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Context. Close binary central stars of planetary nebulae (PNe) must have formed through a common envelope evolution during the giant phase experienced by one of the stars. Transfer of the angular momentum from the binary system to the envelope leads to the shortening of the binary separations from the radius of red giant to the radius of the order of few tenths of AU. Thus, close binary central stars of planetary nebulae are laboratories to study the common envelope phase of evolution. The close binary fraction in the Galaxy has been measured in various sky surveys, but the close binary fraction is not yet well constrained for the Magellanic Clouds, and our results may help the study of common envelope evolution in low-metallicity environments. Aims. This paper presents a continuation of our study of variability in the Magellanic Cloud planetary nebulae on the basis of data from the OGLE survey. Previously, we had analysed the OGLE data in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Here, the study is extended to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). In this paper we search for close binary central stars with the aim to constrain the binary fraction and period distribution in the LMC. Methods. We identified 290 counterparts of PNe in the LMC in the I-band images from the OGLE-III and OGLE-IV surveys. However, the light curves of ten objects were not accessible in the OGLE database, and thus we analysed the time series photometry of 280 PNe. Results. In total, 32 variables were found, but 5 of them turned out to be foreground objects. Another 18 objects show irregular or regular variability that is not attributable to the binarity of their central stars. Their status and the nature of their variability will be verified in the follow-up paper. Nine binary central stars of PNe with periods between 0.24 and 23.6 days were discovered. The obtained fraction for the LMC PNe is 3.3-1.6+2.6% without correcting for incompleteness. This number is significantly lower than the 12–21% derived in the analogous search in the Galactic bulge. We discuss this difference, taking into account observational biases. The lower binary fraction suggests a lower efficiency of the common envelope phase in producing close binaries in the LMC compared to the Galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identity of a city is represented not only by its attractive historical centre with its landmarks, but also by the peripheral parts. Large parts of Slovak cities and neighbourhoods are covered by residential areas of panel blocks of flats built in the 1970s and 1980s. These communities and settlements are often more than 30-40 years old and have their own history, social climate and narratives. The unique and specific metatext of almost any Slovak city would remain unfinished without residential areas of panel blocks of flats. These areas have generated a specific identity based upon specific examples of urban semiotics. Urban semiotics considers the city/urban environment as a multilayer text based upon the social meaning and grammar of spatial patterns, signs and symbols. During recent years, it can be seen that Slovak mass housing neighbourhoods are not monolithic sense-less places, but rather chronicles of various stories and experiences which overcome the obsolete and uniform architectural language - landmarks and symbols of their identity are not only mere physical (architectural) forms but rather common experience and shared stories. It is obvious that Slovak mass housing neighbourhoods have failed to deliver the unique “tomorrow’s quality of life” as once declared but, on the other hand, they have never become completely excluded localities without any vital contacts with the city’s organism. Their semiotics have absorbed the overall societal development with all its ambiguity, manifoldness and uncertainty. Petržalka, as the largest Slovak mass housing neighbourhood, is particularly in the spotlight of this contribution. Once an alternative modernist vision of old Bratislava, then a drab grey dormitory without any flair, it is now transformed into a polyvocal and versatile urban environment full of opportunities, as well as challenges.

Introduction: Bradykinesia is an essential diagnostic criterion for Parkinson's disease (PD) but is frequently observed in many non-parkinsonian movement disorders, complicating differential diagnosis, particularly in disorders featuring tremors. The presence of bradykinetic features in the subset of dystonic tremors (DT), either "pure" dystonic tremors or tremors associated with dystonia, remains currently unexplored. The aim of the current study was to evaluate upper limb bradykinesia in DT patients, comparing them with healthy controls (HC) and patients with PD by observing repetitive finger tapping (FT)., Methods: The protocol consisted of two main parts. Initially, the kinematic recording of repetitive FT was performed using optical hand tracking system (Leap Motion Controller). The values of amplitude, amplitude decrement, frequency, frequency decrement, speed, acceleration and number of halts of FT were calculated. Subsequently, three independent movement disorder specialists from different movement disorders centres, blinded to the diagnosis, rated the presence of FT bradykinesia based on video recordings., Results: Thirty-six subjects participated in the study (12 DT, 12 HC and 12 early-stage PD). Kinematic analysis revealed no significant difference in the selected parameters of FT bradykinesia between DT patients and HC. In comparisons between DT and PD patients, PD patients exhibited bigger amplitude decrement and slower FT performance. In the blinded clinical assessment, bradykinesia was rated, on average, as being present in 41.6% of DT patients, 27.7% of HC, and 91.7% of PD patients. While overall inter-rater agreement was moderate, weak agreement was noted within the DT group., Discussion: Clinical ratings indicated signs of bradykinesia in almost half of DT patients. The objective kinematic analysis confirmed comparable parameters between DT and HC individuals, with more pronounced abnormalities in PD across various kinematic parameters. Interpretation of bradykinesia signs in tremor patients with DT should be approached cautiously and objective motion analysis might complement the diagnostic process and serve as a decision support system in the choice of clinical entities., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Matejicka, Kajan, Goga, Straka, Balaz, Janovic, Minar, Valkovic, Hajduk and Kosutzka.)

Background: Students face great challenges at the beginning of and during their studies. Competitive experience, exam anxiety, and especially the new performance requirements often cause test anxiety and stressful experiences. The extent of substance use in terms of neuroenhancement (NE) is unclear. Evidence shows associations between NE, increased stress levels, and mental health., Objectives: We aim to determine the prevalence of NE and alcohol and tobacco use among college students. We also investigate the associations between NE and ADHD, anxiety, depression, and stress experience., Methods: In spring 2021, an anonymous online cross-sectional survey was conducted among students of medicine, dentistry, business economics, and business informatics in Würzburg. The survey included the instruments ASRS (ADHD), PSS-10 (stress), PHQ-4 (depression and anxiety), and AUDIT-C (alcohol comsumption), as well as questions about consumption patterns, prior knowledge, and reasons for NE., Results: Of the 5564 students who were invited to participate, 1010 completed the questionnaire (18.2%). Of these, 12.4% indicated NE for the studied period. NE was used in particular during preparations for exams, to enhance performance, and/or to regulate emotions, most commonly through caffeine tablets, cannabis, and methylphenidate. NE was associated with risky use of alcohol or tobacco, and to a lesser extent with ADHD symptoms and stress experience.Conclusions: Students are at risk of substance abuse and NE. Effective stress management and prevention approaches as well as low-threshold services are needed to identify and support students with risk profiles., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Hajduk et al.)

Spravato and other drugs with consciousness-altering effects show significant promise for treating various mental health disorders. However, the effects of these treatments necessitate a substantial degree of patient monitoring which can be burdensome to healthcare providers and may make these treatments less accessible for prospective patients. Continuous passive monitoring via digital devices may be useful in reducing this burden. This proof-of-concept study tested the MindMed Session Monitoring System™ (MSMS™), a continuous passive monitoring system intended for use during treatment sessions involving pharmaceutical products with consciousness-altering effects. Participants completed 129 Spravato sessions with MSMS at an outpatient psychiatry clinic specializing in Spravato treatment. Results indicated high rates of data quality and self-reported usability among participants and health care providers (HCPs). These findings demonstrate the potential for systems such as MSMS to be used in consciousness-altering treatment sessions to assist with patient monitoring., Competing Interests: TS, JJ, MH, MM, AD, PD, AK, MP, OS, DK and RB are employed by Mind Medicine, Inc., the Sponsor of this research. OM and AT were employed by Brooklyn Minds Psychiatry, the research site, during this study. All funding for this research was provided by the study sponsor, Mind Medicine, Inc., (© 2023 Solomon, Hajduk, Majernik, Jemison, Deschamps, Scoggins, Kolar, Pinheiro, Dubec, Skala, Muir, Tinkelman, Karlin and Barrow.)

Objectives: Retention in alcohol-dependence treatment is an indicator of successful treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze Lesch's typology of alcohol dependence (LAT) and the participation of close people as potential predictors of retention in outpatient treatment., Methods: Participants were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. Data were collected over eight visits during a 6-month period. The primary outcome was retention in treatment during the 6-month follow-up period., Results: 119 patients were involved in the study, and 84 (70.6 %) of those patients remained in treatment up to the 6th month. Analysis of retention was performed for the Lesch I, II, and III types, as the type IV patients were underrepresented and had different baseline characteristics. Higher retention was found for Lesch I type patients (78.4 %) in comparison to the merged II and III groups. The presence of close people at planned visits had a significant effect on treatment persistence., Conclusions: We found no significant difference in the treatment retention of alcohol-dependent patients at the 6-month follow-up. However, a more comprehensive survival analysis indicated a trend of different retention dynamics between the Lesch I and merged Lesch II and III subgroups. Baseline severity of dependence measured by AUDIT score had no significant effect on treatment retention (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 35).

Objectives: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among university students during the peak of COVID‑19 pandemic in the Slovak Republic in December 2020. The secondary goal was to compare results with a study from 2018 at the same university., Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was administered at the Comenius University in Bratislava. The final sample consisted of 1,786 participants (approx. 80 % females) with the mean age and standard deviation of M=21.15 and SD=3.53. An online battery of self-report measures of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, loneliness, and resilience was administered., Results: The prevalence rates of moderately severe to‑severe depression and anxiety were 34.3 % and 20.1 %, respectively. Depression and anxiety were associated with younger age, higher perception of stress, higher loneliness, and lower resilience. In comparison with 2018, we found a two-fold increase in depression and anxiety. The increase was present across most of the depression and anxiety symptoms., Conclusion: The result of the study revealed elevated rates of depression and anxiety during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia. Various demographic and psychological factors were associated with more severe depression and anxiety among university students. Some subgroups of students are at the higher risk of mental health problems (Tab. 4, Ref. 26).