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Regretting the decision to have a child is under-researched. In the present study, a mixed methodology was used to compare the perspective of parents who regretted the decision to have a child (n = 24, 62% of women, age M = 33.42, SD = 4.89) with parents who thought the decision was a good one (n = 35, 51% of women, M = 34.71, SD = 4.43). Parents participated in an in-depth interview about their experiences before having a child; the pregnancy and postpartum period; and thereafter. Questionnaires were administered to measure the severity of childhood trauma; symptoms of mental health difficulties; and the Big Five personality traits. The results showed differences between parents in both groups. Regretting parents experienced more severe childhood abuse and neglect; had more mental health problems; and were less agreeable. There were also differences in the perceptions of parenting and parental experiences of regretting and non-regretting parents during the above-mentioned stages. These were related to childhood maltreatment, mental health, and, to a lesser extent, personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The banking sector is increasingly recognising the need to implement robo-advisory. The introduction of this service may lead to increased efficiency of banks, improved quality of customer service, and a strengthened image of banks as innovative institutions. Robo-advisory uses data relating to customers, their behaviors and preferences obtained by banks from various communication channels. In the research carried out in the work, an attempt was made to obtain an answer to the question whether the data collected by banks can also be used to determine the degree of consumer interest in this type of service. This is important because the identification of customers interested in the service will allow banks to direct a properly prepared message to a selected group of addressees, increasing the effectiveness of their promotional activities. The aim of the article is to construct and examine the effectiveness of predictive models of consumer acceptance of robo-advisory services provided by banks. Based on the authors' survey on the use of artificial intelligence technology in the banking sector in Poland, in this article we construct tree-based models to predict customers' attitudes towards using robo-advisory in banking services using, as predictors, their socio-demographic characteristics, behaviours and attitudes towards modern digital technologies, experience in using banking services, as well as trust towards banks. In our study, we use selected machine learning algorithms, including a decision tree and several tree-based ensemble models. We showed that constructed models allow to effectively predict consumer acceptance of robo-advisory services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpolation between camera positions is a standard problem in computer graphics and can be considered the foundation of camera path planning. As the basis for a new interpolation method, we introduce a new Riemannian metric in camera space, which measures the 3D image flow under a small movement of the camera. Building on this, we define a linear interpolation between two cameras as shortest geodesic in camera space, for which we provide a closed‐form solution after a mild simplification of the metric. Furthermore, we propose a geodesic Catmull‐Rom interpolant for keyframe camera animation. We compare our approach with several standard camera interpolation methods and obtain consistently better camera paths especially for cameras with extremely varying scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular hobs are tools with very complex geometry. Regardless of the material of the gear wheels, they determine the accuracy of the gears made in the hobbing machining process. Gears are made of various, often innovative materials depending on the requirements. Sometimes, the materials are characterised by very high hardness (over 65 HRC). The mathematical basis for describing the faces of a hob presented in the article allows for modifying the rack profile shaping the gear wheel's teeth. The model's universality makes it possible to perform numerical simulations of the influence of individual parameters of the hob creation process (geometry of the grinding wheels and their setting in the shaping process) on the profile of the rake and flank surfaces. The cutting edge (rack edge) is the locus of points belonging to both of these surfaces and thus directly impacts the accuracy of the gear wheel that is shaped in the hobbing process. The article summarises the authors' long-term cooperation with the industry, resulting in a series of articles devoted to hobs. The issues presented in the article are significant to the machinery industry and hob manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new phenanthridine peptide derivatives (19, 22, and 23) were synthesized to explore their potential as spectrophotometric probes for DNA and RNA. UV/Vis and circular dichroism (CD) spectra, mass spectroscopy, and computational analysis confirmed the presence of intramolecular interactions in all three compounds. Computational analysis revealed that compounds alternate between bent and open conformations, highlighting the latter's crucial influence on successful polynucleotide recognition. Substituting one glycine with lysine in two regioisomers (22, 23) resulted in stronger binding interactions with DNA and RNA than for a compound containing two glycines (19), thus emphasizing the importance of lysine. The regioisomer with lysine closer to the phenanthridine ring (23) exhibited a dual and selective fluorimetric response with non-alternating AT and ATT polynucleotides and induction of triplex formation from the AT duplex. The best binding constant (K) with a value of 2.5 × 107 M−1 was obtained for the interaction with AT and ATT polynucleotides. Furthermore, apart from distinguishing between different types of ds-DNA and ds-RNA, the same compound could recognize GC-rich DNA through distinct induced CD signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S420M steel subjected to strain-controlled low-cycle fatigue does not exhibit a period of cyclic properties stabilization. The maximum stress on a cycle continuously drops until fracture. For this reason, it is difficult to plan experimental research for different types of control in such a way that their results can be considered comparable. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the results of tests conducted in various conditions of low-cycle fatigue of S420M steel specimens, both undeformed and pre-strained. In both loading conditions, after initial deformation, a significant change in the cyclic properties of steel described by the parameters of the hysteresis loop was observed. Also, the fatigue life of the pre-strained specimens appeared to be different from unstrained specimens and was affected by the test loading conditions. The reduction in life under controlled stress conditions was attributed to the increase in the extent of plastic deformation and stress and the occurrence of creep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study emphasizes the benefits of open-source software such as DeepLabCut (DLC) and R to automate, customize and enhance data analysis of motor behavior. We recorded 2 different spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 mouse models while performing the classic beamwalk test, tracked multiple body parts using the markerless pose-estimation software DLC and analyzed the tracked data using self-written scripts in the programming language R. The beamwalk analysis script (BAS) counts and classifies minor and major hindpaw slips with an 83% accuracy compared to manual scoring. Nose, belly and tail positions relative to the beam, as well as the angle at the tail base relative to the nose and tail tip were determined to characterize motor deficits in greater detail. Our results found distinct ataxic abnormalities such as an increase in major left hindpaw slips and a lower belly and tail position in both SCA6 ataxic mouse models compared to control mice at 18 months of age. Furthermore, a more detailed analysis of various body parts relative to the beam revealed an overall lower body position in the SCA684Q compared to the CT-longQ27PC mouse line at 18 months of age, indicating a more severe ataxic deficit in the SCA684Q group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the potential antimicrobial properties of natural compounds and their impacts on Clostridioides difficile virulence factors may aid in developing alternative strategies for preventing and treating C. difficile infections (CDI). In this study, we investigated the bactericidal effects of ginger oil (GO), peppermint oil (PO), curcumin (CU), cinnamon aldehyde (CI), and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCI) on the adhesion and biofilm disruption of C. difficile. We used three reference and five clinical C. difficile strains of different ribotypes. The bactericidal activity was assessed using the broth microdilution method. The adhesion was evaluated using human epithelial cell lines, and biofilm formation was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. All tested strains exhibited susceptibility to CU, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 128 µg/mL to 2048 µg/mL. Similarly, all strains were susceptible to CI and TCI, with MIC values ranging from 6.25% (v/v) to 25% (v/v). Most of the tested substances reduced the adhesion of C. difficile strains, while two tested strains showed significantly higher adhesion when co-incubated with the tested substances. Similar observations were made for biofilm formation, with observed density and morphology varied depending on the strain. In conclusion, the tested products demonstrated bactericidal activity and reduced the adhesion of C. difficile strains. They may be considered for further studies as potential antimicrobial agents targeting biofilm-related infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a Fricke-XO-Pluronic F-127 2D radiochromic dosimeter with a flat-bed scanner for 2D reading and a dedicated data processing software package as a tool for performing coincidence testing of the radiation and mechanical isocenter of a medical accelerator. The optimal irradiation parameters were determined as follows: monitor units per beam and multi-leaf collimator gap, which are ≤750–≤2500 MU and 2–5 mm, respectively, for a cuboidal container with dimensions of 12 × 12 × 0.3 cm3. Despite the diffusion of Fe3+ ions occurring during irradiation, 2D reading can be performed at least 3 h after irradiation, without affecting the calculation performance of the coincidence test. The test was successfully performed for various irradiation settings. Overall, the Fricke-XO-Pluronic F-127 dosimeter has proven to be a potential tool for the coincidence testing of medical accelerators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite rapid technological progress, some arrhythmias are still resistant to standard unipolar ablation. These include arrhythmias arising from the base of the heart, cardiac crux, or epicardium. Bipolar radiofrequency ablation (B‐RFA) may be useful in some cases, however, data on the efficacy of this approach in various arrhythmia localizations are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of B‐RFA in patients with ventricular arrhythmias originating from various locations, occurring refractory to standard unipolar ablation approaches. Methods: An observational, single center study was conducted over a 30‐month period. B‐RFA were performed using dedicated radio frequency (RF) generator and electroanatomic mapping system. Results: Twenty‐four procedures, in 23 patients with a median (range) of 1 (1–2) previously failed unipolar ablation procedures, were included in the final analysis. There were 12 ablations of ventricular arrhythmias originating from interventricular septum with an acute success rate of 75%, and 12 from left ventricular (LV) summit with an acute success rate of 58%. The midterm success rate (median interquartile range follow‐up of 205 days [188–338]) was 66% and 50%, respectively. Conclusions: B‐RFA is a promising method of catheter ablation for refractory cardiac arrhythmias. A higher success rate was observed in ablation for difficult ventricular arrhythmias originating from interventricular septal region than LV summit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to verify whether parents at different stages of parenthood differ in the intensity of three identity processes in the parental domain: commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment. We also examined whether there were differences between men and women in this context. We jointly analyzed results from seven independent cross-sectional samples examined between 2017 and 2022 in Poland. A total of 5454 parents aged 18 to 59 participated in the studies at different stages of parenthood: up to 3 years after becoming a parent, being a parent for 4 to 7 years, being a parent for 8 to 12 years, being a parent for 13 to 20 years and being a parent for 21 years or more. Parents at different stages of parenthood were found to have significantly different levels of in-depth exploration and reconsideration of commitment. The results suggest that in the first years of parenthood, parents experience a relatively high in-depth exploration and reconsideration of commitment, which may decrease over time. The analyses also indicated that women are characterized by higher levels of in-depth exploration than men at each stage of parenthood. Men, on the other hand, experience stronger identity uncertainty related to the parental role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the degree to which the quality of sibling relationships interacted with the quality of mother–child relationships to concurrently predict prosocial behavior between school-aged siblings while taking age spacing into account. Forty-five families with two school-aged siblings were recruited from the community. Prosocial behavior was coded from unstructured laboratory observation of sibling interaction. Both children reported on the quality of their sibling relationships; the quality of mother–child relationships was assessed by coding laboratory observation of mother–child interaction, conducted separately with each sibling. A compensatory pattern was found; higher warmth between widely spaced siblings was associated with greater sibling prosocial behavior when maternal positivity was low, and also when maternal negativity was high. These compensatory patterns did not occur for siblings closer in age. Findings suggested that sibling dynamics and relational roles play an important function in children's prosocial development. Results were discussed within family systems frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present study was to assess the similarities and differences between parents from different cultures in terms of the intensity of parental identity processes described in the three-dimensional model of identity formation. The cultural measurement invariance of the questionnaire used, the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale-Parental Identity (U-MICS-PI), was also assessed. Participants were 2340 parents (51.4% of mothers) aged from 30 to 59 (M = 43.54; SD = 8.26). The study included parents from North America (USA), the Middle East (Israel), Central Europe (Poland), Africa (South Africa), and Eastern Asia (Japan). Results indicated the full configural, partial metric, and partial scalar invariance of the U-MICS-PI. A comparison of parents from the countries analyzed revealed that the parents from the United States and South Africa were characterized by a more firm commitment and lower level of reconsideration of commitment than those from Poland and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was shown that the chain length of the aliphatic substituent in the alkyl derivative of 3-(1-indenyl)propionic acid of C60 and C70 fullerenes affects the efficiency of photovoltaic cells with the PTB7-Th:fullerene-derivative bulk heterojunction (BHJ). A series of new C60 and C70 fullerene derivatives containing the n-alkyl ester of 3-(1-indenyl)propionic acid were synthesized using the Diels–Alder reaction. The synthesized fullerene derivatives had aliphatic side chains of 4 to 12 carbon atoms in the ester group. All synthesized compounds were successfully used in the BHJ solar cell, achieving energy conversion efficiencies (PCEs) ranging from 0.8 to 3.9%. We observed an increase in solar cell open-circuit voltage of 30 meV for the 60IPH acceptor material. Long aging measurements of the solar cells with the new fullerene derivatives show long lifetimes for C60 derivatives and shorter for C70. The lifetime significantly depends on the aliphatic chain length. The longest 80% decay period, T80, was about 200 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cardiac murmurs caused by aortic or mitral insufficiency in horses often prompt further diagnostics to determine if the valvular insufficiencies affect the performance, safety, and life expectancy of the horse. Ambulatory acoustic cardiography (Audicor®) provides qualitative and quantitative information on hemodynamics and cardiac mechanical function and may aid in clinical diagnosis and prognostication of heart disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of acoustic cardiography in horses with aortic or mitral valve insufficiency. The results do not suggest any added clinical value of using the Audicor® device to detect heart murmurs and quantify alterations in cardiac hemodynamics and mechanical function in horses with aortic and mitral insufficiency that are not experiencing heart failure. Mitral and aortic valve insufficiencies have been commonly reported in horses. The objective of this study was to establish the use of acoustic cardiography (Audicor®) in horses with aortic (AI) or mitral valve insufficiency (MI). A total of 17 healthy horses, 18 horses with AI, and 28 horses with MI were prospectively included. None of the horses was in heart failure. Echocardiography and Audicor® analyses were conducted. Electromechanical activating time (EMAT), rate-corrected EMATc, left ventricular systolic time (LVST), rate-corrected LVSTc, and intensity and persistence of the third and fourth heart sound (S3, S4) were reported by Audicor®. Graphical analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) phonocardiogram served to visually detect murmurs. Audicor® snapshot variables were compared between groups using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple-comparisons test. The association between Audicor® snapshot variables and the corresponding echocardiographic variables was investigated by linear regression and Bland–Altman analyses. Heart murmurs were not displayed on Audicor® phonocardiograms. No significant differences were found between Audicor® variables obtained in clinically healthy horses and horses with valvular insufficiency. The Audicor® device is unable to detect heart murmurs in horses. Audicor® variables representing cardiac function are not markedly altered, and their association with corresponding echocardiographic variables is poor in horses with valvular insufficiency that are not in heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fever is an adaptive host-defense response to infection and nowadays is rightly considered to be an expression of a healthy body and a well-functioning immune system. The condition is that it must be tightly regulated. Therefore, in individual cases, fever may be detrimental and should be treated. Specific excessive febrile reaction to pathogens which occurs after aseptic injuries is one among such cases. We previously found that among necrotic products, high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) released from the site of aseptic injury affects immune effectors (cells) to mediate higher fever in response to further contact with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here we observed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) pre-injection of recombinant HMGB1 (5 µg/rat i.p.) provoked an increase in plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in rats and augmented release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 after LPS administration at a dose of 50 µg/kg i.p. compared to rats pre-injected with saline or heat-denatured HMGB1. Furthermore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from rats injected with HMGB1 were more sensitized to produce enhanced levels of IL-1β and PGE2 when stimulated with LPS in vitro (1 µg/ml/106 cells for 4 h) compared to control animals injected with saline or heat-denatured HMGB1. We also noted a significant increase in activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in cells isolated from rats injected with HMGB1. Altogether, the obtained results suggest that HMGB1 participates in priming of immune cells to further contact with pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Advanced nodal disease is associated with poor prognosis. However, modern neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) regimens have resulted in higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rates, which are associated with improved survival. We sought to assess contemporary outcomes in patients with advanced nodal involvement and response to NST. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a single-institution, retrospective study of 521 patients with cN2--3 primary nonmetastatic breast cancer treated with NST followed by surgery and radiation from 2012 to 2018. Descriptive statistics, multivariate Cox regression, and Kaplan--Meier analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean age was 50.5 years, and median follow-up was 61 (4.7 to 197) months. The majority of patients had hormone receptor--positive (HR+)/HER2-negative tumors (HER2-; n = 242, 47.8%). Most were cT2 (n = 243; 46.6%) or cT3 (n = 139; 26.7%) and 73.3% (n = 382) had cN3 disease. Rate of axillary pCR was 34.2%, and breast and axillary pCR was 19.4% (n = 101). Event-free survival (EFS) at 5 years was 75.1% (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.79). Rate of locoregional recurrence was 6.7%; distant metastatic rate was 29.4%. Axillary pCR with or without breast pCR was significantly associated with longer EFS (p = 0.001). Achieving breast/axillary pCR was an independent predictor of improved EFS (hazard ratio 0.22, p < 0.0001). Having triple-negative disease was associated with worse EFS (hazard ratio 1.74, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In a high-risk cohort of patients with cN2--3 disease, trimodality therapy was effective in achieving durable EFS. Approximately one-third of patients achieved axillary pCR, which was associated with improved survival. Further studies are needed to accurately determine axillary response in cN2--3 breast cancer after NST in order to develop de-escalation strategies to reduce morbidity associated with axillary surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enabling remote and temperature‐independent pressure sensing based on luminescence kinetics holds significant potential for the development of a luminescence pressure sensor with a wide array of applications. To meet these requirements, in this work, a unique lifetime‐based luminescence manometer is demonstrated for which an increase in pressure results in an elongation of lifetime of 2E state of Mn4+ due to a change in the probability of radiative depopulation of the 2E level of Mn4+ ions with an unprecedentedly high sensitivity of 35% GPa−1. Furthermore, the pressure‐induced modification in the covalency of the Mn4+─O2− bond facilitates a manometer operating in spectral band shift and ratiometric modes with sensitivities of 26 cm−1 GPa−1 (1.2 nm GPa−1) and 24.8% GPa−1, respectively. This study firmly supports the belief that the distinct pressure‐dependent kinetics governing the depopulation of Mn4+ ions at the 2E level, along with the resulting advantageous manometric performance, will pave the way for a new research trajectory in luminescence manometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construct Love has been the subject matter of voluminous popular literature and has attracted extensive scholarly attention for many decades. Yet, there is a dearth of studies that examine the scope and breadth of the intellectual structure of modern scholarship on this ubiquitous topic. The current study reports on a bibliometric content analysis of 1,562 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the field of psychology from 2012-2021. The most prominent investigatory topics identified, in rank order, were: Theory/Models, Brand love (marketing), Cultural factors, LBGTQ, Measures/Scales, Religion/Spirituality, Neurophysiology, Therapeutic issues, Mother love, Love styles, and Social media. Interestingly, several topical areas received scant investigatory attention (less than 1% of dataset), i.e., infidelity, divorce, falling-in love, sibling love, love of pets, suicide, loneliness, and cognitive styles. These findings a) offer a panorama on the state of contemporary scholarship regarding the subject matter of love, b) present a framework as a basis for the study of evolving research trends, and c) provide a tapestry in conceptually describing the essence of love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to investigate if structural and relational characteristics of sibling relationships moderated the association between known injury risk factors and child injuries. Prior to the pandemic, 80 Canadian parents of two school‐aged biological siblings completed standardized questionnaires concerning child risk‐taking behaviours and injury frequency; they also reported on sibling caregiving. Children reported on sibling warmth. Wider age spacing amplified injury risk for younger siblings who engaged in more risk‐taking, while warmer sibling relationships lessened injury risk for younger siblings cared for by older siblings. The importance of incorporating sibling characteristics into family‐centred injury prevention programs was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Robo-advisory is a modern and rapidly developing area of implementing artificial intelligence to support customer decision-making. The current significance of robo-advisory to the financial sector is minor or marginal, and boils down to formulating recommendations and implementing investment strategies. However, the ongoing digital transformation of the economy leads us to believe that in the near future this technology will also be much more widely used with banking products. This makes it necessary for banks and other financial institutions to be prepared to offer this service to their customers. Purpose of the article: The aim of this paper is to identify factors significantly influencing bank customers' intention to use robo-advisory. Identification of robo-advisory acceptance factors may increase the effectiveness of banks' promotional activities regarding such a service. Methods: Empirical data was obtained through a survey conducted on a representative sample of 911 Polish respondents aged 18-65. Using a multilevel ordered logit model and methods based on machine learning algorithms, the authors identified variables relating to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes of consumers that primarily determine respondents' adoption of robo-advisory. Findings & value added: The results of the study indicate that the variables regarding the respondents' attitude towards the use of artificial intelligence in banking services turned out to be the most important from the point of view of acceptance of robo-advisory. Next in terms of importance were the variables presenting respondents' assessments of the ethics of financial services. An important finding is that experience in using basic financial services is not a significant factor when accepting robo-advisory. From the practical perspective, the article provides recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence technology in finance and ethical aspects of the provision of such services by banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenthood is one of the most important social roles, but the consequences of becoming a parent are not always as expected. It is estimated that in developed countries, up to 5%–14% of parents regret their decision to have children and if they could turn back time, they would choose childlessness. While such a situation can have serious consequences for the entire family system, our knowledge of the causes and consequences of regretting parenthood is very limited. Beyond the possible taboo, one factor that is certainly responsible for the small number of studies on regretting parenthood is the lack of questionnaires to measure its severity. In the present study, we decided to fill this gap and developed a new questionnaire—the Parenthood Regret Scale. In a series of three studies (total N = 2,994) conducted on English-speaking, French-speaking, and Polish-speaking samples, we analyzed the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the new scale. The results confirmed that the Parenthood Regret Scale has a single-factor structure, which has been replicated in the three languages. Furthermore, the analyses confirmed that higher parenthood regret is negatively related to life satisfaction, and positively related to the severity of depressive symptoms and parental burnout. In light of the results obtained, it can be concluded that the Parenthood Regret Scale is a valid and reliable measure that can help advance research on an almost unknown issue of great social importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of archaeological research carried out on the early medieval stronghold in Santok prove that from the 2nd half of the 8th century it functioned in the contact zone between Baltic trade centres and inland, as one of the points in the network of goods exchange. We present the centre in a broader context, not only from the perspective of discovered artefacts but from the natural and ideological elements of the landscape of this place created by the communities inhabiting the Warta and Noteć valleys in the 8th and 9th centuries. The settlement was founded in a convergence of waterways in a way that perfectly uses elements of the topography of the area. Wetlands were important ecological niches for residents whose lifestyle was associated with exploring both the valley and upland zones. Santok is difficult to interpret merely as a mere reflection of the practicality of power or economic activity, including manufacturing and trade. It is a clearly legible place in the landscape, with a symbolic structure that represents the concepts of the cosmological order related to the spatial organization of the exchange point and the communication node. So far Santok is the only recognized trading post on a waterway, in this part of the Slavic region, with such an early chronology. Thus we have attempted to present the landscape of this place, considering its many elements, at different levels of perception and in a broad context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase contrast is one of the most important microscopic methods for making visible transparent, unstained cells. Cell cultures are often cultivated in microtiter plates, consisting of several cylindrical wells. The surface tension of the culture medium forms a liquid lens within the well, causing phase contrast conditions to fail in the more curved edge areas, preventing cell observation. Adaptive phase contrast microscopy is a method to strongly increase the observable area by optically compensating for the meniscus effect. The microscope's condenser annulus is replaced by a transmissive LCD to allow dynamic changes. A deformable, liquid-filled prism is placed in the illumination path. The prism's surface angle is adaptively inclined to refract transmitted light so that the tangential angle of the liquid lens can be compensated. Besides the observation of the phase contrast image, a beam splitter allows to simultaneously view condenser annulus and phase ring displacement. Algorithms analyze the displacement to dynamically adjust the LCD and prism to guarantee phase contrast conditions. Experiments show a significant increase in observable area, especially for small well sizes. For 96-well-plates, more than twelve times the area can be examined under phase contrast conditions instead of standard phase contrast microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parametrizations of experimental yields of K ± , 0 , ϕ and Λ + Σ 0 are proposed as function of available energy, s NN , and number of participants, ⟨ A part ⟩ b , for s NN from 2.15 to 3 GeV. For all the dataset the ⟨ A part ⟩ b was extracted using the Glauber Monte Carlo method. The α exponent of yield dependency on ⟨ A part ⟩ b appears not to change with beam energy and is found to be 1.30 ± 0.02. Our parametrization and the predictions of public versions of RQMD.RMF, SMASH and UrQMD transport models are compared to the HADES experimental data for Ar+KCl at s NN of 2.61 GeV. The phenomenological parametrization currently offers the best overall description of these yields. Predictions are given for yields from Ag + Ag collisions at available energies of 2.41 and 2.55 GeV, analysed by HADES, Au + Au experiment at 2.16 and 2.24 GeV planned by this collaboration, some yields for STAR’s Au + Au collisions at 3 GeV, and for Au + Au collisions planned by CBM, up to 3.85 GeV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding how to implement innovations in primary care practices is key to improve primary health care. Aiming to contribute to this understanding, we investigate the implementation of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) as part of the innovation fund project AdAM (01NVF16006). Originating from complexity theory, the practice change and development model (PCD) proposes several interdependent factors that enable organizational-level change and thus accounts for the complex settings of primary care practices. Leveraging the PCD, we seek to answer the following research questions: Which combinations of internal and external factors based on the PCD contribute to successful implementation in primary care practices? Given these results, how can implementation in the primary care setting be improved? Methods: We analyzed the joint contributions of internal and external factors on implementation success using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). QCA is a set-theoretic approach that allows to identify configurations of multiple factors that lead to one outcome (here: successful implementation of a CDSS in primary care practices). Using survey data, we conducted our analysis based on a sample of 224 primary care practices. Results: We identified two configurations of internal and external factors that likewise enable successful implementation. The first configuration enables implementation based on a combination of Strong Inside Motivation, High Capability for Development, and Strong Outside Motivation; the second configuration based on a combination of Strong Inside Motivators, Many Options for Development and the absence of High Capability for Development. Conclusion: In line with the PCD, our results demonstrate the importance of the combination of internal and external factors for implementation outcomes. Moreover, the two identified configurations show that different ways exist to achieve successful implementation in primary care practices. Trial registration: AdAM was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03430336) on February 6, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been shown that various aspects of clinical manifestation of schizophrenia are strongly related to social functioning. However, it remains unknown as to whether similar factors predict social functioning at various stages of psychosis. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effects of interconnections between various domains of psychopathology and neurocognition on social functioning in people during acute phase of psychosis and those during remission of positive and disorganization symptoms using a network analysis. Methods: Two independent samples of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were enrolled (89 inpatients during acute phase and 90 outpatients during remission of positive and disorganization symptoms). Clinical assessment covered the levels of functioning, positive, negative and depressive symptoms. Cognition was recorded using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Data were analyzed by means of the network analysis. Two separate networks of clinical symptoms, social functioning, and cognition (i.e., in patients during acute phase of psychosis and remitted outpatients with schizophrenia) were analyzed and compared with respect to the measures of centrality (betweenness, closeness, strength, and expected influence) and edge weights. Results: In both networks, the majority of centrality metrics (expected influence, strength, and closeness) had the highest values for the RBANS scores of attention (the sum of scores from two tasks, i.e., digit span and coding) and immediate memory. In both networks, social functioning was directly connected to positive, negative and depressive symptoms as well as the RBANS scores of attention and language. Additionally, in remitted patients, social functioning was directly connected to the RBANS score of immediate memory. Conclusions: Findings from the present study indicate the central role of cognitive deficits, especially those related to attention, processing speed, working and immediate memory in shaping functional impairments regardless of schizophrenia phase. Therapeutic interventions that aim to improve functional capacity need to target these domains of neurocognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life threatening events in neonates are mainly caused by respiratory and circulatory pathology, less often with neurologic problems. Their diagnosis is based on symptoms like tachypnea or apnea, pale or blue skin, desatura-tions and even full blown hypovolemic, cardiogenic or septic shock. The respiratory failure is most often caused by Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), pneumonia, or severe asphyxia. Also congenital cardiac defects like coarctation of aorta, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, anomalous pulmonary venous return or transposition of great arteries present themselves as respiratory (and circulatory) insufficiency. These situations can lead to death in the short time period. In the treatment of respiratory failure a staged approached is proposed - from Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) technique, through conventional mechanical ventilation to High Frequency Oscillation (HFO) and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Cardiac failure is best treated by infusions of fluids, catecholamines and prostaglandins. In cases of sudden cardiac arrest the neonatal (or pediatric) cardiopulmonary resuscitation algorithms (ABCD) should be applied, with emphasis on both - chest compressions and artificial respirations. In neonates the compression-to-ventilation ratio algorithm is 3:1 (15:2 in children). After successful resuscitation and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) neonates should receive therapeutic hypothermia treatment for 72 hours, as a measure to reduce brain damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the main objectives of a circular economy, Lemnaceae plants have great potential for different types of techniques to valorize their biomass for use in biofuel production. For this reason, scientific interest in this group of plants has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on the growth and development of S. polyrrhiza and the valorization of biomass for biofuel and energy production in a circular economy. Plants were grown in a variety of culture media, including standard 'Z' medium, tap water, 1% digestate from a biogas plant in Piaszczyna (54° 01′ 21″ N, 17° 10′ 19″ E), Poland) and supplemented with different concentrations of NaCl (from 25 to 100 mM). Plants were cultured under phytotron conditions at 24 °C. After 10 days of culture, plant growth, fresh and dry biomass, as well as physio-chemical parameters such as chlorophyll content index, gas exchange parameters (net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentration), chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were analyzed. After 10 days of the experiment, the percentage starch content of Spirodela shoot segments was determined. S. polyrrhiza was shown to have a high starch storage capacity under certain unfavorable growth conditions, such as salt stress and nutrient deficiency. In the W2 (50 mM NaCl) series, compared to the control (Control2), starch levels were 76% higher in shoots and 30% lower in roots. The analysis of the individual growth and development parameters of S. polyrrhiza plants in the experiment carried out indicates new possibilities for the use of this group of plants in biofuel and bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of conceptual catchment runoff models may highly depend on the specific choice of calibration methods made by the user. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Differential Evolution (DE) are two well-known families of Evolutionary Algorithms that are widely used for calibration of hydrological and environmental models. In the present paper, five DE and five PSO optimization algorithms are compared regarding calibration of two conceptual models, namely the Swedish HBV model (Hydrologiska Byrans Vattenavdelning model) and the French GR4J model (modèle du Génie Rural à 4 paramètres Journalier) of the Kamienna catchment runoff. This catchment is located in the middle part of Poland. The main goal of the study was to find out whether DE or PSO algorithms would be better suited for calibration of conceptual rainfall-runoff models. In general, four out of five DE algorithms perform better than four out of five PSO methods, at least for the calibration data. However, one DE algorithm constantly performs very poorly, while one PSO algorithm is among the best optimizers. Large differences are observed between results obtained for calibration and validation data sets. Differences between optimization algorithms are lower for the GR4J than for the HBV model, probably because GR4J has fewer parameters to optimize than HBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. While pathologic hallmarks, such as extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, are well-characterized in affected individuals, the pathogenesis that causes plaque formation and eventual cognitive decline is not well understood. A recent resurgence of the decades-old "infectious hypothesis" has garnered increased attention on the potential role that microbes may play in AD. In this theory, it is thought that pathogens such as viruses may act as seeds for beta-amyloid aggregation, ultimately leading to plaques. Interest in the infectious hypothesis has also spurred further investigation into additional characteristics of viral infection that may play a role in AD progression, such as neuroinflammation, latency, and viral DNA integration. While a flurry of research in this area has been recently published, with herpesviruses being of particular interest, the role of pathogens in AD remains controversial. In this review, the insights gained thus far into the possible role of herpesviruses in AD are summarized. The challenges and potential future directions of herpesvirus research in AD and dementia are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric nanoparticles are highly tunable drug delivery systems that show promise in targeting therapeutics to specific sites within the body. Rational nanoparticle design can make use of mathematical models to organize and extend experimental data, allowing for optimization of nanoparticles for particular drug delivery applications. While rational nanoparticle design is attractive from the standpoint of improving therapy and reducing unnecessary experiments, it has yet to be fully realized. The difficulty lies in the complexity of nanoparticle structure and behavior, which is added to the complexity of the physiological mechanisms involved in nanoparticle distribution throughout the body. In this review, we discuss the most important aspects of rational design of polymeric nanoparticles. Ultimately, we conclude that many experimental datasets are required to fully model polymeric nanoparticle behavior at multiple scales. Further, we suggest ways to consider the limitations and uncertainty of experimental data in creating nanoparticle design optimization schema, which we call quantitative nanoparticle design frameworks. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase contrast is one of the most important microscopic methods for making visible transparent, unstained cells. Cell cultures are often cultivated in microtiter plates, consisting of several cylindrical wells. The surface tension of the culture medium forms a liquid lens within the well, causing phase contrast conditions to fail in the more curved edge areas, preventing cell observation. Adaptive phase contrast microscopy is a method to strongly increase the observable area by optically compensating for the meniscus effect. The microscope's condenser annulus is replaced by a transmissive LCD to allow dynamic changes. A deformable, liquid-filled prism is placed in the illumination path. The prism's surface angle is adaptively inclined to refract transmitted light so that the tangential angle of the liquid lens can be compensated. Besides the observation of the phase contrast image, a beam splitter allows to simultaneously view condenser annulus and phase ring displacement. Algorithms analyze the displacement to dynamically adjust the LCD and prism to guarantee phase contrast conditions. Experiments show a significant increase in observable area, especially for small well sizes. For 96-well-plates, more than twelve times the area can be examined under phase contrast conditions instead of standard phase contrast microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wideband spectrum sensing plays a crucial role in various wireless communication applications. Traditional methods, such as energy detection with thresholding, have limitations like detecting signals with low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This article proposes a novel deep learning-based approach for RF signal detection in the wideband spectrum. The objective is to accurately estimate the noise distribution in a wideband radio spectrogram and improve the detection performance by substracting it. The proposed method utilizes convolutional neural networks to analyze radio spectrograms. Model evaluation demonstrates that the RFROI-CNN approach outperforms the traditional energy detection with thresholding method by achieving significantly better detection results, even up to 6 dB, and expanding the capabilities of wideband spectrum sensing systems. The proposed approach, with its precise estimation of noise distribution and consideration of neighboring signal power values, proves to be a promising solution for RF signal detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Respicheck as suitable screening tool to detect respiratory muscle impairment in DM1. • Respicheck should not be used in clinical practice for DM2. • Respicheck is more aligned to manometric than spirometric pulmonary function values. Chronic hypoventilation due to involvement of respiratory muscles is a frequent symptom in autosomal dominant inherited myotonic dystrophies, especially in type 1 (DM1), leading to a severely reduced quality of life, an early need for ventilatory support, or premature death. Thus, early knowledge of respiratory muscle weakness is essential to initiate further diagnostic and therapeutic measures. To get early, simple, and reliable information about respiratory impairment in DM patients, we performed a prospective controlled cohort study with DM1 and DM2 patients analysing the suitability of ' Respiratory involvement symptom checklist (Respicheck) as a clinically meaningful screening questionnaire for ventilatory impairment in patients with DM1 or DM2. Clinical assessments included a one-time pulmonary function test (spirometry and manometry) and the completion of the Respicheck. 172 participants were enrolled in this study (74 DM1, 72 DM2, 26 healthy controls). With a cut-off Respicheck CAT score of 4, the Respicheck can distinguish between patients with and without respiratory impairment with higher sensitivity and positive predictive value for DM1 than DM2 patients (DM1: sensitivity 77–87; positive predictive value 50–94%; DM2: sensitivity 67–80%; positive predictive value 14–38). In summary, our results confirm a clinically meaningful use of the Respicheck to detect respiratory impairments predominantly in DM1 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present study was to assess the similarities and differences between parents from different cultures in terms of the intensity of parental identity processes described in the three-dimensional model of identity formation. The cultural measurement invariance of the questionnaire used, the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale-Parental Identity (U-MICS-PI), was also assessed. Participants were 2340 parents (51.4% of mothers) aged from 30 to 59 (M = 43.54; SD = 8.26). The study included parents from North America (USA), the Middle East (Israel), Central Europe (Poland), Africa (South Africa), and Eastern Asia (Japan). Results indicated the full configural, partial metric, and partial scalar invariance of the U-MICS-PI. A comparison of parents from the countries analyzed revealed that the parents from the United States and South Africa were characterized by a more firm commitment and lower level of reconsideration of commitment than those from Poland and Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Booster seats reduce injury in motor vehicle crashes, yet they are used less frequently than car seats and seat belts. Primary care providers are well positioned to educate and encourage families to use booster seats. We aimed to assess how a booster seat distribution program affected the documentation of restraint usage and anticipatory guidance at well-child visits at a pediatric primary care practice. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients aged 4 to 12 years from June to December in 2019 and 2020, representing before and after a booster seat program. The most frequently documented restraints in 2019 and 2020 were seat belts (51% vs 30%), booster seats (25% vs 27%), and not documented/unclear (17% vs 25%) (P <.001). The program significantly increased referrals for booster seats (P <.001). Despite significant differences in the proportion of children in each restraint category, overall booster seat use was similar between years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific investigation of dreams has attracted scholarly interest for well over a century, represented by an extensive body of knowledge. Yet, there is a dearth of studies regarding the breadth of investigatory interest areas representing this voluminous repository of research literature. The past 3 decades have seen the emergence of a rather distinguished publication with a focus on the subject matter of dreams, the journal Dreaming. In order to grasp the scope and investigatory domain on the topic of dreams, the current study reports on a bibliometric analysis of research studies published in Dreaming over the past 25 years (1998-2023). The analysis reviewed 600 articles; of these 28 were erratum, comments, editorials. Since the aim of the analysis was to include only primary research, these 28 references were deleted from the pool of articles. Thus, the total dataset represented 572 studies. The author determined the topical descriptor that reflected the main focus/aim of each study and maintained a frequency tally across individual topical categories. The top 10 investigatory subjects were (in rank order): Theory/model, nightmares, dream content, lucid dreaming, methods/types of data analysis, cross-cultural, dream recall, posttraumatic states, specific measures/scales related to dreaming, and neurophysiology. A myriad of salient topics received sparse coverage. Study 1 discusses the implications of these findings. Study 2 reviews research studies, indexed in PsycINFO, on the specific topic of colors in dreams, as this was an under-represented area of study in the journal Dreaming, based on the current bibliometric analysis. Researchers are urged to expand literature search strategies in order to obtain a comprehensive overview of select subject areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to identify developmental trajectories of parental burnout during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study was designed to assess whether changes in parental burnout were related to levels of perfectionism, sense of parental identity, and COVID‐related stress. Background: Parental burnout is a consequence of chronic stress associated with the role of a parent. However, little is still known about how parental burnout changes over time and which factors are responsible for it. Method: Parents (N = 376; 67% women) aged 19 to 30 years (M = 26.85 years, SD = 2.52) participated in all three waves of a longitudinal study spanning 12 months. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to determine parental burnout change trajectories. The R3STEP procedure was used to analyze the relationship between developmental trajectories identified and the other variables studied. Results: Three different trajectories of parental burnout were identified: high and stable (7%), low and stable (63%), and average and increasing (30%). Trajectories were associated with perfectionistic concerns, a sense of parental identity, and COVID‐related stress. Conclusion: The results revealed that most parents did not experience changes in parental burnout during the first year of the pandemic. However, up to one third of parents may have experienced a significant increase in symptoms during the study period. Implications: The findings from this study may be applicable to planning support programs for emerging adult parents at risk of burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Adaptive phase contrast microscopy to compensate for the meniscus effect" published in Scientific Reports. The correction addresses errors in Equations (2) - (5) in the Methods section, specifically in the derivation of the normal vector of the plane equation for the lower glass plate. The corrected equations accurately describe the relationship between the angles α and β and the plane E. The correction also provides formulas for calculating the values of a, b, and c based on the rotation angles of the plane. Additionally, Figure 3 has been updated to reflect the irrelevant norm of the vector. The original article has been corrected. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The pathogenesis of schizophrenia is multidimensional and intensively studied. The gut–brain axis disturbances might play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia. Methods: We compared the gut microbiota of 53 individuals with schizophrenia and 58 healthy controls, using the 16S rRNA sequencing method. Individuals with schizophrenia were assessed using the following scales: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Results: No significant between-group differences in α-diversity measures were observed. Increased abundance of Lactobacillales (order level), Bacilli (class level) and Actinobacteriota (phylum level) were found in individuals with schizophrenia regardless of potential confounding factors, and using two independent analytical approaches (the distance-based redundancy analysis and the generalised linear model analysis). Additionally, significant correlations between various bacterial taxa (the Bacteroidia class, the Actinobacteriota phylum, the Bacteroidota phylum, the Coriobacteriales order and the Coriobacteria class) and clinical manifestation (the severity of negative symptoms, performance of language abilities, social and occupational functioning) were observed. Conclusions: The present study indicates that gut microbiota alterations are present in European patients with schizophrenia. The abundance of certain bacterial taxa might be associated with the severity of negative symptoms, cognitive performance and general functioning. Nonetheless, additional studies are needed before the translation of our results into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allied health and nursing professionals (AHNP) are integral members of transplant teams. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, they were required to adapt to changes in their clinical practices. The goal of the present study was to describe AHNP perceptions concerning the impact of the pandemic on their roles, practice, and resource allocation. Methods: An online survey was distributed globally via email by the International Pediatric Transplant Association to AHNP at transplant centers from September to December 2020. Responses to open‐ended questions were collected using an electronic database. Using a thematic analysis approach, coding was conducted by three independent coders who identified patterns in responses, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion. Results: The majority of respondents (n = 119) were from North America (78%), with many other countries represented (e.g., the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Central and South America). Four main categories of impacts were identified: (1) workflow changes, (2) the quality of the work environment, (3) patient care, and (4) resources. Conclusions: Participants indicated that the pandemic heightened existing barriers and resource challenges frequently experienced by AHNP; however, the value of team connections and opportunities afforded by technology were also highlighted. Virtual care was seen as increasing healthcare access but concerns about the quality and consistency of care were also expressed. A notable gap in participant responses was identified; the vast majority did not identify any personal challenges connected with the pandemic (e.g., caring for children while working remotely, personal stress) which likely further impacted their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present the results of research on attitudes towards rape conducted in a group of 850 adult Poles, including 505 women, 310 men and 35 non-binary people, and to analyze their selected correlates: rape myth acceptance, right-wing authoritarianism and rape empathy. Non-binary people have only recently been included in research as a distinct group and little information can be found in the literature on the characteristics of their attitudes towards social problems. Therefore particular attention was paid to comparing the attitudes towards rape of non-binary people with those of women and men. In analyzing the results, the authors took into account the current socio-political situation in Poland. The results indicate that attitudes toward sexual aggression are related to the type of gender identification. The most positive attitudes towards rape victims among the groups participating in the research are held by non-binary people. Furthermore, attitudes towards rape are determined by rape myths, right-wing authoritarianism and empathy for victims of rape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding thermal history phosphors with high sensitivity and a consistent readout is required for reliable thermal history determination with high temperature resolution. This work presents a new thermal history phosphor based on the luminescence of Eu3+ ions in LaVO4 to meet these requirements. As demonstrated, raising the annealing temperature causes a structural phase transition from a low-temperature tetragonal phase to a high-temperature single-stranded phase. The associated change in the local point symmetry of the crystallographic site occupied by Eu3+ ions result in a significant decrease in the emission intensity ratio of the 5D0 → 7F2 band relative to the 5D0 → 7F1 band, which enables the development of the ratiometric thermal history phosphor with the relative sensitivity of 0.38% °C−1 at 800 °C. Its applicative potential for thermal history readout was proved in the proof-of-concept experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morpholine (MOR) has a broad spectrum of use and represents high risk of human exposure. Ingested MOR can undergo endogenous N-nitrosation in the presence of nitrosating agents forming N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR), classified as possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In this study, we evaluated the MOR toxicokinetics in six groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats orally exposed to 14C-radiolabelled MOR and NaNO2. The major urinary metabolite of MOR, N-nitrosohydroxyethylglycine (NHEG), was measured through HPLC as an index of endogenous N-nitrosation. Mass balance and toxicokinetic profile of MOR were determined by measuring radioactivity in blood/plasma and excreta. MOR reached maximum blood concentration 30 minutes after administration. Elimination rate was rapid (70% in 8h). Most of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine (80.9 ± 0.5%) and unchanged 14C-MOR was the main compound excreted in the urine (84% of the dose recovered). 5.8% of MOR is not absorbed and/or was not recovered. Endogenous nitrosation of MOR was demonstrated by the detection of NHEG. The maximum conversion rate found was 13.3 ± 1.2% and seems to be impacted by the MOR/NaNO2 ratio. These results help refining our knowledge of the endogenous production of NMOR, a possible human carcinogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase contrast is one of the most important microscopic methods for making visible transparent, unstained cells. Cell cultures are often cultivated in microtiter plates, consisting of several cylindrical wells. The surface tension of the culture medium forms a liquid lens within the well, causing phase contrast conditions to fail in the more curved edge areas, preventing cell observation. Adaptive phase contrast microscopy is a method to strongly increase the observable area by optically compensating for the meniscus effect. The microscope's condenser annulus is replaced by a transmissive LCD to allow dynamic changes. A deformable, liquid-filled prism is placed in the illumination path. The prism's surface angle is adaptively inclined to refract transmitted light so that the tangential angle of the liquid lens can be compensated. Besides the observation of the phase contrast image, a beam splitter allows to simultaneously view condenser annulus and phase ring displacement. Algorithms analyze the displacement to dynamically adjust the LCD and prism to guarantee phase contrast conditions. Experiments show a significant increase in observable area, especially for small well sizes. For 96-well-plates, more than twelve times the area can be examined under phase contrast conditions instead of standard phase contrast microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main Forecasting Problems There are different types of forecasting problems that can arise in electricity demand forecasting, including: Very short-term forecasting, which refers to the prediction of electricity demand or production for a time horizon from seconds to a few hours ahead. The applications of long-term forecasts of wind farm power generation are, e.g., maintenance scheduling, wind farm design, electricity market restructuring, and optimization of operating costs. A modern power system is a complex network of interconnected components, such as generators, transmission lines, and distribution subsystems, that are designed to provide electricity to consumers in an efficient and reliable manner. A power system requires forecasts that predict the future electricity demand, the power generation from RESs, and meteorological data that are important regarding consumer demand and the level of generation from RESs. [Extracted from the article]

Background Detection and management of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) within primary healthcare is crucial for achieving schistosomiasis elimination, however, current technical strategies are not feasible in many settings. In Nigeria, there are currently no established standard operating procedures to support front-line health workers. This article presents an evaluation of piloting an FGS care package in two LGAs of Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods We used quantitative and qualitative analysis, including 46 interviews with patients, health workers and the quality improvement team; observations of training, learning sessions and supervision across 23 heath facilities; and records of patients detected and managed. Results Of 79 women and girls who were screened, 66 were treated and followed up. Health workers assimilated knowledge of FGS and effectively diagnosed and managed patients, demonstrating the feasibility of using symptomatic screening and treatment tools to diagnose and care for women or girls with suspected FGS. Challenges included establishing a referral pathway to tertiary care for patients with complications, insecurity, gender norms that limited uptake and sensitization, the limited capacity of the workforce, conflicting priorities and praziquantel acquisition. Conclusions Simple tools can be used in primary healthcare settings to detect and manage women and girls with FGS. Contextual challenges must be addressed. Sustainability will require political and financial commitments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]