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Introduction: Virtual TBL is an online adaptation of the team-based learning (TBL) instructional strategy, emphasizing collaborative learning and problem-solving. The emergency shift to virtual TBL during the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges. This study aims to 1) compare overall pharmacy students' perceptions and attitudes toward face-to-face (FTF) TBL vs. virtual TBL in the didactic curriculum and stratify their perceptions and attitudes by various students' characteristics; 2) evaluate students' perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of virtual TBL. Methods: This mixed-methods, pre-post, cross-sectional study utilized an anonymous survey to collect the data. Pharmacy students completed a survey to compare their perceptions and attitudes toward learning, class experience, learning outcomes achieved, and satisfaction with FTF TBL vs. virtual TBL using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Additionally, the survey included two open-ended questions to gather students' perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of virtual TBL. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank exact test, while qualitative survey data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: A total of 117 students (response rate of 59.4%) completed the study survey. Pharmacy students perceived FTF TBL to be superior to virtual TBL in their attitudes toward learning, class experience, learning outcomes achieved, and overall satisfaction across various students' characteristics. While the students identified some unique strengths of using virtual TBL, they also highlighted several weaknesses of using this learning modality compared to FTF TBL. Conclusions: Pharmacy students perceived FTF TBL to be superior to virtual TBL across various students' characteristics. These findings can be helpful to pharmacy programs considering the implementation of virtual TBL in their didactic curricula. Future research should explore whether a purposefully designed virtual TBL environment, as opposed to the pandemic-driven emergency TBL planning, can influence students' perceptions and attitudes toward virtual TBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the complexities of involving minors in healthcare decisions, emphasizing the need to balance autonomy with welfare interests and parental involvement. It highlights the ethical, legal, psychological, medical, cultural, and societal factors that influence decision-making for minors. The legal frameworks vary across European countries, with some countries defining autonomy based on age limits and others considering the patient's level of maturity or competence. The article acknowledges the challenges faced by physicians in assessing a minor's maturity and navigating different legal age limits for specific medical matters. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of communication, age-appropriate tools, and understanding legal complexities to foster collaboration between minors, families, and healthcare providers. [Extracted from the article]

The Wnt- beta-catenin signalling pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of bone mass, and mutations in key pathway regulators, such as I LRP5 i and I SOST i result in phenotypes of extremely low bone mass or high bone mass [[3]]. Over the last two decades genetic causes of early-onset obesity have been unravelled, and this has been translated into gene panels for assessment of monogenic obesity in patients with early-onset obesity, increasing our ability to pinpoint causes of severe early-onset obesity [[39]]. Drugs developed for treatment of achondroplasia that modulate the FGFR3 and MAPK pathways may prove useful for the treatment of related milder growth conditions. Treatment improves height velocity in children with achondroplasia, and has recently been licenced for the treatment of patients > 2 yrs of age [[15]-[17]]. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Utilization of rapid diagnostic testing alongside intensive antimicrobial stewardship interventions improves patient outcomes. We sought to determine the clinical impact of a rapid blood culture identification (BCID) panel in an established Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) with limited personnel resources. Methods: A single center retrospective pre- and post-intervention cohort study was performed following the implementation of a BCID panel on patients admitted with at least 1 positive blood culture during the study period. The primary outcome was time to optimal therapy from blood culture collection. Secondary outcomes included days of therapy (DOT), length of stay, and 30-day mortality and readmission rates. Results: 277 patients were screened with 180 patients included, with 82 patients in the pre-BCID and 98 in the post-BCID arms. Median time to optimal therapy was 73.8 hours (IQR; 1.1-79.6) in the pre-BCID arm and 34.7 hours (IQR; 10.9-71.6) in the post-BCID arm (p ≤ 0.001). Median DOT for vancomycin was 4 and 3 days (p ≤ 0.001), and for piperacillin-tazobactam was 3.5 and 2 days (p ≤ 0.007), for the pre-BCID and post-BCID arms, respectively. Median length of hospitalization was decreased from 11 to 9 days (p = 0.031). No significant change in 30-day readmission rate was noted, with a trend toward lower mortality (12% vs 5%; p = 0.086). Conclusion: Introduction of BCID into the daily workflow resulted in a significant reduction in time to optimal therapy for bloodstream infections and DOT for select broad-spectrum antibiotics, highlighting the potential benefits of rapid diagnostics even in settings with limited personnel resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard design and cost estimation for a sewer network involves considerable time and financial investment. There are, however, many cases where a rapid assessment of the sewer infrastructure or related costs associated with a service zone might be required. Although there are numerous approaches to rapid sewer infrastructure estimation in the literature, to date, no widely available tool has been developed that can be applied to reliably estimate the expected sewer pipeline infrastructure associated with a service zone in South Africa. The aim of this study was to develop a method for estimating the sewer pipeline infrastructure required for a service zone, based on limited information, that could be applied to future developments. A database of South African sewer network data was used in the development of three major study outcomes. Study Outcome I involved developing regression models for estimating the total sewer pipeline length using only basic service zone characteristics. Models were developed for different categories of land use and area size, allowing for estimation of the total pipeline length as a function of the service zone area size, relief, and the density of contributing users. Study Outcome II involved determining the average pipeline diameter distributions for different types of service zones, enabling disaggregation of the total pipeline length into lengths per diameter. Study Outcome III involved determining the average number of manholes per kilometre of sewer pipeline. Combined, the three study outcomes form an infrastructure estimation tool that enables the sewer pipeline length per approximate diameter and the number of manholes associated with a service zone to be estimated, applicable to service zones smaller than 450 hectares. This study illustrates how the same methodology can be followed to develop similar tools which are applicable to other specific regions or development types, provided an appropriate dataset is obtainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard design and cost estimation for a sewer network involves considerable time and financial investment. There are, however, many cases where a rapid assessment of the sewer infrastructure or related costs associated with a service zone might be required. Although there are numerous approaches to rapid sewer infrastructure estimation in the literature, to date, no widely available tool has been developed that can be applied to reliably estimate the expected sewer pipeline infrastructure associated with a service zone in South Africa. The aim of this study was to develop a method for estimating the sewer pipeline infrastructure required for a service zone, based on limited information, that could be applied to future developments. A database of South African sewer network data was used in the development of three major study outcomes. Study Outcome I involved developing regression models for estimating the total sewer pipeline length using only basic service zone characteristics. Models were developed for different categories of land use and area size, allowing for estimation of the total pipeline length as a function of the service zone area size, relief, and the density of contributing users. Study Outcome II involved determining the average pipeline diameter distributions for different types of service zones, enabling disaggregation of the total pipeline length into lengths per diameter. Study Outcome III involved determining the average number of manholes per kilometre of sewer pipeline. Combined, the three study outcomes form an infrastructure estimation tool that enables the sewer pipeline length per approximate diameter and the number of manholes associated with a service zone to be estimated, applicable to service zones smaller than 450 hectares. This study illustrates how the same methodology can be followed to develop similar tools which are applicable to other specific regions or development types, provided an appropriate dataset is obtainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental sustainability constitutes an important part of the political and educational context in China as it strives to move toward an ecological civilization. However, there is limited literature documenting the ways in which sustainability is embedded in higher education (HE) teaching. This qualitative research involves interviews and focus groups with 30 faculty in Business and Economics disciplines at three high-ranked Chinese Universities and offers an original exploration of how they include environmental sustainability in their teaching, and the opportunities and challenges they encounter. The findings are significant in suggesting that a broad range of sustainability concepts and aligned pedagogies are incorporated but that political and institutional culture, limitations on obtaining research data, constraints on curriculum design, and individual beliefs are significant barriers to implementation. Strategies employed by faculty to embed sustainability are investigated and reviewed in the context of the 'theory of the second best', previously used in UK research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition from hospital-to-home care for CMC presents numerous challenges for their families, who suddenly find themselves responsible for providing complex care and coordinating various aspects of their child's care needs. As highlighted by de Lange and coworkers, the lack of a standardized approach to hospital-to-home care transition for CMC families is a significant gap in current care practices [[1]]. In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of Children with Medical Complexity (CMC). [Extracted from the article]

Purpose. To compare rigid rectoscopy with three different MRI measurement techniques for rectal cancer height determination, all starting at the anal verge, in order to evaluate whether MRI measurements starting from the anal verge could be an alternative to rigid rectoscopy. Moreover, potential cut-off values for MRI in categorizing tumor height measurements were evaluated. Methods. In this retrospective study, 106 patients (75 men, 31 female, mean age 64 ± 11.59 years) with primary rectal cancer underwent rigid rectoscopy as well as MR imaging. Three different measurements (MRI1–3) in T2w sagittal scans were used to evaluate the exact distance from the anal verge (AV) to the distal ending of the tumor (MRI1: two unbowed lines, AV to the upper ending of the anal canal and upper ending of the anal canal to the lower border of the tumor; MRI2: one straight line from the AV to the lower boarder of the tumor; MRI3: a curved line beginning at the AV and following the course of the rectum wall ending at the lower border of the tumor). Furthermore, agreement between the gold standard rigid rectoscopy (UICC classification: low part, 0-6 cm; mid part, 6-12 cm; and high part, >12 cm) and each MRI measuring technique was analyzed. Results. Only a fair correlation in terms of individual measures between rectoscopy and all 3 MRI measurement techniques was shown. The proposed new cut-off values utilizing ROC analysis for the three different MRI beginning at the anal verge were low 0-7.7 cm, mid 7.7-13.3 cm, and high > 13.3 cm (MRI1); low 0-7.4 cm, mid 7.4-11.2 cm, and high > 11.2 cm (MRI2); and low 0-7.1 cm, mid 7.1-13.7 cm, and high > 13.7 cm (MRI3). For MRI1 and MRI3, the agreement to the gold standard was substantial (r = 0.66 , r = 0.67 , respectively). Conclusion. This study illustrates that MRI1 and MRI3 measures can be interchangeably used as a valid method to determine tumor height compared to the gold standard rigid rectoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analysis of multivariate EEG signals in frequency domain resulting in construction of Chow-Liu trees. • Visualization of energy interplay in EEG channel frequency band combinations. • Correlation of graph edit distances of estimated 3d Chow-Liu tree with medical classification of EEG. In this paper we introduce a novel method for the evaluation of neonatal brain function via multivariate EEG (electroencephalography) signal processing and embedding into a probabilistic graph, the so called Chow-Liu tree. Using 28 EEG recordings of preterm and term neonate infants the complex features of the EEG signals were constructed in the form of a Chow-Liu tree. The trees were embedded into a 3 dimensional Euclidean space. Clustering of specific EEG patterns was done by complete linkage algorithm. Our analytic tool was able to build clusters of patients with pathological EEG findings. In particular, we were able to make a visual proof on a 3d multidimensional scaling coordinate system with a good performance. The distances (graph edit distance) between Chow-Liu trees of different infants were proportional to the clinical findings of corresponding infants. Our method may provide a basis for the future development of a diagnostic/prognostic non-invasive brain monitoring tool which will be able to differentiate between a variety of complex clinical findings. This model addresses relevant issues in neonatology and neuropediatrics in terms of identification of possible clinical factors which interfere with normal brain development and will allow fast unbiased recognition of infants with specific pathological EEG findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Future studies should apply a more systemic approach to integrated care for children living with complex care needs because integration of I all i services is needed, including healthcare services and services outside healthcare. Due to these conditions, various health problems can arise and necessitate screening, prevention, and treatment at different ages during childhood. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of empowering pediatric providers in managing common complaints in children's healthcare. It highlights the barriers that pediatric providers face, such as a lack of knowledge and time constraints, which can lead to unnecessary referrals and testing. The article suggests three action items to improve patient care, including the development of curricula to educate healthcare trainees on best practices, quality improvement initiatives to reduce unnecessary testing and referrals, and collaboration among subspecialists, pediatric providers, and institutions to enhance communication and access to up-to-date information and guidelines. The article emphasizes the need for effective communication with families to alleviate anxiety and reduce unnecessary referrals. It also mentions the role of subspecialists in reducing unnecessary testing and referrals and the importance of open lines of communication between providers. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of clinical practice guidelines, education, quality improvement initiatives, and inter-provider communication in improving pediatric care. [Extracted from the article]

Enteral nutrition is effective in ensuring nutritional requirements and growth. However, when tube feeding lasts for a longer period, it can lead to tube dependency in the absence of medical reasons for continuation of tube feeding. Tube-dependent children are unable or refuse to start oral activities and they lack oral skills. Tube dependency has health-, psychosocial-, and economy-related consequences. Therefore, the transition to oral feeding is of great importance. However, this transition can be very difficult and needs a multidisciplinary approach. Most studies for treatment of tube dependency are based on behavioral interventions, such as family therapy, individual behavior therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, and parental anxiety reduction. Furthermore, oral motor therapy and nutritional adjustments can be helpful in tube weaning. The use of medication has been described in the literature. Although mostly chosen as the last resort, hunger-inducing methods, such as the Graz-model and the Dutch clinical hunger provocation program, are also successful in weaning children off tube feeding.Conclusion: The transition from tube to oral feeding is important in tube-dependent children but can be difficult. We present an overview for the prevention and treatment of tube dependency. What is known: • Longer periods of tube feeding can lead to tube dependency. • Tube weaning can be very difficult. What is new: • Weaning as soon as possible and therefore referral to a multidisciplinary team are recommended. • An overview of treatment options for tube dependency is presented in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated driving can fundamentally change road transportation and improve quality of life. However, at present, the role of humans in automated vehicles (AVs) is not clearly established. Interviews were conducted in April and May 2015 with 12 expert researchers in the field of human factors (HFs) of automated driving to identify commonalities and distinctive perspectives regarding HF challenges in the development of AVs. The experts indicated that an AV up to SAE Level 4 should inform its driver about the AV's capabilities and operational status, and ensure safety while changing between automated and manual modes. HF research should particularly address interactions between AVs, human drivers and vulnerable road users. Additionally, driver-training programmes may have to be modified to ensure that humans are capable of using AVs. Finally, a reflection on the interviews is provided, showing discordance between the interviewees' statements - which appear to be in line with a long history of HFs research - and the rapid development of automation technology. We expect our perspective to be instrumental for stakeholders involved in AV development and instructive to other parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage system for mesopic photometry requires that an estimate is made of the observers' state of luminance adaptation. This paper addresses an assumption made when estimating background luminance, a component of adaptation luminance. Specifically, using spatial sampling of the visual field we compare background luminances determined from assumptions of static or dynamic visual gaze, the former being a simplification, the latter being a better representation based on eye movements when driving. The comparison was undertaken with luminance images of urban scenes at night on three roads, two real and one simulated. It was found that background luminances were significantly higher when estimated using the dynamic assumption. It was also found that scene luminances at the point of foveal fixations tend to be higher than those luminances influencing peripheral regions of the retina. Compared with the background luminance estimated for a dynamic peripheral field, a horizon-centred 10° circle led to a slightly higher estimate and the road surface luminance to a slightly lower estimate of background luminance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of situation awareness has received continuing interest over the last decades. Freeze-probe methods, such as the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT), are commonly employed for measuring situation awareness. The aim of this paper was to review validity issues of the SAGAT and examine whether eye movements are a promising alternative for measuring situation awareness. First, we outlined six problems of freeze-probe methods, such as the fact that freeze-probe methods rely on what the operator has been able to remember and then explicitly recall. We propose an operationalization of situation awareness based on the eye movements of the person in relation to their task environment to circumvent shortfalls of memory mediation and task interruption. Next, we analyzed experimental data in which participants (N = 86) were tasked to observe a display of six dials for about 10 min, and press the space bar if a dial pointer crossed a threshold value. Every 90 s, the screen was blanked and participants had to report the state of the dials on a paper sheet. We assessed correlations of participants' task performance (% of threshold crossing detected) with visual sampling scores (% of dials glanced at during threshold crossings) and freeze-probe scores. Results showed that the visual-sampling score correlated with task performance at the threshold-crossing level (r = 0.31) and at the individual level (r = 0.78). Freeze-probe scores were low and showed weak associations with task performance. We conclude that the outlined limitations of the SAGAT impede measurement of situation awareness, which can be computed more effectively from eye movement measurements in relation to the state of the task environment. The present findings have practical value, as advances in eye-tracking cameras and ubiquitous computing lessen the need for interruptive tests such as SAGAT. Eye-based situation awareness is a predictor of performance, with the advantage that it is applicable through real-time feedback technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University rankings are increasingly important internationally, and in the UK include a sustainability 'Green League'. However, there is little evidence about experiences of studying in 'sustainable universities'. We report an empirical study at five universities in varied positions in the Green League, exploring students' energy literacy, environmental attitudes and perceptions of their institution's energy-saving efforts. Although the link to energy literacy is not clear, findings suggest that there are significant differences between students' environmental attitudes at universities placed at different points in the league. In addition, students at higher ranked universities are more positive about their university's energy-saving efforts, suggesting that these institutions may exhibit more overt manifestations of sustainability. This is important since students report being more likely to choose energy-conservation behaviours if there is visible representation of energy use. The study is the first to attempt a comparison between universities at different positions in a sustainability ranking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a worldwide disease in horses that parallels human diabetes mellitus type 2. In both diseases, patients show an altered peripheral insulin sensitivity as a key feature. In humans, multiple studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity. However, serum magnesium levels vary and are therefore not a reliable indicator of the patients’ magnesium status. Determining the intracellular free magnesium concentration appears to be a more sensitive diagnostic indicator. In this study, the free intracellular magnesium concentration was measured using mag‐fura 2 spectrophotometry in blood lymphocytes in 12 healthy, non‐obese horses at 9 a.m., 12 a.m. and 4 p.m. to establish reference ranges according to a protocol designed for human blood lymphocytes. Additionally, the serum magnesium concentration was measured. In all horses, the total serum magnesium concentration was within the reference range. The mean free magnesium concentration in blood lymphocytes of all horses was 0.291 ± 0.067 mmol/L with no significant difference between the time points. The reference range for the free intracellular magnesium concentration in equine lymphocytes was set at 0.16–0.42 mmol/L. The established values are slightly lower than those in healthy humans. The designed protocol for the measurement of the intracellular free magnesium concentration might be an excellent research tool to assess the cellular magnesium status and to reliably diagnose an altered magnesium homeostasis in EMS. Further studies shall elucidate possible alterations in cellular magnesium status in horses with EMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

See related article: 10.1007/s00431-020-03765-7 Previous studies have reported fewer cases of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children than in adults, and to date there is limited literature about the clinical course and outcomes in neonates [[1]]. The same applies for transmission during delivery and an international classification to diagnose fetal and neonatal COVID is now available [[10]-[12]] Cavicchiolo's study was not focused on this group of potentially infected neonates, but the experience of neonates within a NICU. We never will know whether or not this surveillance would have prevented illnesses in the infants nor whether the increased COVID-19 hygiene measures had been enough without putting adults into quarantine. [Extracted from the article]

Neonatal lung ultrasound is a novel imaging technique that is gathering growing interest in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Functional lung ultrasound is able to document the failure of non-invasive respiratory support that often preludes to exogenous surfactant administration for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) [[1]]. However, there are enough evidence-based data to give surfactant as early as possible (that is, within the first 3 hours of life) [[9]] in preterm neonates affected by RDS treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and all guidelines recognize this [[2], [4]]. [Extracted from the article]

In 1972 the pilots of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 to Miami International Airport noticed that the nose wheel of the landing gear was not locked properly in place. On the other hand, every disaster has its learning opportunities, and so does the current Covid-19 crisis. [Extracted from the article]

Iterative prototyping is costly and time-consuming. Particularly when designing medical instruments, human factors related design choices significantly impact performance and safety. A tool is presented that allows for the evaluation of steerable instrument controls before the onset of the prototyping stage. The design tool couples gestural input to virtually simulated instrument motions using hand motion tracking. We performed a human-subject evaluation of two manual control strategies that differed in their degrees of freedom (DOF). 2DOF thumb control was compared to 4DOF thumb-index finger control. Results identified regions within the instrument workspace that are difficult to reach and showed participants to favor using the thumb for gross and fine-tuning motions at both control strategies. Index finger ab/adduction was found to be least functional. A strong learning effect was observed at 4DOF control. Based on the results, gesture-based instrument design is a viable design tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to investigate how contrast threshold for target detection is affected by the presence of glare and by extraneous light sources using the method of ascending limits. The target was located at either a foveal or a peripheral (10° right) location, glare was adjacent to the foveal location, simulating the headlamps of an oncoming vehicle, and extraneous light sources were at either foveal or peripheral (10° right or left) locations. Contrast threshold for a foveal target without glare was affected mainly by the surrounding local luminance distribution. However, in the presence of glare and also for the peripheral target (both with and without glare) the global luminance distribution matters. Glare increased the contrast needed for detection of the foveal target, but this effect was reduced by the presence of extraneous light sources that were peripheral to the target. For peripheral targets, contrast threshold was also reduced by the presence of extraneous light at a non-target location and this effect was increased in the presence of glare. Glare equations tend to be based on tests using uniform, homogenous fields: these data indicate that, in the presence of extraneous light sources, the influence of glare is overestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a novel approach to characterize the spatiotemporal evolution of regional cooling across the eastern United States (commonly called the U.S. warming hole), by defining a spatially explicit boundary around the region of most persistent cooling. The warming hole emerges after a regime shift in 1958 where annual maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperatures decreased by 0.83°C and 0.46°C, respectively. The annual warming hole consists of two distinct seasonal modes, one located in the southeastern United States during winter and spring and the other in the midwestern United States during summer and autumn. A correlation analysis indicates that the seasonal modes differ in causation. Winter temperatures in the warming hole are significantly correlated with the Meridional Circulation Index, North Atlantic Oscillation, and Pacific Decadal Oscillation. However, the variability of ocean‐atmosphere circulation modes is insufficient to explain the summer temperature patterns of the warming hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we developed a straightforward aqueous synthesis of unprecedented alternating peptide–peptoid copolymers via a Ugi four-component reaction applied to dipeptides. Functional peptide–peptoid copolymers as well as block copolymers were produced in a single step in the presence of acrylic acid and carboxylic acid-terminated poly(ethylene glycol). The thermoresponsiveness of these polymers is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CIE Joint Technical Committee JTC-1 has requested data regarding the size and shape of the distribution of drivers’ eye movement in order to characterize visual adaptation. This paper reports the eye movement of drivers along two routes in Berlin after dark, a main road and a residential street, captured using eye tracking. It was found that viewing behaviour differed between the two types of road. On the main road eye movement was clustered within a circle of approximately 10° diameter, centred at the horizon of the lane. On the residential street eye movement is clustered slightly (3.8°) towards the near side, eye movements were best captured with either an ellipse of approximate axes 10° vertical and 20° horizontal, centred on the lane ahead, or a 10° circle centred 3.8° towards the near side. These distributions reflect a driver’s tendency to look towards locations of anticipated hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We review the sampling models described in John Senders's doctoral thesis on "visual sampling processes" via a ready and accessible exposition. Background: John Senders left a significant imprint on human factors/ergonomics (HF/E). Here, we focus on one preeminent aspect of his career, namely visual attention. Methods: We present, clarify, and expand the models in his thesis through computer simulation and associated visual illustrations. Results: One of the key findings of Senders's work on visual sampling concerns the linear relationship between signal bandwidth and visual sampling rate. The models that are used to describe this relationship are the periodic sampling model (PSM), the random constrained sampling model (RCM), and the conditional sampling model (CSM). A recent replication study that used results from modern eye-tracking equipment showed that Senders's original findings are manifestly replicable. Conclusions: Senders's insights and findings withstand the test of time and his models continue to be both relevant and useful to the present and promise continued impact in the future. Application: The present paper is directed to stimulate a broad spectrum of researchers and practitioners in HF/E and beyond to use these important and insightful models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine success rates in strictly defined high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer ( DTC) patients who received a high-activity (≥5550 MBq) adjuvant postoperative I-131 therapy and compare these to the rates found in highest risk and low-risk patients. Design Retrospective database study. Patients We examined 377 patients with DTC who received I-131 ablation. Patients with distant metastases were classified as very high risk. Patients with primary tumours >4 cm, extensive extrathyroidal invasion (pT4a or pT4b in accordance with the 7th edition of the TNM system), and patients with ≥5 lymph node metastases or any lateral compartment lymph node metastases were considered high risk. All other patients were considered low risk. Measurements Ablation success rate at first TSH-stimulated follow-up. Results The ablation success rate was 72·6% in low-risk patients, 51·7% in high-risk patients and 13·8% in highest risk patients (all differences P < 0·001). In none of the groups, a significant difference in the initial I-131 activity was found between patients with successful and unsuccessful ablation (low risk: P = 0·16, high risk: P = 0·91 and highest risk: P = 0·48). Furthermore, there was no difference in ablation success between patients who received <5550 MBq and those who received ≥5550 Mbq (low risk: P = 0·31, high risk: P = 0·69 and highest risk: P = 0·22). Conclusions Patients with high-risk DTC have a significantly reduced I-131 ablation success rate compared to low-risk ones in spite of high initial I-131 activities. As successful ablation is prognostically important, efforts should be made to improve outcome in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent and mechanisms by which organic matter in a solution can be retained and foul a membrane largely depends on the molecular weight of the material being filtered and the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the membrane. The present study investigated the effect of the MWCO of a membrane and the molecular weight distribution of natural organic matter (NOM) in a source water on the increase in resistance to the permeate flux over time. Of particular interest was the effect of oxidation, applied prior to membrane filtration, on the predominant fouling mechanism. Oxidation can change the molecular weight distribution of organic matter in raw water, and therefore the ability of a membrane to retain this organic matter. Oxidation, using both ozonation and UV/H 2 O 2 , could effectively reduce the extent of fouling for higher MWCO membranes. However, neither oxidation approaches could effectively reduce the extent of fouling for lower MWCO membranes, likely because oxidation could not effectively oxidize lower molecular weight organic matter. Althoug the data indicated that the extent of fouling is increasing with the amount of DOC retained by the membrane, no statistically significant correlation was observed between these parameters. The results suggest that oxidation did not affect the predominant fouling mechanism. However, it did affect the molecular weight distribution of the organic matter retained by the membranes, and as a result, the resistance offered by the foulant cake layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents additional considerations in the study of mixed conductivity in gallium arsenide. Analysis of conductivity measurements based on the assumption of a fixed electron-to-hole mobility ratio; Effect of uncertainty on the ratio; Revision of the conductivity criterion for the onset of mixed conduction.

The poor safety record of the construction industry raises concerns about the extent to which it is able to integrate workers disabled as a result of a workplace injury back to the workplace. A review of the literature indicates there is little empirical evidence about the status of disability management (DM) in the Canadian construction industry, specifically with respect to injured construction workers returning to the workplace with a disability. To address this limitation, a web-based survey was administered to a sample of Manitoban construction organizations to enquire about workers disabled as a result of a workplace injury in the industry, practices in place to accommodate them, and barriers to their employment. The analysis of the responses of 88 organizations showed that the majority of responding organizations employed few disabled workers. Disabilities due to musculoskeletal injuries were the most common, followed by physical mobility and hearing impairments. Respondents saw retaining valued and experienced employees and maintaining employee morale as the main reasons for implementing a DM program. They also found the lack of suitable modified or alternate work to be the most important barrier to DM; however, they identified the provision of such work as the most common practice implemented by them, raising questions about this work's suitability to disabled workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the application of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) for the management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), the adage "less is more" has been a guiding principle [[1]]. VUR increasingly became a disease that children lived with, rather than suffered from, notably once it was recognized that VUR spontaneously resolved and CAP prevented UTIs during observation, in most [[1]]. Abbreviations UTI Urinary tract infections CAP Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis VUR Vesicoureteral reflux BBD Bladder-bowel dysfunction Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) and the CC-chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20), exhibit direct microbicidal effects and mediator-like activity. It was hypothesized that wounding induces the expression of AMPs and pro-inflammatory mediators and that endogenous mediators, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), modulate this induced expression. Material and methods: Monolayers of gingival epithelial cells (GECs) and gingival fibroblast (HGFs) from three different donors were wounded using the scratch assay (in vitro wounding) in the presence (test group) or absence (control group) of IGF-1 and TGF-alpha. In vitro wound closure was monitored over time (0, 6, 24, 48, 72 h), and wound areas were microscopically analyzed (Axio-Vision® Software, Zeiss). Gene expression analysis of the GAPDH, hBD-2, CCL20, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) was performed by qPCR. Results: In comparison to control cells, IGF-1 and TGF-alpha significantly enhanced in vitro wound closure ( P < 0.05). In GECs, IGF-1 induced the gene expression of IL-1 beta and IL-8 when compared to control cells ( P < 0.05). In HGFs, wounding per se induced the messenger RNA of hBD-2, CCL20, and IL-1 beta, whereas IGF-1 and TGF-alpha reversed this effect ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: In gingival cells, the gene expression of AMPs was altered by injury, and endogenous growth factors further influenced the expression profiles, but with high interindividual differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial agent fosfomycin was discovered in 1969, at a time when bacteria had not yet developed extended-spectrum β-lactamases or carbapenemases. Decades later, it is not uncommon for gram-negative organisms to be multidrug-resistant and even pan-resistant to available antibiotic regimens, leaving clinicians with few therapeutic alternatives. Because fosfomycin has been shown to retain activity against these virulent pathogens, there is renewed interest in its use as a therapeutic agent. Fosfomycin formulations including fosfomycin disodium and the newer tromethamine salt are less toxic than other alternatives and are attractive options for resistant gram-negative and gram-positive infections. Oral fosfomycin tromethamine is approved for urinary tract infections in the United States, and an intravenous formulation is also available outside of the United States for systemic disease. The bactericidal action of fosfomycin occurs at an earlier step in cell wall synthesis than that of β-lactam antibiotics. From an in vitro standpoint, fosfomycin generally has high activity against ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae; multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptibility appears to be more dependent on the local antibiogram. Fosfomycin formulations have a large volume of distribution, penetrate biofilms, and concentrate in the urine. Both oral and intravenous fosfomycin formulations are effective for a wide range of gram-negative infections and disease severities; however, clinical studies are limited. Fosfomycin formulations are well-tolerated, and mild gastrointestinal distress is the most common adverse effect. The primary limitations of fosfomycin are the lack of established regimens for complicated infections and the lack of availability of the intravenous formulation in the United States. Further study of this promising agent seems warranted in the current climate of antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Situation awareness and workload are popular constructs in human factors science. It has been hotly debated whether these constructs are scientifically credible, or whether they should merely be seen as folk models. Reflecting on the works of psychophysicist Stanley Smith Stevens and of measurement theorist David Hand, we suggest a resolution to this debate, namely that human factors constructs are situated towards the operational end of a representational-operational continuum. From an operational perspective, human factors constructs do not reflect an empirical reality, but they aim to predict. For operationalism to be successful, however, it is important to have suitable measurement procedures available. To explore how human factors constructs are measured, we focused on (mental) workload and its measurement by questionnaires and applied a culturomic analysis to investigate secular trends in word use. The results reveal an explosive use of the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). Other questionnaires, such as the Cooper Harper rating scale and the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique, show a modest increase, whereas many others appear short lived. We found no indication that the TLX is improved by iterative self-correction towards optimal validity, and we argue that usage of the NASA-TLX has become dominant through a Matthew effect. Recommendations for improving the quality of human factors research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a simple modelling approach combined with absorption spectroscopy of long living species generated by a cold atmospheric plasma jet yields insight into relevant gas phase chemistry. The reactive species output of the plasma jet is controlled using a shielding gas device. The shielding gas is varied using mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen at various humidity levels. Through the combination of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and zero dimensional kinetic modelling of the gas phase chemistry, insight into the underlying reaction mechanisms is gained. While the FTIR measurements yield absolute densities of ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the far field of the jet, the kinetic simulations give additional information on reaction pathways. The simulation is fitted to the experimentally obtained data, using the CFD simulations of the experimental setup to estimate the correct evaluation time for the kinetic simulation. It is shown that the ozone production of the plasma jet continuously rises with the oxygen content in the shielding gas, while it significantly drops as humidity is increased. The production of nitrogen dioxide reaches its maximum at about 30% oxygen content in the shielding gas. The underlying mechanisms are discussed based on the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Function allocation is a core activity of the human-machine systems discipline. Sixty years ago, Paul Fitts marked the outset of function allocation research with an 11-statements list. Since then numerous function allocation methods have been proposed, but strikingly the seminal Fitts list spans the entire history of this domain and continues to be cited today. In this paper, we intend to explain why the Fitts list is such a pervasive factor in function allocation research, despite having received extensive criticism. We invoke philosophy of science, and we show that the Fitts list fulfils six important criteria for appraising scientific theories: plausibility, explanatory adequacy, interpretability, simplicity, descriptive adequacy, and generalisability. Furthermore, we show that the Fitts report identified issues which decades later became known as the ironies of automation. We conclude that the Fitts list is an adequate approximation that captures the most important regularity of automation, and that the Fitts report represents an unprecedented intellectual achievement that has succeeded in its pioneering objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since December 2019, a new disease is challenging us in an unprecedented manner. Importantly in one fifth of the cases, the children had an underlying illness with lung disease including asthma, congenital heart disease, and hemato-oncological disease being most frequently described. References 1 Tagarro A, Epalza C, Santos M, Sanz-Santaeufemia FJ, Otheo E, Moraleda C, Calvo C (2020) Screening and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children in Madrid, Spain. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Surfactant; Intubation; Neonate; Prematurity; Respiratory distress syndrome; INSURE; MIST EN Surfactant Intubation Neonate Prematurity Respiratory distress syndrome INSURE MIST 1295 1296 2 07/13/20 20200801 NES 200801 See related article, 10.1007/s00431-020-03682-9 In the last decade, techniques supposed to provide a less invasive surfactant administration have been proposed to treat respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and the interest in these methods has spread. However, the so-called less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) or minimally invasive surfactant treatment (MIST) techniques represent an example of unjustified enthusiasm, as there is a lack of physiopathological and biological background supporting their hypothetical benefits [[1]]. INSURE intubation-surfactant-extubation LISA invasive surfactant administration MIST minimally invasive surfactant treatment NIPPV noninvasive positive pressure ventilation RDS respiratory distress syndrome Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, the effect of feed gas humidity on the reactive component generation of an atmospheric-pressure argon plasma jet and its effect on human skin cells are investigated. Feed gas humidity is identified as one key parameter that strongly influences stability and reproducibility of plasma medical studies. The plasma jet is investigated by absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and infrared spectral region for its ozone production depending on the humidity concentration in the feed gas. By optical emission spectroscopy the dependence of present excited plasma species such as hydroxyl radicals, molecular nitrogen, argon and atomic oxygen on the feed gas humidity is investigated. As an interface layer between the plasma jet effluent and the biological cell, a buffer solution is treated and the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production is studied with two independent colorimetric assays as a function of humidity admixture to the feed gas. Ultimately, the effect of varying feed gas humidity on the cell viability of indirect plasma treated adherent HaCAT cells is investigated. The highest viability is found for the driest feed gas condition. Furthermore, this work shows answers for the relevance of unwanted–or intended–feed gas humidity in plasma medical experiments and their comparatively large relevance with respect to ambient humidity. The findings will lead to more reproducible experiments in the field of plasma medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observed that high-power pulsed magnetron plasmas show instabilities in the form of rotating emission structures. Fast CCD camera measurements show motion into the E × B direction. Their characteristic frequencies are in the 100 kHz range. They are correlated with a modulation of the floating potential and changes in the ion saturation current of a Langmuir probe. Rotation velocities are of the order of 10 km s-1. The azimuthal mode number, i.e. the number of emission nodes depends on current. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of the frequency spectra indicates that the structures condense out of broad band fluctuations suggesting transition from stochastic to periodic behaviour. FFT of the Langmuir probe signals also identifies other types of instabilities at around 2.4 MHz, which is corresponding to the frequency of a modified two-stream instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To minimise lap times during car racing, it is important to build up brake forces rapidly and maintain precise control. We examined the effect of the amplification factor (gain) between brake pedal force and a visually represented output value on a driver's ability to track a target value. The test setup was a formula racing car cockpit fitted with an isometric brake pedal. Thirteen racing drivers performed tracking tasks with four control-display gains and two target functions: a step function (35 trials per gain) and a multisine function (15 trials per gain). The control-display gain had only minor effects on root mean-squared error between output value and target value, but it had large effects on build-up speed, overshoot, within-participants variability, and self-reported physical load. The results confirm the hypothesis that choosing an optimum gain involves balancing stability against physical effort. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:Associations between timing of eating occasions and their nutrient composition and health have been described in interventional and cross-sectional studies. However, data from longitudinal data are limited. This study examined 17-year changes in energy and macronutrient intake across eating occasions in the 1946 British birth cohort.SUBJECTS/METHODS:Data were obtained from the 1946 British birth cohort. Cohort members completed 5d-estimated diaries at ages 36 (1982), 43 (1989) and 53 years (1999). Data from subjects who provided dietary data at all three time points were analysed (n=1253). Repeated-measures analysis of variance with post hoc Bonferroni's adjustment was used to examine changes in energy and macronutrient at breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon, evening and extra meal slots between 1982 and 1999. Analyses were stratified by sex and social class.RESULTS:The proportion of energy and macronutrients consumed at lunch declined between 1982 and 1999, which was compensated by a greater intake in the mid-afternoon and evening. This trend was seen across sex and social class, although women and adults with a non-manual occupation reported greater energy, carbohydrate and non-starch polysaccharide intake at breakfast in 1982 and had a higher protein intake in the evening compared with men and adults with a manual occupation.CONCLUSIONS:The timing of energy and nutrient intake has shifted slightly over time, with a greater proportion of intake later in the day. The association between the observed sex and occupational social class differences in eating profiles and chronic disease warrants investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study for the first time confirms the presence of plasma bullets in a MHz argon atmospheric pressure plasma jet. Bullet characteristics are investigated by phase-resolved optical emission measurements. Regarding the jet's reactive component output, its ozone production rates are investigated by two independent diagnostic techniques yielding complementary results. The first method--UV-absorption spectroscopy in the Hartley band--determines space-resolved distribution of the ozone concentration in the jet effluent. The second method--quantum cascade laser-absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared spectral region--yields high sensitivity results of the average ozone concentration in a multipass cell, in which the effluent is directed. The results of both diagnostic techniques show excellent agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By investigating the atomic oxygen density in its effluent, two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF) spectroscopy measurements are for the first time performed in a cold argon/oxygen atmospheric pressure plasma jet. The measurements are carried out in ambient air and quenching by inflowing air species is considered. We propose a novel absorption technique in the VUV spectral range, where emission originating from within the discharge is used as light source to determine the inflow of atmospheric oxygen into the effluent. Furthermore, we propose a modelling solution for the on-axis density of inflowing ambient air based on the stationary convection-diffusion equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]