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This scientific paper presents a role-based aspect of chatbots in the educational field, covering certain of their advantages and disadvantages. Future trends in their development are presented. The use and implementation of chatbots in an automated information system for process management in the educational field is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an approach of Document Object Model database record management component user interface (UI) creation. Mainstream of UI development approaches concentrates in few directions, omitting holistic view on the fundamental database operations. The proposed solution uses method lay on of standard clauses adopted by the ECMA Script edition sixth and above. The program logic for the UI component was built with the intention - The existing functionality of such UI component to be extended and complemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptorchidism is defined as the extra-scrotal position of the testes. It is a common disorder in male children, but rarely in adult patients. The association of cryptorchidism with hernia is a common finding in childhood, but is not frequent in adults or the elderly. Herein, we report a series of three cases (28-, 24-, and 34-year-old men) of adult inguinal hernia combined with cryptorchidism successfully managed by laparoscopic surgery under the same operative view. Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair and orchiectomy were performed in all patients. No complications occurred in the postoperative period, and the patients were discharged on the first or second postoperative day. Pathological examination of the specimens revealed atrophic testes without malignancy. No hernia recurrence was observed during follow-up. The laparoscopic approach in the combined pathology of inguinal hernia and cryptorchidism is feasible in adult patients and has multiple advantages in terms of diagnosis and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a database of lunar fractured boulders (Rüsch & Bickel, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3847/psj/acd1ef), we found boulders with reflectance features dissimilar to previously known morphologies. We performed a photo‐geologic investigation and determined that the features correspond to a dust mantling on top of boulders with a unique photometric behavior. We next performed a photometric model inversion on the dust mantling using Bayesian inference sampling. Modeling indicates that the dust photometric anomaly is most likely due to a reduced opposition effect, whereas the single scattering albedo is not significantly different from that of the nearby background regolith. This implies a different structure of the dust mantling relative to the normal regolith. We identified and discussed several potential processes to explain the development of such soil. None of these mechanisms can entirely explain the multitude of observational constraints unless evoking anomalous boulder properties. Further study of these boulders can shed light on the workings of a natural dust sorting process potentially involving dust dynamics, a magnetic field, and electrostatic dust transport. The presence of these boulders appears to be limited to the Reiner K crater near the Reiner Gamma magnetic and photometric anomaly. This close spatial relationship further highlights that poorly understood processes occur in this specific region of the Moon. Plain Language Summary: The study of rocks on the surface of the Moon is important to understand the processes forming and modifying the lunar crust as well as the processes modifying rocks after their formation. The lunar rocks resting on the surface can be studied by imaging them with an orbital camera and analyzing their shape and reflectance. Here we report on the finding of a new type of brightness feature on rocks. This finding was made possible by scrutinizing a catalog of split lunar rocks. The brightness feature is found to be unique because of its rare occurrence, localization limited to near the Rainer Gamma magnetic anomaly, and association with some but not all rocks of the crater Reiner K. The feature is a dust deposit with a potentially uncommon physical structure. Key Points: In a catalog of lunar boulder images, we find a new type of reflectance feature associated with bouldersThe feature is likely a dust mantling with unique photometric propertiesSeveral formation scenarios are discussed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two decision support systems have been used to re-analyze the Fukushima accident emissions: the European Realtime Online Decision Support System for Nuclear Emergency Management (RODOS, version JRodos 2019)—providing a set of modules for the dispersion of nuclides following atmospheric and aquatic releases, dosimetry modules for dose estimation to individuals and communities for all exposure pathways with application of countermeasures, and modules for time estimation of the radiological situation in inhabited and agricultural areas—and CBRNE Platform, developed by IFIN-HH within a research project on anticipative and prognostic evaluation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive events (CBRNE), which is a tool for effect diagnosis functions, response measures and consecutive recommendation for a large variety of scenarios. We have reproduced the event on both systems, using accident time weather data and updated source terms. Current and initial results were cross-compared and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients with locally advanced grade 2–3 extremity/truncal soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are at high risk of recurrence. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) in selected grade 2–3 patients with limb or trunk wall STS, and to compare this schedule to a sequential approach combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively included patients who underwent neoadjuvant cCRT at two comprehensive cancer centers from 1992–2016. We then compared these results to those of patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy from a third comprehensive cancer center with a propensity score matched analysis. Results: A total of 53 patients were treated by neoadjuvant cCRT; 58 patients could be matched with 29 patients in each treatment group after propensity score matching. Disease-free survival and overall survival at 5 years were 54.9 and 63.5%, respectively with neoadjuvant cCRT, with no significant difference when compared to the sequential treatment group. R0 resection rate was higher (90.9 vs 44.8%, p < 0.01) in the cCRT group than in the sequential treatment group during a shorter therapeutic sequence (118 vs 210.5 days, p < 0.01), with no impact on the surgical procedure or postoperative complications. Conclusion: cCRT is feasible with acceptable immediate and late toxicities. It could facilitate surgery by increasing the R0 resection rate and improve patient compliance by shortening the therapeutic sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare and aggressive connective tissue neoplasms for which curative therapeutic opportunities are limited in advanced phase. Clinical trials assessing immunotherapy in these tumors have so far reported limited efficacy. The objective of this study is to provide a description of the immunologic landscape of sarcomas to guide the next clinical trials of immunotherapy in these diseases. The gene expression profile of 93 immune checkpoint (ICP) and membrane markers (MM) of immune cells was analyzed in a series of 253 soft tissue sarcoma (synovial sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, sarcoma with complex genomic and GIST) using Agilent Whole Human Genome Microarrays. The unsupervised hierarchical clustering of gene expression level was found able to properly group patients according to the histological subgroup of sarcoma, indicating that each sarcoma subgroup is associated with a specific immune signature defined by its gene expression pattern. Using the prognostic impact of CIBERSORT signature on metastatic-free survival in each subgroup, specific target could be proposed for each of the four groups: Treg through ICOS and GITR in GIST, M0 macrophages in all four sarcoma subtypes, OX40 in SS, CD40 in GIST and SS. The immune landscape of sarcoma was found to be as heterogeneous as the histotypes and molecular subtypes, but strongly correlated to the histotype. Histotype adapted immunotherapeutic approaches in each sarcoma subtypes must be considered in view of these results, consistently with the already reported specific response of histotypes of ICPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on social processes in the production of scientific output suggests that the collective research agenda of a discipline is influenced by its structural features, such as “invisible colleges” or “groups of collaborators” as well as academic “stars” that are embedded in, or connect, these research groups. Based on an encompassing dataset that takes into account multiple publication types including journals and chapters in edited volumes, we analyze the complete co-authorship network of all 1,339 researchers in German political science. Through the use of consensus graph clustering techniques and descriptive centrality measures, we identify the ten largest research clusters, their research topics, and the most central researchers who act as bridges and connect these clusters. We also aggregate the findings at the level of research organizations and consider the inter-university co-authorship network. The findings indicate that German political science is structured by multiple overlapping research clusters with a dominance of the subfields of international relations, comparative politics and political sociology. A small set of well-connected universities takes leading roles in these informal research groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annual Eastern Canadian Colorectal Cancer Consensus Conference held in Montreal, Quebec, 17-19 October 2013, marked the 10-year anniversary of this meeting that is attended by leaders in medical, radiation, and surgical oncology. The goal of the attendees is to improve the care of patients affected by gastrointestinal malignancies. Topics discussed during the conference included pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, and metastatic colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (su PAR) reflects inflammation. However, the prognostic value of su PAR measurements, particularly at the very early onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome ( SIRS), is less well defined. Methods The prognostic potential of su PAR levels in patients with SIRS was evaluated. From November 2010 until April 2013, 902 adult patients presenting with SIRS were investigated. Blood samples for laboratory testing of inflammation markers were collected simultaneously with initial blood cultures. su PAR testing was performed using su PARnostic© assay. Results Analyses of receiver operating characteristics curves revealed areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.818 for predicting overall mortality within 48 h (36/902 patients died), 0.739 for 30-day mortality (117/902 died) and 0.706 for predicting 90-day mortality (151/902 died). AUCs for procalcitonin (0.777, 0.671 and 0.638), interleukin-6 (0.709, 0.593 and 0.569) and C-reactive protein (0.66, 0.594 and 0.586) as well as renal function and age were markedly lower. Using multivariable regression analyses, suPAR levels ( P < 0.001) remained significant predictors of 48-h mortality, whereas suPAR levels ( P < 0.001) and bacteraemia ( P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively) remained significant predictors of 30- and 90-day mortality. Using Kaplan-Meier survival plots, patients with suPAR <9.15 ng mL−1 at SIRS onset had a clear benefit. Conclusion su PAR plasma level determined at early SIRS is predictive for mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Procalcitonin ( PCT) has previously been proposed as useful marker to rule out bloodstream-infection ( BSI). The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of different PCT cut-offs for prediction of BSI in patients with community ( CA)- and hospital-acquired ( HA)- BSI. Methods A total of 898 patients fulfilling systemic-inflammatory-response-syndrome ( SIRS) criteria were enrolled in this prospective cohort study at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. Of those 666 patients had positive blood cultures (282 CA- BSI, 384 HA- BSI, enrolled between January 2011 and December 2012) and 232 negative blood cultures (enrolled between January 2011 and July 2011 at the emergency department). Blood samples for determination of laboratory infection markers (e.g. PCT) were collected simultaneously with blood cultures. Results Procalcitonin was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in SIRS patients with bacteremia/fungemia than in those without. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.675 for PCT (95% CI 0.636-0.714) for differentiating patients with BSI from those without. AUC for IL-6 was 0.558 (95% CI 0.515-0.600). However, even at the lowest cut-off evaluated (i.e. 0.1 ng/ml) PCT failed to predict BSI in 7% ( n = 46) of patients. In the group of patients with SIRS and negative blood culture 79% ( n = 185) had PCT levels > 0.1. Conclusion Procalcitonin was significantly higher in patients with BSI than in those without and superior to IL-6 and CRP. The clinical importance of this is questionable, because a suitable PCT threshold for excluding BSI was not established. An approach where blood cultures are guided by PCT only can therefore not be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2012, an extraordinary rise in Puumala infections causing nephropathia epidemica (NE) was observed in southern Austria. We investigated differences in epidemiology, clinical presentation, laboratory results, treatment parameters, and outcome between patients in 2012 and previous years (2007-2011). All patients diagnosed with Puumala virus infections between 2007 and 2012 using a point of care Puumala IgM test at the microbiology laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, were included. In 2012, 42 and in 2007-2011 a total of 40 patients were diagnosed with NE. In 2007-2011, patients presented more frequently with arthromyalgias (25 % vs 7 %, p = 0.027), while lower back pain was reported more often in 2012 (21 % vs 5 %, p = 0.029). Other symptoms occurred at the same rate. In 2012, patients were diagnosed significantly faster (time from first contact with a physician to diagnosis 1.3 ± 0.2 vs 2.7 ± 0.4 days, p = 0.01). Significantly fewer patients required haemodialysis in 2012 (2.4 % vs 20 %, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in laboratory parameters between the two groups. In the peak year 2012, patients were diagnosed faster and fewer patients required haemodialysis possibly because of the earlier diagnosis and earlier onset of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Reliable and rapid diagnosis of influenza A H1N1 is essential to initiate the appropriate antiviral therapy and preventive measures. As PCR assays are time-consuming and rapid antigen tests have a limited sensitivity, official influenza case definitions are used in many clinical settings. These, however, are based exclusively on clinical criteria and have only a moderate potential to differentiate between influenza and other febrile diseases. Only limited data on the differences in clinical and laboratory parameters between influenza and non-influenza febrile diseases are available to date. Methods: This was a retrospective case-negative control series that was conducted in Styria, southeast Austria. We analyzed the differences in clinical presentation and laboratory admission parameters between patients with PCR-confirmed H1N1 influenza infection ( n = 199) and those with influenza-like disease and negative influenza PCR results (ILD group; n = 252). Results: In the multivariable analysis lower C-reactive protein (CRP) level, lower white blood cell (WBC) count, fever, wheezing, cough, and the absence of nausea or sudden onset remained significant predictors of H1N1 influenza in adult patients ( n = 263). Lower CRP level, lower WBC count, and cough remained significant predictors in pediatric patients (<16 years; n = 188). Conclusion: Lower CRP level, lower WBC count, and cough were significant predictors of H1N1 in both the adult and pediatric patient group. These data may help to develop an improved case definition for suspected H1N1 infection which combines clinical findings and easily available laboratory parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Paired blood cultures, drawn from the catheter and a peripheral vein, used for calculation of the differential time to positivity (DTP), have been proposed for the detection of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). The most relevant catheter lumen to be sampled in multi-lumen central venous catheters (CVCs) has not been recommended. Methods: Forty-four febrile neutropaenic patients, following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and with multi-lumen CVCs in place, were investigated using the DTP method of blood samples drawn from every lumen of the CVC and a peripheral vein. Results: Twelve of 44 patients (27 %) had CRBSIs, as determined by the DTP method. In 10 of 12 (83 %) febrile neutropaenic patients, after HSCT, CRBSIs originated from the CVC lumen used for parenteral nutrition and blood products only. 17 % had CRBSI originating from the other CVC lumen ( p = 0.039). Conclusion: In most patients, CRBSIs originated from the CVC lumen used for parenteral nutrition and blood products, indicating that this lumen is the main source of CRBSI. However, since 17 % of patients had CRBSIs originating from another lumen, each lumen of multi-lumen CVCs has to be considered as a potential source of CRBSI and should, ideally, be sampled in order to avoid failure in diagnostic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annual Eastern Canadian Colorectal Cancer Consensus Conference was held in Ottawa, Ontario, October 22-23, 2010. Health care professionals involved in the care of patients with colorectal cancer participated in presentation and discussion sessions for the purpose of developing the recommendations presented here. This consensus statement addresses current issues in the management of colorectal cancer, such as the use of epidermal growth factor inhibitors in metastatic colon cancer, the benefit of calcium and magnesium with oxaliplatin chemotherapy, the role of microsatellites in treatment decisions for stage II colon cancer, the staging and treatment of rectal cancer, and the management of colorectal and metastatic pancreatic cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation and changed land use have seriously reduced population size in many tropical forest tree species. Formerly widespread species with limited gene flow may be particularly vulnerable to the negative genetic effects of forest fragmentation and small population size. Vateriopsis seychellarum (Dipterocarpaceae) is a formerly widespread canopy tree of the Seychelles, but is now reduced to 132 adult individuals distributed in eleven sites. Using ten microsatellite loci, a genetic inventory of all adult trees and a sample of 317 progeny, we demonstrate that despite its restricted range, overall genetic diversity was relatively high ( HE: 0.56). The juvenile cohort, however, had significantly lower allelic richness (adults RS: 3.91; juveniles RS: 2.83) and observed heterozygosity than adult trees (adults HO: 0.62; juveniles HO: 0.48). Rare alleles were fewer and kinship between individuals was stronger in juveniles. Significant fine-scale spatial genetic structure was observed in remnant adults, and parentage analysis indicated that more than 90% of sampled progeny disperse <25 m and pollen dispersed <50 m. The molecular data confirmed that two populations were derived entirely from self-fertilized offspring from a single surviving mother tree. These populations produce viable offspring. Despite this extreme genetic bottleneck, self-compatibility may provide V. seychellarum with some resistance to the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation, at least in the short term. We discuss our findings in the context of other rare and threatened dipterocarp species which are vulnerable to miss-management of genetic resources and population fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation spectra represent inherently quantized data in the form of stacked channels of equal width. The spectrum is an experimental measurement of the discrete probability density function (PDF) of the detector pulse heights. The quantization granularity of the spectra depends on the total number of channels covering the full range of pulse heights. In analog pulse processing the total number of channels is equal to the total number of digital values produced by a spectroscopy analog-to-digital converter (ADC). In digital pulse processing each detector pulse is sampled and quantized by a fast ADC producing a certain number of quantized numerical values. These digital values are linearly processed to obtain a digital quantity representing the peak of the digitally shaped pulse. Using digital pulse processing it is possible to acquire a spectrum with the total number of channels greater than the number of ADC values. Noise and sample averaging are important in the transformation of ADC quantized data into spectral quantized data. Analysis of this transformation is performed using an area sampling model of quantization. Spectrum differential nonlinearity (DNL) is shown to be related to the quantization at low noise levels and a small number of averaged samples. Theoretical analysis and experimental measurements are used to obtain the conditions to minimize the DNL due to quantization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeded Localized Averaging (SLA) is a spectrum acquisition method that averages pulse-heights in dynamic windows. SLA sharpens peaks in the acquired spectra. This work investigates the transformation of the original probability density function (PDF) in the process of applying the SLA procedure. We derive an analytical expression for the resulting probability density function after an application of SLA. In addition, we prove the following properties: 1) for symmetric distributions, SLA preserves both the mean and symmetry. 2) for unimodal symmetric distributions, SLA reduces variance, sharpening the distribution's peak. Our results are the first to prove these properties, reinforcing past experimental observations. Specifically, our results imply that in the typical case of a spectral peak with Gaussian PDF the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the transformed peak becomes narrower even with averaging of only two pulse-heights. While the Gaussian shape is no longer preserved, our results include an analytical expression for the resulting distribution. Examples of the transformation of other PDFs are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare plant species are vulnerable to genetic erosion and inbreeding associated with small population size and isolation due to increasing habitat fragmentation. The degree to which these problems undermine population viability remains debated. We explore genetic and reproductive processes in the critically endangered long-lived tropical tree Medusagyne oppositifolia, an endemic to the Seychelles with a naturally patchy distribution. This species is failing to recruit in three of its four populations. We evaluate whether recruitment failure is linked to genetic problems associated with fragmentation, and if genetic rescue can mitigate such problems. Medusagyne oppositifolia comprises 90 extant trees in four populations, with only the largest (78 trees) having successful recruitment. Using 10 microsatellite loci, we demonstrated that genetic diversity is high ( HE: 0.48-0.63; HO: 0.56-0.78) in three populations, with only the smallest population having relatively low diversity ( HE: 0.26 and HO: 0.30). All populations have unique alleles, high genetic differentiation, and significant within population structure. Pollen and seed dispersal distances were mostly less than 100 m. Individuals in small populations were more related than individuals in the large population, thus inbreeding might explain recruitment failure in small populations. Indeed, inter-population pollination crosses from the large donor population to a small recipient population resulted in higher reproductive success relative to within-population crosses. Our study highlights the importance of maintaining gene flow between populations even in species that have naturally patchy distributions. We demonstrate the potential for genetic and ecological rescue to support conservation of plant species with limited gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents several aspects believed to be relevant for the integration in the decision support systems for the management of radiological emergencies, of assessment tools addressing surface water contamination. Three exemplary cases are discussed in the context—the CONVEX 2005 international alert exercise, AXIOPOLIS 09, a national drill targeting a CANDU reactor at Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania, and Oltenia 07—a nation-wide drill around a scenario, involving trans-border effects of a virtual accident at a VVER reactor at Kozloduy, Bulgaria. The capability of different analytic tools were tested, including public deliverables like real-time, online decision support system's HDM module and model-based computerised system for management support to identify optimal remedial strategies for restoring radionuclide-contaminated aquatic ecosystems and drainage areas, as well as research-grade, home-made facilities, in order to identify and sort out merits and issues of interest in steering their effective utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OBJECTIVE: To report problems implementing a data quality programme in osteoporosis. DESIGN: Analysis of data extracted using Morbidity Information Query and Export Syntax (MIQUEST) from participating general practices' systems and recommendations of practitioners who attended an action research workshop. SETTING: Computerised general practices using different Read code versions to record structured data. PARTICIPANTS: 78 practices predominantly from London and the south east, with representation from north east, north west and south west England. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients at risk can be represented in many ways within structured data. Although fracture data exists, it is unclear which are fragility fractures. T-scores, the gold standard for measuring bone density, cannot be extracted using the UK's standard data extraction tool, MIQUEST; instead manual searches had to be implemented. There is a hundredfold variation in data recording levels between practices. Therapy is more frequently recorded than diagnosis. A multidisciplinary forum of experienced practitioners proposed that a limited list of codes should be used. CONCLUSIONS: There is variability in inter-practice data quality. Some clinically important codes are lacking, and there are multiple ways that the same clinical concept can be represented. Different practice computer systems have different versions of Read code, making some data incompatible. Manual searching is still required to find data. Clinicians with an understanding of what data are clinically relevant need to have a stronger voice in the production of codes, and in the creation of recommended lists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the case of a 52-year-old Caucassian male with gastrointestinal graft versus host disease (GvHD) and was diagnosed of Geosmithia argillacea infection, a fungal infection.

Malignant solitary fibrous tumors are rare soft-tissue sarcomas. They are considered as low-grade malignancies, but may display metastatic potential in 20 % of the cases. In case of metastatic or locally advanced, unresectable disease, standard treatments, like anthracycline-based regimens, are poorly effective. Previous studies suggested that antiangiogenic drugs, such as sorafenib, could be efficient to treat vascular sarcomas and solitary fibrous tumors. Five patients with progressive SFT were included in this phase 2 study, and treated with sorafenib at a dose of 800 mg daily. Two patients out of the five achieved a 9 months disease control with sorafenib, while their disease had progressed within the month preceding their inclusion. Consequently, our data suggest a potential efficacy of sorafenib in SFT, Further investigation is needed to confirm these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of an 81-year-old man who underwent upper endoscopy for heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Endoscopy showed multiple ulcers in the upper gastrointestinal tract of the patient. The article discusses the possible visceral dissemination of herpes zoster on patients without immunodeficiency.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a case of a 45-year old Caucasian woman who was treated with prophylactic oseltamivir to prevent viral transmission of the novel influenza (A) H1N1 2009 virus from a donor-recipient.