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Single-case design (SCD) is a quantitative experimental technique in which participants serve as their own control. The use of an effect size in SCD allows evaluation of outcomes as well as comparison of outcomes via meta-analyses. Characteristics of SCD research make the selection of an appropriate effect size complicated. Additionally, there are a number of factors that complicate the use of SCDs as a means to improve academic skills. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns by which SCD effect sizes are used to quantify outcomes from academic interventions. To do so, a descriptive analysis of an extant database of SCD studies was conducted. The authors created frequency tables for each effect size identified in the database as well as graphs to show the extent to which the use of effect sizes changed over time. The authors also determined whether the most frequently used effect sizes were appropriate for summarizing changes in academic outcomes. Although many effect sizes have been developed, only a small number are routinely used in SCD research for academic skills. The most frequently used effect sizes were those that come from standardized statistics, compared with those that utilized principles of regression or Bayesian analysis.

Female faculty remain a minority in academic research and women are often perceived to lack the qualities needed to be successful scientists, which may contribute to discrimination and prejudice against female researchers. Research administrators play a pivotal role in the development of strategic, catalytic, and capacity-building activities designed to encourage faculty in attracting extramural research funding. The purpose of this investigation was to explore whether research administrators evaluate extramural grant applicants differently based on gender and different career ranks. Contrary to previous research examining faculty gender biases and stereotypes, our study showed that applicants were rated similarly in researcher competence across both male and female applicants by research administrators (Hypothesis 1). Our research also showed that female candidates were generally seen as more likeable (researcher collegiality) and were rated higher for mentoring potential than male candidates (Hypothesis 2). Furthermore, consistent with prior research, findings suggest that those in the senior career rank were more highly rated for research competence and skill (Hypothesis 3). Although we did not list a formal hypothesis, our findings did support the notion that senior career rank applicants are more highly rated for biosketch design and comprehension, most likely due to their perceived competence and advanced experience. These findings, while preliminary, suggest that traditional barriers related to perceived female researcher competence are not experienced as they interact with research administrators. The main implication of this study is that research administrators do not appear to significantly contribute to the previously reported discrimination and prejudice against the competence of female researchers.

Abstract Mendelian Randomization studies indicate that BMI contributes to various diseases, but it’s unclear if this is entirely mediated by BMI itself. This study examines whether disease risk from BMI-associated sequence variants is mediated through BMI or other mechanisms, using data from Iceland and the UK Biobank. The associations of BMI genetic risk score with diseases like fatty liver disease, knee replacement, and glucose intolerance were fully attenuated when conditioned on BMI, and largely for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and hip replacement. Similar attenuation was observed for chronic kidney disease and stroke, though results varied. Findings were consistent across sexes, except for myocardial infarction. Residual effects may result from temporal BMI changes, pleiotropy, measurement error, non-linear relationships, non-collapsibility, or confounding. The attenuation extent of BMI genetic risk score on disease associations suggests the potential impact of reducing BMI on disease risk.

Abstract Current tests of hearing fail to diagnose pathologies in ~10% of patients seeking help for hearing difficulties. Neural ensemble responses to perceptually relevant cues in the amplitude envelope, termed envelope following responses (EFR), hold promise as an objective diagnostic tool to probe these ‘hidden’ hearing difficulties. But clinical translation is impeded by current measurement approaches involving static amplitude modulated (AM) tones, which are time-consuming and lack optimal spectrotemporal resolution. Here we develop a framework to rapidly measure EFRs using dynamically varying AMs combined with spectrally specific analyses. These analyses offer 5x improvement in time and 30x improvement in spectrotemporal resolution, and more generally, are optimal for analyzing time-varying signals with known spectral trajectories of interest. We validate this approach across several mammalian species, including humans, and demonstrate robust responses that are highly correlated with traditional static EFRs. Our analytic technique facilitates rapid and objective neural assessment of temporal processing throughout the brain that can be applied to track auditory neurodegeneration using EFRs, as well as tracking recovery after therapeutic interventions.

Abstract Background Current digital medical databases record systematically coded diagnoses, but many legacy databases are full of hand-written, free text diagnoses, which can only be meaningfully analysed after mapping them to a coding system. While diagnoses can be extracted from full medical notes with good accuracy, no algorithm using only an unstructured free text diagnosis with no additional data has been published to date. Objectives/methods Therefore, we sought to create an algorithm which maps hand-written German diagnoses from our clinical photography database to ICD-10 diagnosis codes, validate its output manually by dermatologists and analyse diagnosis counts over time as a proof-of-concept of its application. Results Our rule-based algorithm mapped 50,884 unprocessed hand-written German free-text diagnoses covering five decades to ICD-10 codes, while reaching an accuracy of 82% against 817 dermatologist-validated diagnoses. Out of 41,021 data points with the highest algorithm confidence the top 3 identified diagnosis classes were psoriasis, eczema, and non-melanoma skin cancer. The number of ICD-10 codes belonging to chronic inflammatory diseases showed a seasonal pattern with peaks in July, and when analysed aggregated by year, peaks correlated to events such as new therapy classes for these diseases. Conclusion Using the presented algorithm, it is possible to reliably match hand-written free text of German dermatological diagnoses to ICD-10 codes, thus enabling systematic analysis of legacy databases, making past medical knowledge accessible to today’s patient care.

Background: Human-animal interactions in human services are on the rise, with an increased focus on the welfare of animals involved as well as on client safety. Based on scientifically based training methods, it has been proposed that horses involved in therapy settings could benefit from learning proactive strategies to reduce stress. One possible strategy is audible exhale communication (AEC). Inviting horses to actively use this strategy with humans could enhance the welfare of horses in equine-assisted therapy (EAT), thereby increasing client safety., Methods: A pilot project was conducted to test the feasibility of training 20 therapy horses to use AEC as a veto signal for an activity, while therapists responded to the signals. The number of audible exhales from the horses was compared between the initial and final training sessions. Furthermore, we tested whether age, years of training experience, and therapy experience served as moderating variables for the outcome. Additionally, qualitative observations were made by therapists working with the horses., Results: It has become apparent that training the horses to use AEC was successful. After 6 months of training, the horses showed a significantly higher number of audible exhales than in the initial training session, with a large effect size. Neither age nor years of training or therapy experience was found to be a moderating variable. The horses were eagerly engaged with newly acquired tools. These showed fewer indications of stress, greater sense of relaxation, and more positive emotions., Conclusion: Based on the findings of this pilot study, training horses to use AEC might be a feasible approach to reduce stress in horses working in therapeutic settings, increase client safety, enhance human-animal relationships, and open up new possibilities for improving the therapeutic process. This method is applicable to all horses, regardless of their age, training level, or experience in therapy. For future research, it would be interesting to replicate and extend the approach by addressing the aforementioned limitations and using a randomized controlled design to investigate the introduction and impact of AEC in a therapeutic setting and to gain more comprehensive insights.

Abstract Sarcoidosis is a rare and elusive chronic inflammatory disease. It can manifest itself in any organ, but preferentially affects the lungs and the skin. Our case of an elderly woman with cutaneous and pulmonary sarcoidosis presented with exacerbated itchy, scaly skin changes to our department. The clinical and histopathological findings were consistent with sarcoidosis and eczematized psoriasis. The case represents a unique presentation of sarcoidosis with cutaneous involvement and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to overlapping clinical features and histology covering the three diagnoses. We discuss the immunological complexities underlying this overlap and resulting possible treatment options, highlighting the role of dermatology in systemic autoimmune diseases involving the skin and the need for pathophysiology-based tailored management approaches in these diseases.

Abstract Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, inpatient nurses faced various work stressors. Little is known about organizational interventions that can mitigate the negative consequences of pandemic-related stressors. Objective The aim was to provide a synopsis of the literature concerning the types and outcomes of organizational interventions performed during the COVID-19 pandemic that directly (re)organized the work structures of inpatient nurses to address pandemic-related work stressors or to increase nurses’ ability to cope. Methods Within this preregistered systematic literature review, we searched four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL) and two preprint databases (MedRxiv, PsyArXiv) for interventional studies of organizational interventions published between 01/2020 and 03/2023 (k = 990 records). We included 12 primary studies after title-abstract and full-text screening. A synthesis of results without meta-analysis was conducted. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials – version 2 (RoB-2) and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Results All interventions were implemented in hospitals. The reasons given for implementation included pandemic-related work stressors such as a high workload, understaffing, and a lack of medical resources. To respond to the various work stressors, half of the studies took a multilevel approach combining organizational and person-oriented interventions (k = 6). Most studies (k = 8) took a secondary prevention approach, focusing on the organization of rest breaks (k = 5). With respect to outcomes, the studies examined nurse-related stress and resilience, turnover intention, job satisfaction, and other factors. Risk-of-bias analyses revealed that conclusions about the effectiveness of the interventions are limited due to confounding factors and self-selection. Conclusions The identified interventions provide a basis for future research to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of organizational interventions during pandemics. The promotion of adequate work breaks could be useful if the work stressors associated with strain and negative consequences cannot be changed directly. However, the same stressors (e.g., high workload) can hinder nurses from participating in offered interventions. This emphasizes the importance of directly addressing inpatient nurses’ work stressors. Registration Prospero-ID CRD42023364807 (March 2023).

Abstract Background Since skin cancer incidence and prevalence are rising steadily, the prevention of skin cancer has gained importance. People with high sun exposure at work are at special risk, and prevention measures by the employer may lower the risk, especially for keratinocyte carcinoma. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of a large‐scale skin cancer screening campaign at the city drainage company Munich where the cohort consisted mainly of outdoor workers. Methods In 2023, a skin cancer screening campaign was conducted at the city drainage company Munich. Sun exposure and protection measures of each participant were assessed using a questionnaire. Dermatologists identified clinical signs for sun damage and skin cancer by whole‐body skin examination. Results A total of 290 participants (72.8% male; mean age 43.7 ± 11.5 years) were enroled. 36.6% showed clinical signs of sun damage correlating with male gender, higher age, and more hours spent outdoors per day. Clinical examination revealed a suspect finding of skin cancer, a preliminary stage, or a lesion requiring clinical control to avoid skin cancer development in 19.3% of participants. Participants with atypical melanocytic lesions were mostly female and showed a high skin cancer awareness. This was concluded from the fewer signs of sun damage, a higher percentage of previous screening participation, and more regular self‐examination. Conclusions Whole‐body examination for skin cancer screening at work is a valuable tool to encourage participation in this preventive measure. It may help identify people at risk either by clinical signs for sun damage or risk exposure which can be assessed with a simple questionnaire. Based on this result, the screening interval may be adopted individually.

The global burden of skin diseases affects over 3 billion individuals, posing important public health challenges worldwide, with profound impacts in both high-income and low-income and middle-income countries. These challenges are exacerbated by widespread disparities in access to dermatologic care and the prevalence of misinformation. This article, derived from the Skin and Digital Summit at the International Master Course on Aging Science critically evaluates how digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, teledermatology, and large language models can bridge these access gaps. It explores practical applications and case studies demonstrating the impact of these technologies in various settings, with a particular focus on adapting solutions to meet the diverse needs of low-income and middle-income countries. In addition, the narrative highlights the ongoing conversation within the dermatologic community about the role of digital advances in health care, emphasizing that this discussion is dynamic and the one that is continuously evolving. Dermatologists play an essential role in this transition, integrating digital tools into mainstream care to complement a patient-centered, culturally sensitive approach. The article advocates for a globally coordinated digital response that not only addresses current disparities in skin health care but also promotes equitable access to digital health resources, making dermatologic care more representative of all skin types and accessible worldwide.

Abstract This exploratory qualitative study aims to gain a people-centered understanding of the patient journey in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 individuals diagnosed with axSpA, aged 18 years and older, who were purposively recruited from a rheumatologic practice in southern Germany. The interviews were carried out as web-based video calls between September and October 2021, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed according to Kuckartz’s qualitative content analysis. Patient journey narratives encompassed both healthcare journeys and personal journeys. Healthcare journeys were characterized as fragmented and difficult to navigate, with diagnosis often marking a turning point toward more coordinated care. Post-diagnosis, new challenges emerged (e.g., time management for treatment). Personal journeys comprised perceptions of axSpA in social contexts (e.g., stigmatization) and the continuous interplay of comorbidities and biographical events with healthcare related to axSpA. This study proposes a people-centered perspective on the patient journey in axSpA, emphasizing the interplay of biographies, comorbidities, and social context with healthcare events. Recognizing these personal factors in clinical practice is encouraged to address complex health needs and tailor treatment to each individual. Further efforts should promote collaboration between medical disciplines and integrate healthcare and social support at all stages of the axSpA patient journey.

Abstract Web search data are associated with disease incidence, population interest, and seasonal variations. This study aimed to investigate seasonal and geographical variations of web search data for sarcoidosis and to explore its association with external factors and sarcoidosis incidence in Sweden. Therefore, sarcoidosis-related data from Google Ads Keyword Planer (2017–2020) were generated for Sweden according to its 21 counties. The relationship between search volume and season, region, population demographics, environmental factors, and the sarcoidosis incidence listed in the National Patient Register was assessed. Analyses revealed seasonal variations for Sweden with an overall peak in the spring and autumn. Geographical differences were observed, with a higher search volume for north-western counties and the lowest search volume for Stockholm County. At the country level, the search volume was positively associated with the sarcoidosis incidence. Higher male proportion and older mean age were associated with a higher search volume, while a higher proportion of foreign-born residents, humidity, and mean temperature were associated with a lower search volume. Our analyses detected correlations between web search data, sarcoidosis incidence, and external factors. Analyses of sarcoidosis web search data therefore appear to be a valuable approach to disease surveillance to address medical needs and public interest.

Silje Zink,1,2 Ingvild Kjeken,1,2 Marte Feiring1,2 1Diakonhjemmet Hospital, REMEDY Center for Treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Health Service Research and Innovation Unit, Oslo, Norway; 2Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, NorwayCorrespondence: Silje Zink, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, REMEDY Center for Treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Health Service Research and Innovation Unit, Postboks 23 Vinderen, Oslo, 0319, Norway, Email silje.zink@diakonsyk.noPurpose: The pressure on professionals within the healthcare workforce is increasing due to staffing shortages, economic demands and changing care models. Through boundary work theories, our study explores how task-shifting in hand osteoarthritis (OA) care impacts the professional boundaries and division of labor between rheumatologists and occupational therapists (OTs) in Norwegian specialist healthcare.Methodology: Seventeen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted at two hospitals in Norway. Participants included ten rheumatologists and five OTs. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: The analysis resulted in three themes (1) Forms of responsibility and task transfers, (2) Circumventing the rules to ensure efficient practices and appropriate patient care, (3) Broadening and specializing; movement of professional demarcations. Overall, we found that medical tasks in hand OA care are increasingly delegated to, and adopted by, OTs, blurring the rheumatologist-OT boundary. Some of the task delegations skirted Norwegian legal boundaries, in efforts to streamline clinic operations. OTs expanded their scope of practice by adopting new tasks, whereas rheumatologist increased their specialist status by shedding unwanted tasks.Conclusion: Task shifting between rheumatologists and OTs in hand OA care was characterized by boundary blurring activities. The results support a shift in hand OA management from rheumatologists to OTs.Keywords: professional boundaries, boundary work, interprofessional collaboration, hand osteoarthritis

Abstract Background Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) uses [177Lu]Lu-[DOTA0-Tyr3]octreotate ([177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE) to treat patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) overexpressing the somatostatin receptor 2A (SSTR2A). It has shown significant short-term improvements in survival and symptom alleviation, but there remains room for improvement. Here, we investigated whether combining [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE with chemotherapeutics enhanced the in vitro therapeutic efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE. Results Transfected human osteosarcoma (U2OS + SSTR2A, high SSTR2A expression) and pancreatic NET (BON1 + STTR2A, medium SSTR2A expression) cells were subjected to hydroxyurea, gemcitabine or triapine for 24 h at 37oC and 5% CO2. Cells were then recovered for 4 h prior to a 24-hour incubation with 0.7–1.03 MBq [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (25 nM) for uptake and metabolic viability studies. Incubation of U2OS + SSTR2A cells with hydroxyurea, gemcitabine, and triapine enhanced uptake of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE from 0.2 ± 0.1 in untreated cells to 0.4 ± 0.1, 1.1 ± 0.2, and 0.9 ± 0.2 Bq/cell in U2OS + SSTR2A cells, respectively. Cell viability post treatment with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in cells pre-treated with chemotherapeutics was decreased compared to cells treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE monotherapy. For example, the viability of U2OS + SSTR2A cells incubated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE decreased from 59.5 ± 22.3% to 18.8 ± 5.2% when pre-treated with hydroxyurea. Control conditions showed no reduced metabolic viability. Cells were also harvested to assess cell cycle progression, SSTR2A expression, and cell size by flow cytometry. Chemotherapeutics increased SSTR2A expression and cell size in U2OS + SSTR2A and BON1 + STTR2A cells. The S-phase sub-population of asynchronous U2OS + SSTR2A cell cultures was increased from 45.5 ± 3.3% to 84.8 ± 2.5%, 85.9 ± 1.9%, and 86.6 ± 2.2% when treated with hydroxyurea, gemcitabine, and triapine, respectively. Conclusions Hydroxyurea, gemcitabine and triapine all increased cell size, SSTR2A expression, and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE uptake, whilst reducing cell metabolic viability in U2OS + SSTR2A cells when compared to [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE monotherapy. Further investigations could transform patient care and positively increase outcomes for patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE.

Abstract In recent years, the gauge group U 1 L μ − L τ $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$ has received a lot of attention since it can, in principle, account for the observed excess in the anomalous muon magnetic moment (g − 2) μ , as well as the Hubble tension. Due to unavoidable, loop-induced kinetic mixing with the SM photon and Z, the U 1 L μ − L τ $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$ gauge boson A ′ can contribute to stellar cooling via decays into neutrinos. In this work, we perform for the first time an ab initio computation of the neutrino emissivities of white dwarf stars due to plasmon decay in a model of gauged U 1 L μ − L τ $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$ . A key result is that current observations of the early-stage white dwarf neutrino luminosity at the 30% level exclude previously allowed regions of the parameter space favoured by a simultaneous explanation of the (g – 2) μ and H 0 anomalies. In this work, we present the relevant white dwarf cooling limits over the entire A ′ mass range. In particular, we have performed a rigorous computation of the luminosities in the resonant regime, where the A ′ mass is comparable to the white dwarf plasma frequencies.

Abstract Mortality of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has remained high during the consecutive SARS-CoV-2 pandemic waves. Early discrimination of patients at high mortality risk is crucial for optimal patient care. Symmetric (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) have been proposed as possible biomarkers to improve risk prediction of COVID-19 patients. We measured SDMA, ADMA, and other L-arginine-related metabolites in 180 patients admitted with COVID-19 in four German university hospitals as compared to 127 healthy controls. Patients were treated according to accepted clinical guidelines and followed-up until death or hospital discharge. Classical inflammatory markers (leukocytes, CRP, PCT), renal function (eGFR), and clinical scores (SOFA) were taken from hospital records. In a small subgroup of 23 COVID-19 patients, sequential blood samples were available and analyzed for biomarker trends over time until 14 days after admission. Patients had significantly elevated SDMA, ADMA, and L-ornithine and lower L-citrulline concentrations than controls. Within COVID-19 patients, SDMA and ADMA were significantly higher in non-survivors (n = 41, 22.8%) than in survivors. In ROC analysis, the optimal cut-off to discriminate non-survivors from survivors was 0.579 µmol/L for SDMA and 0.599 µmol/L for ADMA (both p

The research administration profession is in a time of significant change. The traditional jack-of-all-trades role has become more fragmented into specialized advanced roles, with a more recent focus on research development. Workflows are increasingly becoming more electronically automated. The introduction of graduate degrees and professional certifications has introduced a new complexity within the office hierarchy. Moreover, recent global events have shifted the profession into a remote working environment, causing industry-wide voluntary employee turnover as employees consider new opportunities, work/ life balance, and cost of living ramifications. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to capture research administrators' experiences within four research questions: 1) how is a traditional research administration professional role defined today; 2) how does the chain of command respond to new professional roles; 3) how has the standardization of professional knowledge through education and certifications impacted the workforce; and 4) how does the distribution of tasks become fluid to get work done between the different research administration professionals? Practical implications of this research include understanding that traditional research administrator roles are flat with no hierarchy or room for professional growth within the individual or collective research offices. The creation of promotion opportunities in order to provide professionals a pathway to rise in ranks and achieve higher titles and commensurate wages is vital to the future success of the profession. Another practical implication of this research is the call to begin raising awareness of the professional certifications outside of the research administrative profession in order to gain further distinction and notoriety within the research landscape. The increased need for educational degrees, especially doctoral-level work, in order to gain academic reputation is restrictive to the future of the profession. The profession of Research Administration is in a time of rapid expansion. The aim of this study is to clarify the development of new professional roles in research administration. In doing so, this research maps the emerging extended professional roles and provides insight into the social and administrative processes that drive the development of these extended roles.

Background: The West Bank has been under military occupation since 1967. When the Israeli army attacked Gaza after October 7th, 2023, the situation in the occupied West Bank became much worse. We interviewed Palestinian physicians about practicing under occupation and how the Gaza War has impacted their professional and personal lives. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024 and involved 15 individual interviews by reaching out to networks of practicing physicians across the West Bank, purposefully sampling physicians in different geographic locations in hospital and clinic-based practices. The data were analyzed with inductive coding and organized into themes. Results: Violence and the threat of violence affected many elements of life and health. Restricted mobility, financial hardship, educational challenges, and fear about safety and the future affected physical and psychological health, making patients sicker and physicians' jobs harder. Lack of medications and treatments worsened chronic medical conditions. Mental health care was in demand due to acute stress and persistent trauma. Physicians struggle fulfilling their professional commitment to care for patients. They worried about the future and struggled to care for their families. Conclusion: Life under occupation on the West Bank has become harsher and more violent with the Gaza War. The chronic exposure to trauma and ongoing uncertainty about the future impact physicians and the next generation of healthcare professionals who will care for their traumatized population. Despite the violations of international codes physicians continued to “honor their duties” to their patients and students.

In less than a decade, additive manufacturing technologies have been developed so successfully that they already produce small and medium-sized lot sizes of prototypes or customised components in the industry. With its new possibilities such as combining materials and technologies, the benefits of different technologies can be merged and broaden future application fields. One way is to print with one technology on a part produced by another. Thus, a thermally bonded part composed of, e.g., selectively sintered and material-extruded components can be created. This combination of technologies was considered in this study to investigate the bonding strength of extrusion-based layers on selectively sintered surfaces and the impact of nozzle temperature, orientation, and thickness of imprinted materials. The extrusion-based layers covered stiff (fibre-reinforced polyamide) and soft (thermoplastic polyurethane) material properties with pre-cracked single-leg bending (SLB) specimens to study their effect on delamination tendencies. This combination of materials and additive manufacturing technologies has not yet been studied for the SLB testing method. The scope of this study is to obtain more information on how relatively hard-hard and hard-soft combinations behave for this special testing method. The results of this testing method were evaluated using two different fracture mechanical approaches to determine the energy release rate. A clear trend towards an improved bonding, thus, higher values, was found for higher nozzle temperatures. Furthermore, a limitation regarding the required bending stiffness of the composites was found. Overall, the single-leg bending testing method enables a relative ranking for material combinations with a certain bending stiffness.

IntroductionOsteoporotic vertebral fractures are a major cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality among the elderly. Traditional methods for fracture risk assessment, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), may not fully capture the complex factors contributing to fracture risk. This study aims to enhance vertebral fracture risk prediction by integrating radiomics features extracted from computed tomography (CT) scans with clinical data, utilizing advanced machine learning techniques.MethodsWe analyzed CT imaging data and clinical records from 124 patients, extracting a comprehensive set of radiomics features. The dataset included shape, texture, and intensity metrics from segmented vertebrae, alongside clinical variables such as age and DXA T-values. Feature selection was conducted using a Random Forest model, and the predictive performance of multiple machine learning models—Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Support Vector Machines, and XGBoost—was evaluated. Outcomes included the number of fractures (N_Fx), mean fracture grade, and mean fracture shape. Incorporating radiomics features with clinical data significantly improved predictive accuracy across all outcomes. The XGBoost model demonstrated superior performance, achieving an R2 of 0.7620 for N_Fx prediction in the training set and 0.7291 in the validation set. Key radiomics features such as Dependence Entropy, Total Energy, and Surface Volume Ratio showed strong correlations with fracture outcomes. Notably, Dependence Entropy, which reflects the complexity of voxel intensity arrangements, was a critical predictor of fracture severity and number.DiscussionThis study underscores the potential of radiomics as a valuable tool for enhancing fracture risk assessment beyond traditional clinical methods. The integration of radiomics features with clinical data provides a more nuanced understanding of vertebral bone health, facilitating more accurate risk stratification and personalized management in osteoporosis care. Future research should focus on standardizing radiomics methodologies and validating these findings across diverse populations.

This paper reports on a monolithically integrated gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based photonic integrated circuit platform for wavelengths around 1064 nm. Enabled by spatially selective quantum well removal and two-step epitaxial growth, it supports on-chip gain as well as passive waveguides. In addition, shallow- and deep-etched waveguides are realized. The former result in waveguide losses of less than 2 dB/cm, while the latter enable compact integrated waveguide components. To demonstrate the performance of the platform, racetrack ring resonators based on deep-etched Euler bends and shallow-etched directional couplers are realized, achieving high intrinsic quality factors of 2.6 × 105 and 3.2 × 105 for the fundamental TE and TM mode, respectively. To demonstrate the use of these resonators, ring-resonator-coupled lasers are fabricated, resulting in one-sided output powers of up to 14 mW and single-mode operation with 40 dB side-mode suppression. The successful integration of ring resonators on a GaAs-based active/passive photonic integrated circuit platform paves the way for the realization of fully monolithic, widely tunable, and narrow linewidth ring-resonator-coupled laser sources.