-S) showed first evidence for a strong internal consistency and structural validity for evaluating staff perceptions of the person-centredness in German nursing homes. Based on this, further investigations for scale validity of the PCQ-G versions should be carried out.

Individuals working in the field of dentistry have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) owing to monotonous and one-sided physical exertion. Inertial measurement units (IMU) are increasingly shifting into focus for assessing postural risk at work. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of an ergonomic lecture and training intervention on postural risk and MSDs in dental assistant students using inertial sensor-based motion capture (MoCap). Eighteen female dental assistant students (age: 19.44 ± 6.83 years; height: 164.59 ± 5.32 cm; weight: 64.88 ± 16.52 kg; BMI: 19.70 ± 4.89 kg/m2), randomly divided into intervention (n = 9) and control (n = 9) groups, participated in the present study. The participants completed the Nordic Questionnaire on MSD prevalence, after which a 90 s MoCap with Xsens IMU was performed. A lecture on ergonomics was provided, followed by a five-week intervention for the intervention group. Follow-up assessments were performed, and 5- and 18-week follow-up MSD questionnaires were administered. Mixed analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed a significant difference in the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and part-scores of the upper arm and wrist. Despite a reduction in MSDs, no significant differences in the time of measurement and groups were detected after the five-week training intervention and the 18-week follow-up questionnaire. A targeted ergonomics lecture was effective for dental assistant students, and technologies such as IMU improved workplace ergonomics in dentists. Further studies with a longer measurement periods, follow-up, and larger sample sizes are recommended.

The coexistence of obligate mutualists is often precariously close to tipping points where small environmental changes can drive catastrophic shifts in species composition. For example, microbial ecosystems can collapse by the decline of a strain that provides an essential resource on which other strains cross-feed. Here, we show that tipping points, ecosystem collapse, bistability and hysteresis arise even with very weak (non-obligate) mutualism provided the population is spatially structured. Based on numeric solutions of a metacommunity model and mean-field analyses, we demonstrate that weak mutualism lowers the minimal dispersal rate necessary to avoid stochastic extinction, while species need to overcome a mean threshold density to survive in this low dispersal rate regime. Our results allow us to make numerous predictions for mutualistic metacommunities regarding tipping points, hysteresis effects, and recovery from external perturbations, and let us draw general conclusions for ecosystems even with random, not necessarily mutualistic, interactions and systems with density-dependent dispersal rather than direct mutualistic interactions.

This minireview examines the current state and challenges of genome editing in macroalgae. Despite the ecological and economic significance of this group of organisms, genome editing has seen limited applications. While CRISPR functionality has been established in two brown (Ectocarpus species 7 and Saccharina japonica) and one green seaweed (Ulva prolifera), these studies are limited to proof-of-concept demonstrations. All studies also (co)-targeted ADENINE PHOSPHORIBOSYL TRANSFERASE to enrich for mutants, due to the relatively low editing efficiencies. To advance the field, there should be a focus on advancing auxiliary technologies, particularly stable transformation, so that novel editing reagents can be screened for their efficiency. More work is also needed on understanding DNA repair in these organisms, as this is tightly linked with the editing outcomes. Developing efficient genome editing tools for macroalgae will unlock the ability to characterize their genes, which is largely uncharted terrain. Moreover, given their economic importance, genome editing will also impact breeding campaigns to develop strains that have better yields, produce more commercially valuable compounds, and show improved resilience to the impacts of global change.