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In this paper, we present an activity to introduce the idea of public-key cryptography and to make pre-service STEM teachers explore fundamental informatics and mathematical concepts and methods. We follow the Theory of Didactical Situations within the Didactical Engineering methodology (both widely used in mathematics education research) to design and analyse a didactical situation about asymmetric cryptography using graphs. Following the phases of Didactical Engineering, after the preliminary analysis of the content, the constraints and conditions of the teaching context, we conceived and analysed the situation a priori, with a particular focus on the milieu (the set of elements students can interact with) and on the choices for the didactical variables. We discuss their impact on the problem-solving strategies the participants need to elaborate to decrypt an encrypted message. We implemented our situation and collected qualitative data. We then analysed a posteriori the different strategies that participants used. The comparison of the a posteriori analysis with the a priori analysis showed the learning potential of the activity. To elaborate on different problem-solving strategies, the participants need to explore and understand several concepts and methods from mathematics, informatics, and the frontier of the two disciplines, also moving between different semiotic registers.

Anatomical education is pivotal for medical students, and innovative technologies like augmented reality (AR) are transforming the field. This study aimed to enhance the interactive features of the "AEducAR" prototype, an AR tool developed by the University of Bologna, and explore its impact on human anatomy learning process in 130 second-year medical students at the International School of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Bologna. An interdisciplinary team of anatomists, maxillofacial surgeons, biomedical engineers, and educational scientists collaborated to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the study's objectives. Students used the updated version of "AEducAR," named "AEducAR 2.0," to study three anatomical topics, specifically the orbit zone, facial bones, and mimic muscles. "AEducAR 2.0" offered two learning activities: one explorative and one interactive. Following each activity, students took a test to assess learning outcomes. Students also completed an anonymous questionnaire to provide background information and offer their perceptions of the activity. Additionally, 10 students participated in interviews for further insights. The results demonstrated that "AEducAR 2.0" effectively facilitated learning and students' engagement. Students totalized high scores in both quizzes and declared to have appreciated the interactive features that were implemented. Moreover, interviews shed light on the interesting topic of blended learning. In particular, the present study suggests that incorporating AR into medical education alongside traditional methods might prove advantageous for students' academic and future professional endeavors. In this light, this study contributes to the growing research emphasizing the potential role of AR in shaping the future of medical education.

Abstract Maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to negative health and developmental outcomes in offspring. However, whether maternal ACEs influence infant weight gain in the first months of life, and if this effect differs by infant sex, remains unclear. This study included 352 full-term newborns from low-risk pregnancies and their mothers in low-income settings in Brazil. Anthropometric data (weight, length, head circumference) and other information (feeding type, offspring sex, family income) were collected at delivery (W0), discharge (W1), and up to 8 weeks postpartum (W2). ACEs were assessed using the CDC-Kaiser Questionnaire, and weight gain was calculated as the difference between W2 and W1, divided by the number of days between measurements. The association between maternal ACEs and offspring weight gain was positive only in male offspring (unstandardized coefficient (male) = 1.82, SE = 0.438, p

Abstract Permafrost thaw poses diverse risks to Arctic environments and livelihoods. Understanding the effects of permafrost thaw is vital for informed policymaking and adaptation efforts. Here, we present the consolidated findings of a risk analysis spanning four study regions: Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), the Avannaata municipality (Greenland), the Beaufort Sea region and the Mackenzie River Delta (Canada) and the Bulunskiy District of the Sakha Republic (Russia). Local stakeholders’ and scientists’ perceptions shaped our understanding of the risks as dynamic, socionatural phenomena involving physical processes, key hazards, and societal consequences. Through an inter- and transdisciplinary risk analysis based on multidirectional knowledge exchanges and thematic network analysis, we identified five key hazards of permafrost thaw. These include infrastructure failure, disruption of mobility and supplies, decreased water quality, challenges for food security, and exposure to diseases and contaminants. The study’s novelty resides in the comparative approach spanning different disciplines, environmental and societal contexts, and the transdisciplinary synthesis considering various risk perceptions.

Abstract Ensemble methods aggregate predictions from multiple models, typically demonstrating improved accuracy and reduced variance compared to individual classifiers. However, they often come with significant memory usage and computational time requirements. A novel quantum algorithm that leverages quantum superposition, entanglement, and interference to construct an ensemble of classification models using bagging as an aggregation strategy is introduced. Through the generation of numerous quantum trajectories in superposition, the authors achieve B transformations of the training set with only logB operations, allowing an exponential enlargement of the ensemble size while linearly increasing the depth of the corresponding circuit. Moreover, when assessing the algorithm's overall cost, the authors demonstrate that the training of a single weak classifier contributes additively to the overall time complexity, as opposed to the multiplicative impact commonly observed in classical ensemble methods. To illustrate the efficacy of the authors’ approach, experiments on reduced real‐world datasets utilising the IBM qiskit environment to demonstrate the functionality and performance of the proposed algorithm are introduced.

RESUMO Este estudo analisa a presença online de marcas globais de moda à luz do novo luxo. Identificando resistências tradicionais à integração digital, destaca-se que seis das nove marcas pesquisadas adotam estratégias condizentes com o novo luxo, enfatizando interação, diálogo e venda de produtos premium no mercado brasileiro. Observa-se um compromisso crescente com a sustentabilidade, especialmente nas marcas Louis Vuitton e Dior, que incorporam ações ambientais e sociais em suas plataformas online. A análise de redes sociais (ARS) revela a interconexão entre os conceitos de luxo e sustentabilidade. Limitações incluem a amostragem restrita a marcas de moda e a falta de pesquisa sobre a exclusividade nas plataformas digitais. O estudo destaca a importância da compreensão aprofundada do engajamento das marcas de luxo na internet para orientar estratégias de marketing digital na pós-modernidade.

Summary: Background: In a recent randomized trial, six months of financial incentives contingent for recent alcohol abstinence led to lower levels of hazardous drinking, while incentives for recent isoniazid (INH) ingestion had no impact on INH adherence, during TB preventive therapy among persons with HIV (PWH). Whether the short-term incentives influence long-term alcohol use and HIV viral suppression post-intervention is unknown. Methods: We analyzed twelve-month HIV viral suppression and alcohol use in the Drinkers’ Intervention to Prevent Tuberculosis study, a randomized controlled trial among PWH with latent TB and unhealthy alcohol use in south-western Uganda. We randomly assigned 680 participants (1:1:1:1) initiating six months of INH to: Arm 1, no incentives (control); Arm 2, financial incentives contingent on recent alcohol abstinence; Arm 3, incentives contingent on recent INH use; and Arm 4, incentives for recent alcohol abstinence and INH use, rewarded separately. The 6 months post-intervention outcomes evaluated were pre-specified and included: HIV viral suppression (95%) at baseline and at 12 months: we found no effect of either 6-month alcohol reduction or INH adherence incentives on long-term viral suppression. Six months of alcohol reduction incentives were effective at promoting no/low alcohol use at 12 months, demonstrating persistent effects post-intervention. Funding: National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIAAA) U01AA026223 (PI: Hahn) and U01AA026221 (PI: Chamie), NIH/NIAAA K24 AA022586 (PI: Hahn), NIH/NIAAA K24 AA031211 (PI: Chamie), Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research P30AI042853 (PI: Sara Lodi).

BackgroundMedical simulations have emerged as a valuable tool in anatomical-medical training, allowing healthcare professionals to gain hands-on experience in a controlled and safe environment. One such simulation platform is SimLife®, which uses the Pulse for Practice (P4P) system to enable realistic restoration of airflow (“re-ventilation”) and blood flow (“revascularization”) in bodies donated to science.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of introducing SimLife® technology in Italy. Additionally, it assessed the impact of this technology across various medical specialties, utilizing a minimal number of donated bodies.MethodsThe study utilized the existing body donation program and dissection rooms at the Anatomy Center of the University of Bologna. 62 participants from 13 medical specialties performed simulations using the SimLife® P4P platform. Post-simulation, structured interviews were used to collect data on the interventions performed, participant perceptions of the technology’s usefulness, enjoyment, and willingness to repeat the experience, as well as critical issues encountered.ResultsKey findings include that 86% of participants rated SimLife® technology as extremely useful for post-lauream training, while 84% found it highly beneficial for team-building activities. A total of 31 interventions were successfully performed across various anatomical regions, with participants reporting high satisfaction and a strong willingness to repeat the simulation experience.ConclusionThe findings support the effectiveness of SimLife® technology for body donor re-ventilation and revascularization, reinforcing its value for medical training across various specialties.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery ectasias and aneurysms (CAE/CAAs) are among the less common forms of coronary artery disease, with undefined long-term outcomes and treatment strategies. AIMS: To assess the clinical characteristics, angiographic patterns, and long-term outcomes in patients with CAE, CAA, or both. METHODS: This 15-year (2006–2021) retrospective single-centre registry included 281 patients diagnosed with CAE/CAA via invasive coronary angiography. Major adverse cardiovascular events included all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unplanned ischaemia-driven revascularisation, hospitalisation for heart failure, cerebrovascular events, and clinically overt bleeding. Time-dependent event risks for the CAE and CAA groups were assessed using Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: CAEs (n = 161, 57.3%) often had a multi-district distribution (45.8%), while CAAs (78, 27.8%) exhibited a single-vessel pattern (80%). The co-existence of CAAs and CAE was observed in 42 cases (14.9%), and multi-vessel obstructive coronary artery disease was prevalent (55.9% overall). Rates of major adverse cardiovascular events were 14.3% in-hospital and 38.1% at a median follow-up of 18.9 (interquartile range [IQR] 6.0–39.9) months. The presence of CAAs was associated with increased major adverse cardiovascular events risk in comparison to CAE (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38–3.69, p = 0.001), driven by a higher hazard ratio of non-fatal myocardial infarctions (HR = 5.00, 95% CI 1.66–15.0, p = 0.004) and unplanned ischaemia-driven revascularisation in both dilated (HR = 3.23, 95% CI 1.40–7.45, p = 0.006) and non-dilated coronary artery segments (HR 3.83, 95% CI 2.08–7.07, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overlap between obstructive and dilated coronary artery disease is frequent. Among the spectrum of dilated coronary artery disease, the presence of a CAA was associated with worse long-term outcomes.

This paper accompanies the Maps of Geohazard features of the Cilento and the Calabro-Tyrrhenian continental margin in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). The main geohazard-related features were derived from extensive seafloor mapping through the collection of high-resolution multibeam data acquired during several oceanographic cruises. They encompass many fluids seepage features, fault scarps, landslides scars, gullies, channels, and canyons. Hazards related to coastal landslides and shelf-indenting canyons are very high in these sectors (especially in southern Calabria) due to active seismicity coupled with rapid uplift, high sedimentation rates and narrow or totally absent continental shelf, thus promoting a direct connection between steep slopes and coastal areas. In this setting, mass-wasting features can directly impact coastal or submarine infrastructures or indirectly create local tsunami waves, as observed in historical times. Moreover, this physiographic setting of the margin facilitates the transfer of marine litter toward deep-sea areas.

This study used an analytical computational model to evaluate safe zones in contaminated areas that may result from a hypothetical significant off-site release from a nuclear power plant. The model, considering local atmospheric stability, wind direction, and location, calculates the expected total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) and potential safety zones. This research, focused on an area near a nuclear facility affected by an accidental release, used SCALE and HotSpot Health Physics codes to simulate the reactor’s core inventory content and off-site release. This study’s findings underscore that the risk of developing solid cancer (testing morbidity) is influenced by both local atmospheric stability and the composition of the potentially affected population (primarily age and sex). These findings, backed by an analytical approach, can significantly influence logistical and operational planning. The utilization of computer simulations can also aid in creating flexible response scenarios to real events.

Abstract This opinion deals with the re‐evaluation of saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts (E 954) as food additives. Saccharin is the chemically manufactured compound 1,2‐benzisothiazol‐3(2H)‐one‐1,1‐dioxide. Along with its sodium (Na), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) salts, they are authorised as sweeteners (E 954). E 954 can be produced by two manufacturing methods i.e. Remsen‐Fahlberg and Maumee. No analytical data on potential impurities were provided for products manufactured with the Maumee process; therefore, the Panel could only evaluate saccharins (E 954) manufactured with the Remsen‐Fahlberg process. The Panel concluded that the newly available studies do not raise a concern for genotoxicity of E 954 and the saccharins impurities associated with the Remsen‐Fahlberg manufacturing process. For the potential impurities associated with the Maumee process, a concern for genotoxicity was identified. The data set evaluated consisted of animals and human studies. The Panel considered appropriate to set a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI) and considered the decrease in body weight in animal studies as the relevant endpoint for the derivation of a reference point. An ADI of 9 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, expressed as free imide, was derived for saccharins (E 954). This ADI replaces the ADI of 5 mg /kg bw per day (expressed as sodium saccharin, corresponding to 3.8 mg /kg bw per day saccharin as free imide) established by the Scientific Committee on Food. The Panel considered the refined brand‐loyal exposure assessment scenario the most appropriate exposure scenario for the risk assessment. The Panel noted that the P95 exposure estimates for chronic exposure to saccharins (E 954) were below the ADI. The Panel recommended the European Commission to consider the revision of the EU specifications of saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts (E 954).

With the increasing demand for compact, lightweight, cost‐effective, and high‐performance radiofrequency (RF) devices, the development of low‐profile antennas becomes crucial. This article presents a study of a novel carbon–cellulose‐based paste intended for screen printing RF devices. The investigation specifically explores the application of high‐reactivity carbon mixture (HRCM) particles as conductive fillers. The results demonstrate that optimal electrical conductivity values and discrete electromagnetic dipole performances can be achieved at lower concentrations of solid conductive material compared to conventional pastes, for similar applications. This offers benefits in terms of total cost, material consumption, and environmental impact. The paste formulation showcases a complex non‐Newtonian behavior, where yielding flow and thixotropicity are found to be independent and dependent on preshear conditions, respectively. This behavior can be attributed to the network orientation and rearrangement of filler structures within the paste system, which in turn are responsible for filler pattern uniformity and overall printing quality. Compared to traditional conductive materials, HRCM pastes are proven to be a viable alternative for RF devices fabrication, including printed Wi‐Fi antennas.

The Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome (BHDs) can cause benign skin lesions like fibrofolliculomas as well as additional systemic symptoms like pulmonary cysts, kidney tumors, and recurrent pneumothoraces. We report the successful treatment of fibrofolliculomas in a patient with BHDs using a combination of fractionated ablative CO2 laser and a Flash Lamp Pulsed Dye Laser (FPDL). This combined method improves the CO2 healing process's functional and cosmetic results; while the first wavelength (ablative) has a greater capacity for excision and tissue regeneration, the second wavelength (non-ablative) provides more control over the tissue healing process. The lesions were successfully ablated up to the papillary dermis without leading to an enhancement in the overall textural appearance. Therefore, deeper laser ablations may be able to stop dermal residual lesion relapses. In conclusion, fractionated CO2 laser and FPDL can be used safely and effectively to reduce the appearance of facial hamartomas related to BHDs.

Introduction Lafora disease (LD) is an ultrarare fatal progressive myoclonic epilepsy, causing drug-resistant epilepsy, myoclonus and psychomotor deterioration. LD is caused by mutations in EPM2A or NHLRC1, which lead to the accumulation of polyglucosans in the brain and neurodegeneration. There are no approved treatments for LD. VAL-1221 is a fusion protein comprising the Fab portion of a cell-penetrating antibody and recombinant human acid alpha glucosidase, and has demonstrated an ability to clear polyglucosans. We hypothesise that intravenous infusion of VAL-1221 might be able to degrade cerebral polyglucosans and stabilise or improve disease outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of VAL-1221 in patients with LD.Methods and analysis The study is a phase 2, single-arm, open-label, baseline-controlled clinical trial which will be conducted in a single investigational study centre in Italy, namely the sponsor ‘IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna—Azienda USL di Bologna’. The study will enrol six genetically confirmed patients with mid- to late-stage LD. The global duration of the study for each participant will be 18 months, including screening period, open-label treatment (12 months) and follow-up period. VAL-1221 20 mg/kg will be administered as an intravenous infusion every week for 3 weeks, then every other week. Patients will undergo full clinical assessments at baseline, at an intermediate and at the end-of-treatment visit. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety. The exploratory efficacy endpoints will be related to epilepsy, neuropsychological and motor functions, global assessment and disease burden, in addition to biomarkers. Statistical analyses will be primarily descriptive.Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee (number 232-2023-FARM-AUSLBO-23020, 22 March 2023). The results of this study will be disseminated by the investigators through presentations at international scientific conferences and reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals.Trial registration number European Union Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT 2023-000185-34).

L. donovani and L. infantum infections are associated with a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic cases to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) with high mortality rates. Clinical manifestations such as post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and visceral leishmaniasis-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-mimic (VL-associated HLH-mimic) further contribute to the diversity of clinical manifestations. These clinical variations are intricately influenced by the complex interplay between the host’s immune response and the parasite’s escape mechanisms. This narrative review aims to elucidate the underlying immunological mechanisms associated with each clinical manifestation, drawing from published literature within the last 5 years. Specific attention is directed toward viscerotropic Leishmania sinfection in patients with inborn errors of immunity and acquired immunodeficiencies. In VL, parasites exploit various immune evasion mechanisms, including immune checkpoints, leading to a predominantly anti-inflammatory environment that favors parasite survival. Conversely, nearly 70% of individuals are capable of mounting an effective pro-inflammatory immune response, forming granulomas that contain the parasites. Despite this, some patients may experience reactivation of the disease upon immunosuppression, challenging current understandings of parasite eradication. Individuals living with HIV and those with inborn errors of immunity present a more severe course of infection, often with higher relapse rates. Therefore, it is crucial to exclude both primary and acquired immune deficiencies in patients presenting disease relapse and VL-associated HLH-mimic. The distinction between VL and HLH can be challenging due to clinical similarities, suggesting that the nosological entity known as VL-associated HLH may represent a severe presentation of symptomatic VL and it should be considered more accurate referring to this condition as VL-associated HLH-mimic. Consequently, excluding VL in patients presenting with HLH is essential, as appropriate antimicrobial therapy can reverse immune dysregulation. A comprehensive understanding of the immune-host interaction underlying Leishmania infection is crucial for formulating effective treatment and preventive strategies to mitigate the disease burden.