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Saturation effects are one of the main challenges arising in rotor position estimation for a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). In this article, a method to cope with saturation effects for self-sensing control (SSC) of PMSMs is derived analytically. The applied SSC algorithm is based on a numerical optimization of a residual, which includes the inductance matrix of the machine. By taking the cross-coupling between the $d$- and $q$-axis into account, not only is the estimation error minimized, but also the application of SSC is enabled at heavily saturated operating points. This is achieved by using the additional information provided by the mutual inductance, which is used to model the cross-coupling. Furthermore, harmonic estimation errors caused by saturation effects are eliminated by applying a simplified analytical model of the harmonic components to the inductance matrix. With these approaches, the effects of saturation on the quality of the SSC are significantly reduced. Since both of these methods rely on exact knowledge of the machine's inductances, a technique to determine these is provided. All results are validated experimentally.

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have become multipurpose luminophores that combine a broad excitation with a narrow emission spectrum. Applications in displays, lighting, or solar-energy conversion, however, require quantum dots that have a photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) approaching unity. This need makes the accurate, precise, and verifiable determination of the photoluminescence efficiency of QDs of utmost importance for the field. Here, we describe photothermal threshold quantum yield as a calorimetric method for measuring the PLQY of QDs in liquid dispersions. Taking the example of InP-based core/shell QDs, we detail the principles behind the analysis, and we benchmark results relative to the spectroscopic determination using an absolute PLQY measurement with an integrating sphere. We argue that the accuracy of the method for highly efficient emitters, and the simplicity of the data and the data analysis make photothermal threshold quantum yield well suited for certifying the photoluminescence efficiency of QDs.

The present study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with symptomatic carotid web treated at a single institution in South America.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is used to modulate neuronal activity, but the exact mechanism of action (MOA) is unclear. This study investigates tDCS-induced modulation of the corticospinal excitability and the underlying MOA. By anesthetizing the scalp before applying tDCS and by stimulating the cheeks, we investigated whether stimulation of peripheral and/or cranial nerves contributes to the effects of tDCS on corticospinal excitability.

Introduction:Kidneys of marginal quality are increasingly being used to overcome the shortage of donor organs. However, accurate prediction of outcome is needed to optimize the use of these kidneys. We aimed to test the performance of a recently proposed score consisting of delayed graft function (DGF), renal function recovery (RFR), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 mL/min per 1.73 m290 days after transplantation for risk assessment of patient and graft survival. Material and Methods:A total of 221 adult brain death donors with marginal kidneys transplanted into 223 recipients within Eurotransplant were included in the analysis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to assess death-censored and all-cause censored graft failure and recipient mortality at 1 and 3 years. Results:Recipients with DGF had a higher risk of death-censored graft loss (HR, 95% CIs: 3.058 [1.195–7.825]). Recipients with a GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2at 90 days after transplantation had a higher risk of death censored and all-cause graft failure (HR, 95% CIs: 2.122 [1.129–3.990] and 2.122 [1.129–3.990]). None of the three components of the proposed score was associated with a higher risk of mortality. Conclusion:DGF and estimated GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2but not RFR at 90 days predicted graft failure after transplantation of marginal kidneys. However, no combination of these factors was able to predict short-term patient and graft survival.

We report on an 11 year old Polish girl who experienced paroxysmal episodes with decreased consciousness, (hemi)plegia, movement disorders, slurred speech, dysphagia, and abnormal eye movements. An extensive etiological work‐up (brain MRI, EEG, EMG, NCS, toxic, metabolic, infectious, and auto‐immune screening) was not conclusive. A genetic analysis with whole‐exome sequencing demonstrated a de novo heterozygous mutation in the ATP1A3gene (c.2232C>G, p.Asn744Lys). A 48 h video‐EEG monitoring that was conducted in our unit later confirmed the absence of ictal discharge during an episode of hemidystonia, demonstrating its non‐epileptic etiology. However, several discharges of generalized spike waves, which were facilitated by intermittent photic stimulation and eyelid closure were recorded, of which a few were associated with eyelid myoclonia. Taken together, these findings are characteristic of epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia. The clinical picture of this patient partially fulfills the diagnostic criteria of relapsing encephalopathy with cerebellar ataxia as well as alternating hemiplegia of childhood. It is increasingly recognized that the distinct syndromes described with ATP1A3mutations are overlapping and could be identified in the same patients. Certain variations in ATP1A3have been linked to an increased risk of developing generalized epilepsy syndromes. We hereby present the second case in the literature of a patient with epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia with an ATP1A3‐related neurological disorder.

Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) has emerged as the most popular online educational marketplace of the moment, but exactly how curriculum marketplaces support professional learning and classroom curriculum design is still an emerging area of inquiry in educational research. This paper explores the perspectives of six novice teachers on the supplemental teaching materials available on TPT. Through semi-structured think-aloud interviews, we identified tensions related to teachers’ landscapes of practice, institutional mistrust, perceived authoritativeness of TPT sellers, curriculum marketplaces as altruistic platforms, and the affordances and constraints of TPT for managing finite resources. Findings suggest that professionals who work with preservice and in-service teachers must reframe their discussion of curriculum marketplaces toward developing early-career teachers’ critical curriculum cultivation practices. Such reframing has the potential to influence how educators make use of online curriculum marketplaces, what resources they download, and how those resources are employed.

Despite the global recognition of domestic and family violence (DFV) as an outcome of unequal power relations between men and women, dominant frameworks for addressing DFV do not target the structural nature of the problem. Drawing on research conducted in partnership with the Federation of Community Legal Centres in Australia, we argue that a distinction needs to be made between what is genuinely structural change and what is system reform. Using intersectional feminist and decolonial theory and praxis, we reflect on what a structural approach to DFV could look like: one that confronts and actively tries to change the structural conditions that give rise to women's individual and collective vulnerability and victimization.

The widespread use of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (known as ChatGPT) and other emerging technology that is powered by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has drawn attention to the potential ethical issues they can cause, especially in high-stakes applications such as health care, but ethical discussions have not yet been translated into operationalisable solutions. Furthermore, ongoing ethical discussions often neglect other types of GenAI that have been used to synthesise data (eg, images) for research and practical purposes, which resolve some ethical issues and expose others. We did a scoping review of the ethical discussions on GenAI in health care to comprehensively analyse gaps in the research. To reduce the gaps, we have developed a checklist for comprehensive assessment and evaluation of ethical discussions in GenAI research. The checklist can be integrated into peer review and publication systems to enhance GenAI research and might be useful for ethics-related disclosures for GenAI-powered products and health-care applications of such products and beyond.

No evaluation of the quality of different carotid guidelines using validated scales has been performed to date. The present study aims to analyze 3 carotid stenosis guidelines, apprizing their quality and reporting using validated tools.

ABSTRACTThe dinoflagellate genus Bysmatrumis an unusual member of the Peridiniales and cannot be attributed to any known family. Bysmatrumdiffers from typical peridinialean genera in that the second and third anterior intercalary plates are separated and both antapical plates are asymmetrical. Currently, Bysmatrumencompasses six epibenthic or tide-pool species, but information on their genetic diversity and biogeography remains limited. In the present study, we obtained five strains of Bysmatrumfrom the South China Sea by isolating single cells and three strains from Ingril, a French Mediterranean lagoon by incubating sediments. Strains from Ingril Lagoon displayed the plate formula Po, cp, X, 4′, 3a, 7′′, 6C, 4S, 5′′′, 2′′′′. They also exhibited an elongated nucleus in the hypocone and a type B eyespot. Smooth and spherical cysts were produced in culture. Small and/or partially large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences were obtained for all eight strains. Molecular phylogeny was inferred using these concatenated sequences through maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Bysmatrum granulosumand B. subsalsumwere identified from Thailand and China for the first time, each of them comprising of two ribotypes. Bysmatrum ingrilense sp. nov. was monophyletic and closest to B. subsalsumribotype B. Pinnatoxin and related toxins were examined in two strains of Bysmatrum ingrilenseby LC-MS/MS, but none were detected. Our results highlight that the diversity of Bysmatrummight be underestimated.

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The large enriched germanium experiment for neutrinoless double beta decay (LEGEND) is a ton-scale experimental program to search for neutrinoless double beta ( $0\nu \beta \beta $ ) decay in the isotope $^{76}\textrm {Ge}$ by means of high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors operated in liquid argon (LAr). The observation of $0\nu \beta \beta $ decay would have major implications in the understanding of the origin of the matter in the universe and establish neutrinos as Majorana particles, i.e., their own antiparticles. In this framework, the LEGEND ultralow background integrated circuit for germanium detectors investigation (LUIGI) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) was designed. The ASIC technology enables the implementation of the whole charge sensitive amplifier (CSA) into a single low-mass chip. The LUIGI ASIC can play a key role to obtain good energy resolution (at 2039 keV, i.e., the $Q_{\beta \beta }$ value of the $^{76}\textrm {Ge} \; \beta \beta $ -decay, a value of $2.49 \; \pm \; 0.03\,\text {keV}$ full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) is obtained) and a high radiopurity which are the main requirements for the readout electronics in $0\nu \beta \beta $ decay experiments. It was designed featuring a low-noise CSA and an ON-chip low-dropout (LDO) regulator. (At a shaping time of $6\,\mu $ s, an energy resolution at the noise peak of 500 eV FWHM is measured.) Two different versions of the CSA were implemented. The LUIGI-internal reset (IR) variant has a dedicated compensation network and implements an integrated large-value resistor through an ICON cell. Instead, the LUIGI-feedback resistor (RF) variant works with a large value external RF. The LDO makes it possible to power the chip without bypass capacitors, which are not compliant with the radiopurity requirement. A dedicated line driver circuit drives the signal in a differential way over a distance of about 10 m.

Objectives:To examine the probability of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) reintervention following interrupted aortic arch (IAA) repair in neonates with LVOT obstruction (LVOTO) risk. Methods:This retrospective multicenter study included 150 neonates who underwent IAA repair (2003-2017); 100 of 150 (67%) had isolated IAA repair (with ventricular septal defect closure) and 50 of 150 (33%) had concomitant LVOT intervention: conal muscle resection (n = 16), Ross-Konno (n = 7), and Yasui operation (n = 27: single-stage n = 8, staged n = 19). Demographic and morphologic characteristics were reviewed. Factors associated with LVOT reoperation were explored using multivariable analysis. Results:Concomitant LVOT intervention was more likely in neonates with type B IAA, bicuspid aortic valve, aberrant right subclavian artery, smaller aortic valve annulus, and ascending aorta dimensions. On follow-up, five-year freedom from LVOT reoperation was highest following Ross-Konno (100%), 77% following Yasui (mainly for neo-aortic regurgitation), 77% following isolated IAA repair (mainly for LVOTO), and 47% following IAA repair with concomitant conal resection, P= .033. While all patients had low peak LVOT gradient at time of discharge, those who had conal resection developed higher gradients on follow-up (P= .007). Ross-Konno and Yasui procedures were associated with higher right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reoperation. In the cohort following isolated IAA repair, aortic sinus Z score was associated with LVOT reoperation. Conclusions:Both Yasui and Ross-Konno operations effectively mitigate late LVOTO risk. The highest risk of reintervention for LVOTO was associated with conal muscle resection while the lowest risk is associated with Ross-Konno. The RVOT reoperation risk in patients who had Ross-Konno or Yasui does not seem to affect survival.

Background: The WASH benefits Bangladesh trial multi-component sanitation intervention reduced diarrheal disease among children &lt; 5 years. Intervention components included latrine upgrades, child feces management tools, and behavioral promotion. It remains unclear which components most impacted diarrhea. Methods: We conducted mediation analysis within a subset of households (n = 720) from the sanitation and control arms. Potential mediators were categorized into indicators of latrine quality, latrine use practices, and feces management practices. We estimated average causal mediation effects (ACME) as prevalence differences (PD), defined as the intervention’s effect on diarrhea through its effect on the mediator. Results: The intervention improved all indicators compared to controls. We found significant mediation through multiple latrine use and feces management practice indicators. The strongest mediators during monsoon seasons were reduced open defecation among children aged &lt; 3 and 3–8 years, and increased disposal of child feces into latrines. The strongest mediators during dry seasons were access to a flush/pour-flush latrine, reduced open defecation among children aged 3–8 years, and increased disposal of child feces into latrines. Individual mediation effects were small (PD = 0.5–2 percentage points) compared to the overall intervention effect but collectively describe significant mediation pathways. Discussion: The effect of the WASH Benefits Bangladesh sanitation intervention on diarrheal disease was mediated through improved child feces management and reduced child open defecation. Although the intervention significantly improved latrine quality, relatively high latrine quality at baseline may have limited benefits from additional improvements. Targeting safe child feces management may increase the health benefits of rural sanitation interventions.

A marine amphoroid diatom, responsible for blooms in 2011 and 2019 in French Atlantic waters was studied using morphology and molecular phylogeny. The highest cell concentrations were reached in the region of Marennes Oléron on 19 August 2011 and were related to a greyish discolouration of gills of oysters and mussels. It was identified as Amphora ostreariavar. minorGrunow, based on morphological characteristics. To ensure the correct identification, type material was re-investigated, using the type slide n° 142 (Cleve & Möller 1878. Diatoms. Part II. Esatas Edquists Boktryckeri, Upsala: 49–108) that enabled us to establish the identity of the taxon. Plastid morphology corresponded to Mereschkowsky’s type 8 amphoroid chloroplast, a feature typical for the genus TetramphoraMereschkowsky. Results of a phylogenetic analysis inferred from a concatenated alignment including the nuclear marker SSU and the chloroplast rbcL indicated that A. ostreariavar. minorwas positioned inside the monophyletic clade Tetramphora(Mereschkowsky) Stepanek & Kociolek. This, together with the morphological data, necessitated a transfer of A. ostreariavar. minorGrunow to the genus Tetramphora(Mereschkowsky) Stepanek & Kociolek. In addition, the genetic distances (p-values) from SSU–rbcL sequences were estimated among the species of Tetramphoraincluding T. ostrearia,the generitype. These revealed that the divergence between Tetramphora ostrearia(Brébisson) Mereschkowsky and its variety minorwas higher than the mean value within species of the genus. As a consequence, the studied taxon is raised to the species level as Tetramphora minor(Grunow) Nézan, comb. et stat. nov. Toxin analysis of four strains of T. minorrevealed the absence of domoic acid production. Pigment analysis of T. ostreariarevealed a high fucoxanthin production, similar to other amphoroid species.

Dietary intake of Australian adolescents is suboptimal. Schools are an ideal setting for health promotion initiatives to develop healthy lifestyle behaviours among adolescents. However, we do not know which nutrition‐focused, school‐based interventions are effective at improving health outcomes in adolescents in Australia. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effect of nutrition interventions on health outcomes in Australian secondary school students. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC and Informit were systematically searched on 4th November 2022. Studies in any language evaluating nutrition interventions implemented in Australian secondary schools were included. Studies evaluating interventions conducted in primary schools or outside the school setting were excluded, as were any grey literature, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Thirteen studies (n= 27 224) reporting on nutrition interventions implemented in Australian secondary schools were included. Studies were conducted in five different states and a capital territory within Australia and were mostly randomised controlled trials. Most studies reported a significant improvement on nutrition‐related health outcome measures (dietary behaviour n= 6, nutritional knowledge and attitudes n= 4 and anthropometric n= 1). This review found limited studies reporting on nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools. However, most were shown to be effective in improving nutrition‐related health outcomes. Since there were limited studies in peer‐reviewed journals, more research in this area is needed to confirm the effectiveness of nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools and to assess long‐term effects on student's health outcomes.

AbstractMashing is a decisive brewing step, affecting wort quality. Critical mashing parameters include time, temperature, pH, mash density and oxygen uptake. While the pH-dependent biochemical changes during mashing have been researched, the oxidative processes remain unclear. This work explores the impact of pH conditions during mashing on the biochemical composition and oxidative properties of wort. In laboratory trials, mashing was conducted at different mashing-in pH (4.5, 5.0, 5.2, 5.4, 6.0). The sweet worts were analyzed for extract, fermentable sugars, limit dextrins, amino acids, soluble proteins, polyphenols, color, aldehydes, transition metals, reducing potential, and rate of radical formation. Differences were found in enzymatic activities (particularly proteolysis), color, aldehydes, transition metal ions, the rate of radical formation and the rate of oxygen consumption. Notably, when adjusting the pH at mashing-in, the obtained wort tends to gravitate toward the pH of the unadjusted wort, underscoring its buffering capacity. This was reflected by similar properties of the produced worts, indicating pH playing a lesser role during mashing compared to time/temperature. However, under extreme acidified conditions (pH 4.5 at mashing-in), the produced wort markedly deviates. An intriguing negative correlation between the reducing potential and the content of transition metal ions with the rate of radical formation is discussed.

A promising cell-therapy approach for heart failure aims at differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into functional cardiomyocytes (CMs) in vitro to replace the disease-induced loss of patients’ heart muscle cells in vivo. But many challenges remain for the routine clinical application of hPSC-derived CMs (hPSC-CMs), including good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant production strategies. This protocol describes the efficient generation of hPSC-CM aggregates in suspension culture, emphasizing process simplicity, robustness and GMP compliance. The strategy promotes clinical translation and other applications that require large numbers of CMs. Using a simple spinner-flask platform, this protocol is applicable to a broad range of users with general experience in handling hPSCs without extensive know-how in biotechnology. hPSCs are expanded in monolayer to generate the required cell numbers for process inoculation in suspension culture, followed by stirring-controlled formation of cell-only aggregates at a 300-ml scale. After 48 h at checkpoint (CP) 0, chemically defined cardiac differentiation is induced by WNT-pathway modulation through use of the glycogen-synthase kinase-3 inhibitor CHIR99021 (WNT agonist), which is replaced 24 h later by the chemical WNT-pathway inhibitor IWP-2. The exact application of the described process parameters is important to ensure process efficiency and robustness. After 10 d of differentiation (CP I), the production of ≥100 × 106CMs is expected. Moreover, to ‘uncouple’ cell production from downstream applications, continuous maintenance of CM aggregates for up to 35 d in culture (CP II) is demonstrated without a reduction in CM content, supporting downstream logistics while potentially overcoming the requirement for cryopreservation.

The heat capacity of yttrium(III) bromide (YBr3) in the temperature range from 2 K to 300 K has been determined using a Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). From these data the absolute entropy of the compound at 298.15 K has been derived.

Bei der Durchführung von klinischen Studien in der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin bestehen bei nichteinwilligungsfähigen Patient*innen unterschiedliche Ansichten von Mediziner*innen, Ethikkommissionen und Jurist*innen. Durch differente Ansichten über die Teilnahme von nichteinwilligungsfähigen Patient*innen wird damit zusätzlich die Vorbereitung und Durchführung von klinischen Prüfungen erschwert. Mittels entsprechender Literaturrecherche konnte ein Konsensmodell (Kölner Modell) durch klinisch forschende Ärzt*innen, Ethikkommission und Jurist*innen erstellt werden, dass sowohl Patient*innen, den für die Studie wissenschaftlich Verantwortlichen als auch Ethikkommissionen und Betreuungsrichter*innen ein Höchstmaß an Patient*innensicherheit sowie Rechtssicherheit bringt und gleichzeitig wissenschaftliche Forschung ermöglicht.

In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based covalent adaptable networks have been prepared in a one-pot, catalyst-free way in which dynamic β-amino esters (BAEs) are introduced via aza-Michael addition between available acrylate/amine-terminated PDMS-compounds. The straightforward introduction of those BAE-groups in such high-value elastomers provides the ability to relax the applied stress at elevated temperatures and hence the capability of reshaping the networks by compression molding at least 5 times without significant changes in properties. Moreover, the mechanical and dynamic properties are tunable by varying the cross-linker and/or filler content. Interestingly, the utilization of silica fillers not only enhances the network formation and mechanical properties but also accelerates the exchange reactions, resulting in twice faster stress relaxation at elevated temperatures while maintaining creep resistance at service temperatures.

Based on the applications, the polymer gears are paired with different gear pair combinations such as Polymer – Polymer, Polymer – Steel, and Steel – Polymer. Finite Element Analysis is one of the effective techniques utilized to investigate the contact stress behavior of those gear pairs. Depending upon the selected conditions, such as two-dimensional finite element analysis with plane stress, plane strain conditions, and 3D FEA, the surface and subsurface contact stress occurrence between the gear pairs were observed. And, no proper explanations have arrived on such behaviors till date. Thus, the present study aimed to do a detailed 2D and 3D FE analysis for various thermoplastic gears with different gear pair combinations (S – P, P – S, and P – P) and investigated the occurrence of surface-subsurface stresses among the selected gear pairs. A comparison was done between the 2D and 3D FE analysis and validated with the assumed condition with regard to the face width. A gear with face widths of 5 and 20 mm has opted to reproduce the 2D plane stress and plane strain conditions, and their results were compared with 3D FEA. The contact stress data were extracted at 10 subsequent face width planes along the face width of a gear tooth. Higher directional stresses were noticed at the gear tooth mid-surface and reduced stress on the edges of the gear tooth for all the thermoplastic materials paired with all gear pairs. Surface stress for 2D FEA and subsurface stress for 3D FEA were detected for all the gear pair combinations. The maximum stress occurrence of 5 mm face width Steel – PP, Steel – ABS, Steel – DELRIN, ABS – Steel, DELRIN – Steel gear pairs exhibit a minimum depth value of 0.135 mm whereas 20 mm face width PC – Steel gear pair exhibits a maximum depth value of 0.3 mm. The maximum contact stress increases as a function of depth according to the proportional limit to elastic modulus dimensionless ratio.

To modernize genotoxicity assessment and reduce reliance on experimental animals, new approach methodologies (NAMs) that provide human-relevant dose–response data are needed. Two transcriptomic biomarkers, GENOMARK and TGx-DDI, have shown a high classification accuracy for genotoxicity. As these biomarkers were extracted from different training sets, we investigated whether combining the two biomarkers in a human-derived metabolically competent cell line (i.e., HepaRG) provides complementary information for the classification of genotoxic hazard identification and potency ranking. First, the applicability of GENOMARK to TempO-Seq, a high-throughput transcriptomic technology, was evaluated. HepaRG cells were exposed for 72 h to increasing concentrations of 10 chemicals (i.e., eight known in vivogenotoxicants and two in vivonongenotoxicants). Gene expression data were generated using the TempO-Seq technology. We found a prediction performance of 100%, confirming the applicability of GENOMARK to TempO-Seq. Classification using TGx-DDI was then compared to GENOMARK. For the chemicals identified as genotoxic, benchmark concentration modeling was conducted to perform potency ranking. The high concordance observed for both hazard classification and potency ranking by GENOMARK and TGx-DDI highlights the value of integrating these NAMs in a weight of evidence evaluation of genotoxicity.

ABSTRACTThe microstructures of 800 H samples affected by natural corrosion within industrial-like environmental conditions have been studied, and their potential effects on the creep response have been investigated based on literature information. Smooth cylindrical specimens of the alloy extracted from rolled sheet material have been placed into an industrial furnace, where they were exposed to high temperature thermal cycles within an air atmosphere. Samples spending 0 to 5 years inside the furnace underwent a microstructural characterisation campaign. Optical microscopy images reveal no grain coarsening. Macroscopic Vickers hardness shows a relatively wide surface hardness range (115≲HV10≲140). Compared to as-received material, micro-hardness profiles from specimens after years of high-temperature exposure exhibit a surface hardening trend within the vicinity of the edge exposed to the environment. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed two coexisting corrosion mechanisms: oxidation and nitridation. The latter is identified as the cause of the micro-indentation hardening trend.

Die Evaluation der Therapie psychiatrischer Erkrankungen mit serotonergen oder klassischen Psychedelika wie Psilocybin oder Lysergsäurediethylamid (LSD) erlebt seit etwa 10 Jahren eine „Renaissance“. Während die Ergebnisse auch größerer Studien insbesondere bei Depressionen und Substanzgebrauchsstörungen vielversprechend sind, stellen sich methodische und regulatorische Fragen: Wie prüft man Psychedelika nach modernen methodischen Standards, wenn eine Verblindung in randomisierten klinischen Studien kaum möglich ist? Handelt es sich um eine „biologische“ Therapie, die nur psychologische Unterstützung zur Wahrung der Sicherheit des Patienten benötigt, oder um eine pharmakologisch augmentierte Psychotherapie? Lässt sich die Therapie mit Psychedelika überhaupt mit den beiden Kategorien Pharmako- und Psychotherapie hinreichend beschreiben oder muss gerade hier eine kulturell-anthropologische Beschreibungsdimension eingeführt werden? Vor dem Hintergrund dieser Fragen gibt der Beitrag eine Standortbestimmung.

Treatment of psychiatric disorders with psychedelic substances represents one of the most promising current treatment approaches in psychiatry. Since its inception in the 1950s, therapy with psychedelics has been conceptualised as psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy—ie, a form of psychotherapy that uses the profound biological effects of this class of substances as a catalyst for changing thinking, emotions, and behaviour. In this view, the psychotherapy component of the treatment is considered as being of the utmost importance for both the safety and efficacy of the therapy. This conceptualisation has been challenged by the idea that the latest clinical studies suggest that the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics must be attributed solely to the substance itself, with no role for psychotherapy. Here, accompaniment by therapists is understood as mere psychological support, to maintain the safety of the substance administration. In this Personal View, we contrast these two views and argue that the characterisation of treatment with psychedelics as a biological intervention (with psychological support as a purely safety-related component) represents an outdated and reductionistic dualism that has dominated psychiatric treatment and research for far too long. This discussion has important implications for the study and the regulation of these compounds.

Informational texts present complex content using language that is simultaneously technical, abstract, dense, and authoritative. This article describes practical strategies to support teachers in using informational picture books to prepare upper elementary school students for navigating the complex language demands necessitated by expository reading. These strategies include morphological analysis, spotlighting discipline‐specific vocabulary, sentence completion, unpacking nominalizations, identifying actions and their agents, deconstructing noun phrases, paraphrasing complex sentences, and syntactic anatomy. They are designed for classroom teachers to support their implementation of authentic informational texts.

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins with different interflavan bond types and degrees of polymerization. These chemical differences may impact the metabolism of proanthocyanidins by the intestinal microbiome. In our previous study, we found that healthy microbiomes produced higher concentrations of the phenolic acid metabolites 5-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-g-valerolactone and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid from the cranberry extract in comparison to ulcerative colitis (UC) microbiomes ex vivo. To understand this difference, LC-ESI-MS/MS was utilized to characterize the metabolism of the precursor proanthocyanidins. Healthy microbiomes metabolized procyanidin A2, procyanidin B2, and procyanidin dimeric intermediates but not A-type trimers, to a greater extent than UC microbiomes. The metabolism of procyanidin A2 and procyanidin B2 by fecal microorganisms was then compared to identify their derived phenolic acid metabolites. 5-(3′,4′-Dihydroxyphenyl)-g-valerolactone and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid were identified as unique metabolites of procyanidin B2. Based on these results, the metabolism of procyanidin B2 contributed to the differential metabolism observed between healthy and UC microbiomes.

Phase separation of polymer solutions is a preferred mechanism for the formation of porous polymer structures. Among different types of phase separation, polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS) has gained significant momentum as it can be implemented in 3D-printing processes of intricate porous architectures. However, for many materials, the influence of the composition of the resin on the final porosity and tortuosity of the fabricated parts is not fully understood. Traditional screening techniques, such as porometry or electron microscopy, are time-consuming and offer only limited insights into material characteristics. In this work, we propose a microfluidic fluorescence microscopy technique that enables the in situinvestigation of PIPS and enables the understanding of kinetic phase separation phenomena related to the final porous morphology.

For the internal control of MMC topologies, degrees of freedom (DOF) that can influence both the transient and steady-state performance are used. Several operation modes, each with a specific selection of DOF, can be used to reduce either the branch energy variation, as an indicator of the required module capacitance, or the branch current RMS value, as an indicator of the branch losses. In this article, an operating-point-optimized operation mode based on an analytical model is presented, which uses a weighting function to find a tradeoff between branch energy variations and branch losses for each operating point, depending on the characteristics of the converter and connected systems. This generalized approach is valid for M3C, M2C, and b2b-M2C. The operating-point-optimized operation mode is presented for application in a low-frequency ac transmission system connecting an offshore wind farm to the onshore grid, whereby M3C or b2b-M2C is used as an ac to ac converter station. Using the novel operation mode, the MMC topologies can be optimally dimensioned and compared with each other at each operating point. The analytical approach is validated with a simulation model of a $\mathbf {320}\,\mathbf {MW}$ low-frequency ac transmission system and additionally tested on a low-voltage test bench.

Nonspecific chronic low back pain (nCLBP) has been associated with nutrition. Yet, it is not clear how nutritional factors and nCLBP relate to one another. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate differences in diet quality and dietary intake levels between nCLBP patients and healthy controls (HCs) and explore the association between nutritional factors and pain sensitivity in nCLBP. In this case-control study, 106 participants (ie, n = 53 nCLBP and n = 53 HCs) were recruited and completed a 3-day food diary to assess their dietary intake, which allowed to generate individual diet quality scores (ie, the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and Dietary Inflammatory Index). Additionally, each participant underwent an experimental pain assessment (quantitative sensory testing) and filled out self-reported pain questionnaires. Compared to HCs, the nCLBP group showed significantly lower diet quality, higher inflammatory scores, and a lower intake of total protein, total fat, dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and magnesium. Pain sensitivity mainly showed a negative correlation with nutritional intakes known for anti-inflammatory properties (ie, vitamins E, D, A, B6, B12, and zinc). Interestingly, total fat, cholesterol, saturated, and monounsaturated fat intakes were found to be inversely associated with pain sensitivity. Overall, patients with nCLBP have a lower diet quality, eat more proinflammatory, have less intake of nutrients known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, and drink less water compared to HCs. Accordingly, pain sensitivity was mainly found to be positively associated with proinflammatory dietary intake.

Optical metrology is ubiquitous, but image-based methods cannot resolve features of dimensions much smaller than the wavelength. However, it has recently been demonstrated that light can be nanofocused into subwavelength semiconducting lines by setting the incident polarization along the direction of these lines. This Letter extends the previous studies to systems with two perpendicular gratings, as found e.g. after replacement gate processing of gate-all-around (GAA) field-effect transistors (FETs). We show that besides the nanofocusing effect, the incident polarization also offers control over which array of lines the light couples into. The interaction of the incident light occurs with the semiconducting lines to which the polarization is parallel with remarkably low interference from the existence of another perpendicular grating. We demonstrate the use of this effect with Raman spectroscopy to simultaneously extract the SiGe volume and the strain in the Si forksheet channels and in the SiGe layers of GAA FETs.

Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies.

This article describes the nowcast of aerospace radiation system (NAIRAS) model, which is now publicly available at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC). NAIRAS predicts dosimetric and radiation flux quantities for assessing human radiation exposure and radiation effects to flight vehicle electronic systems from the surface of the Earth to deep space. NAIRAS predictions of the ionizing radiation environment are shown for various space weather conditions in the atmosphere and in low-Earth orbit (LEO), medium-Earth orbit (MEO), and cislunar orbit. NAIRAS model comparisons with dosimeter measurements are presented for aircraft and various spaceflight platforms.

Tumoren vor dem 50. Lebensjahr, spezielle Tumorentitäten bzw. eine Tumorhäufung bei einzelnen Personen oder bei mehreren Personen derselben Familie legen den Verdacht auf eine erblich bedingte Tumorerkrankung nahe. Betroffenen Personen oder Angehörigen sollte eine genetische Beratung und/oder Diagnostik bezüglich einer genetischen Prädisposition angeboten werden. Die Diagnostik erfolgt in der Regel im Rahmen einer Hochdurchsatzsequenzierung und ermöglicht so die Analyse einer Vielzahl bekannter Tumorprädispositionsgene gleichzeitig. Dabei können Basenaustausche, kleine Deletionen und Duplikationen wie auch exonüberspannende Deletionen und Duplikationen detektiert werden. Dieser Ansatz erlaubt eine umfängliche Diagnostik in kurzer Zeit, sodass ein Befund in der Regel nach etwa 2–3 Wochen vorliegt. Das Ergebnis dieser genetischen Diagnostik erlaubt eine gezielte Beratung der Familie und kann gegebenenfalls individuelle Präventions- und Therapieoptionen ermöglichen.

Purpose: In minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy, the rise of soft robotics, using materials of similar softness as biological soft tissues, opens many new opportunities. Soft actuated catheters could become an alternative to current steerable catheters, by minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues while enhancing the possibilities to navigate in confined space and to reach remote locations. Fluidic actuators present the advantage to be safe, since they do not require rigid parts nor voltage, to be lightweight, and to allow the reduction of the number of parts needed for a given movement. This work presents the design, development and characterization of a soft fluidic bending actuator for a steerable catheter. Methods: A silicone prototype of 5 mm diameter has been designed. It has one degree of freedom in bending and achieves a radius of curvature below 10 mm. A numerical model has been developed and compared to the experimental results. Results: Despite an overestimation of the bending, the numerical model properly captures the behaviour of the actuator. This allowed to identify and validate the key design parameters of the actuator, namely the ratio between the pressure channel surface and the actuator cross-section surface. Based on the results, an optimized design has been developed and numerically implemented. The miniaturization and the potential to carry devices with non-negligible bending stiffness have also been discussed. Conclusion: In this work, a proof of concept of a soft fluidic actuator for a steerable catheter has been designed, developed and characterized. It showed promising results concerning the feasibility of a miniaturized actuator with two degrees of freedom.

Pump thrombosis is a devastating complication after left ventricular assist device implantation. This study aims to elucidate the relation between left ventricular assist device implantation angle and risk of pump thrombosis. Between November 2010 and March 2020, 53 left ventricular assist device-patients underwent a computed tomography scan. Using a 3-dimensional multiplanar reformation the left ventricular axis was reconstructed to measure the implantation angle of the inflow cannula. All patients were retrospectively analyzed for the occurrence of pump thrombosis. In 10 (91%) patients with a pump thrombosis, the implantation angle was towards the lateral wall of the left ventricle. In only 20 patients (49%) of the patients without a pump thrombosis the inflow cannula pointed towards the lateral wall of the left ventricle. The mean angle in patients with a pump thrombosis was 10.1 ± 11.9 degrees towards the lateral wall of the left ventricle compared to 4.1 ± 19.9 degrees towards the septum in non-pump thrombosis patients (P = 0.005). There was a trend towards a significant difference in time to first pump thrombosis between patients with a lateral or septal deviated left ventricular assist device (hazard ratio of 0.15, P = 0.07). This study demonstrates that left ventricular assist device implantation angle is associated with pump thrombosis. Almost all patients in whom a pump thrombosis occurred during follow-up had a left ventricular assist device implanted with the inflow-cannula pointing towards the lateral wall of the left ventricle.

AbstractDuring crisis contexts, information is both critical for user’s decision making and simultaneously challenging to evaluate. When online information’s credibility is ambiguous, young learners are challenged to evaluate rapidly evolving online information. This study sought to explore how 8th-grade students evaluated an ambiguously credible Tweet involving an extraordinary image of Hurricane Dorian. Students rated their skepticism about the image, provided a warrant for their rating, and hypothesized a purpose behind the original poster’s tweet. Students demonstrated three approaches to evaluating the tweet: focusing on information content over source, assuming internet-specific authorial purposes, and applying in-school literacies. This study highlights that educators can use ambiguously credible texts to support students in evaluating online information by supporting student equivocation between contradictory content and source credibility.

Zusammenfassung.Hintergrund:Der Bedarf an gut ausgebildeten Pflegekräften in Deutschland steigt. Zunehmend wird deshalb eine Akademisierung der Pflege gefordert, um dem hohen Kompetenzniveau, das Pflegekräfte erfüllen müssen, gerecht zu werden. Ziel:Die vorliegende Studie beschreibt die Haltung von Pflegenden zur Akademisierung und die Einschätzung ihrer individuellen forschungsbezogenen Kompetenzen in Abhängigkeit von soziodemografischen Merkmalen. Methode:In einer Querschnittstudie wurden mittels eines standardisierten Fragebogens 547 Pflegekräfte aus sechs verschiedenen Krankenhäusern im Nordwesten Deutschlands befragt. Im Zuge einer bivariaten Analyse und zwei multivariaten Regressionsmodellen wurde der Einfluss der unabhängigen Variablen „Position“, „Grad der Akademisierung“, „Alter“ und „Geschlecht“ auf die abhängigen Variablen „Haltung zur Akademisierung“ und „Einschätzung forschungsbezogene Kompetenz“ untersucht. In der multivariaten Analyse wurden drei Co-Variaten hinzugezogen, die die unterschiedlichen Formen von Unterstützung und Haltung der Klinik zu Weiterbildungs- und Akademisierungsprozessen erfragen. Ergebnisse:Insbesondere Pflegekräfte, die ein Studium absolvieren oder absolviert haben oder in Leitungspositionen sind, weisen eine signifikant positivere Haltung zur Akademisierung auf als ihre Kolleginnen und Kollegen. Aufstiegsmöglichkeiten innerhalb der Klinik bedingen ebenfalls eine positivere Haltung. Bezüglich der Einschätzung von forschungsbezogenen Kompetenzen ergibt die Analyse, dass ein absolviertes oder aktuell durchgeführtes Studium sowie eine Leitungsposition die Einschätzung positiv beeinflussen. Ferner schätzen jüngere, männliche Pflegekräfte sowie jene, die an ihrer Klinik Zugang zu wissenschaftlichen Artikeln haben, ihre Kompetenzen positiver ein. Schlussfolgerungen:Die Einstellungen zur Akademisierung sind noch immer heterogen und werden durch unterschiedliche Faktoren beeinflusst. Der Wert akademischer Bildung für die Pflegepraxis ist noch stärker zu demonstrieren.

The IEEE International Microwave Biomedical Conference (IMBioC) took place in Leuven, Belgium, in September 2023. The event brought together academics and professionals in the field of microwaves for biomedical diagnostics, therapy, and other applications to connect and exchange information on the latest progress in the field. The event hosted 110 participants from 23 countries, of which approximately 40% were female. The (almost) complete gender equality in terms of the number of researchers and professionals at the conference, both in the organizing committee and among the attendees, was refreshing.

ABSTRACTExtant species of the dinoflagellate genus Gonyaulaxare capable of producing resting cysts morphologically similar to different cyst-based genera, and their cyst-theca relationships are far from resolved. Here we have carried out germination experiments on several living cysts that resemble Spiniferites delicatusfrom the subtropical regions of China and Mexico. Both cyst and theca morphology were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. A new species, Gonyaulax pospelovana, is described, characterized by a cingulum displacement and an overhang of twice its width, and two short antapical spines. The cysts of G. pospelovanahad a granular surface and gonal processes with petaloid tips. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses based on LSU and SSU rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains identified as G. pospelovanawere monophyletic, forming a sister clade to Gonyaulax ellegaardiaeand several presumable strains of Gonyaulax spinifera. One Chinese strain and two Mexican strains of G. pospelovanawere examined for yessotoxin production using LC-MS/MS, but were not found to produce a detectable amount of toxins. Metabarcoding targeting the 18S V4 rRNA gene was performed on monthly collected samples in Xiamen Bay, China. A ZOTU (zero-radius operational taxonomic units) was detected that was consistent with G. pospelovana. Its maximum abundance was recorded in summer. Additionally, an OTU was identified as G. pospelovanafrom the Tara Oceans metabarcoding data, which occurred in the Indian and Pacific oceans at temperatures ranging from 28°C to 31°C, suggesting that it is a warm water species.

Background: Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is the second most frequent cause of chronic kidney disease in children and young adults. The most severe form of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome is congenital nephrotic syndrome Finnish type (CNSF), caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in NPHS1,encoding nephrin. Since each of the 68 monogenic causes of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome represents a rare cause of the disease, tailoring therapeutic interventions to multiple molecular targets remains challenging, suggesting gene replacement therapy (GRT) as a viable alternative. To set the ground for a gene replacement study in vivo, we established rigorous, quantifiable, and reproducible phenotypic assessment of a conditional Nphs1knockout mouse model. Methods: By breeding a floxed Nphs1fl/−mouse (Nphs1tm1Afrn/J) previously studied for pancreatic β-cell survival with a podocin promoter-driven Crerecombinase mouse model (Tg(NPHS2-Cre)295Lbh/J), we generated mice with podocyte-specific nephrin deficiency (Nphs1fl/flNPHS2-Cre+). Results: We observed a median survival to postnatal day P5 in nephrin-deficient mice, whereas heterozygous control mice and wild type (WT) control group showed 90% and 100% survival, respectively (at P50 days). Light microscopy analysis showed a significantly higher number of renal-tubular microcysts per kidney section in nephrin-deficient mice compared to the control groups (P&lt; 0.0022). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated reduced foot process (FP) density in nephrin-deficient mice compared to controls (P&lt; 0.0001). Additionally, proteinuria quantitation using urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was significantly higher in nephrin-deficient mice compared to controls. Conclusions: This study represents the first comprehensive description of the kidney phenotype in a nephrin-deficient mouse model, laying the foundation for future gene replacement therapy endeavors. Graphical abstract:

AbstractBackgroundFamilial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic disease characterised by hypercholesterolaemia and premature cardiovascular events. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the cardiovascular burden. We describe the characteristics of patients with heterozygous FH followed in a tertiary hospital in Belgium.MethodsWe retrospectively studied a population of 321 patients with definite heterozygous FH who visited the UZ Leuven lipid clinic at least once between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020. Data are represented as mean ± SD.ResultsThe age at time of diagnosis of FH was 39 ± 18 years. Patients with atherosclerotic disease (secondary prevention) were older (p < .001), more often male (p < .001), had a higher body mass index (p < .001), prevalence of (pre)diabetes (p < .001) and hypertension (p < .001) and had lower levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (p < .001) than individuals without atherosclerotic disease (primary prevention). The average LDL-C in both primary (109 ± 53 mg/dL) and secondary (81 ± 63 mg/dL) prevention did not meet the targets of LDL-C as proposed by the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias. However, LDL-C levels in the subgroup of patients treated with PCSK9 inhibition therapy, and especially in the triple therapy group (combination of statin, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitor), were markedly lower (p < .001).ConclusionsIn this Belgian population, people with heterozygous FH remain undertreated. Reaching treatment targets in FH seems possible, although this requires combination treatment (with PCSK9-targeted therapy) in most patients. Earlier diagnosis of FH, more extensive lipid-lowering treatment and reimbursement options and a more holistic approach are needed to lower LDL-C and cardiovascular risk in patients with FH.