Search

The article shows the use of augmented reality technology and the creation of a mobile application for advertising educational services of the Faculty of Information and Computer Technologies of the Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Ukraine. The research method is the use of augmented reality technology to create mobile applications using the Vuforia platform. The developed application is intended for use on devices running on the Android operating system. As a result of this work, a mobile software application was designed and created to promote educational services of the Faculty. Animated 3D models created using the Blender package, cards with information on each specialty and animated videos were created. There is a possibility of direct transition from the mobile application to external information resources. The proposed development can be used to promote the educational opportunities of the educational institution, increase the information value of advertising paper advertising and greater interest of entrants. Mobile application prototype tested in production environment and can be used by multiple faculties. For use by other faculties, information about the relevant specialties must be added to the program. As a result of using the developed mobile application, the number of applications from entrants to the faculty has increased by 40 percent over the past three years.

Large earthquakes can contribute to mountain growth by building topography, but also contribute to mass removal from mountain ranges through widespread mass wasting. On annual to decadal timescales, large earthquakes also have the potential to significantly alter fluvial sediment dynamics if a significant volume of the sediment generated reaches the fluvial network. In this contribution, we focus on the Melamchi-Indrawati and Bhote Koshi rivers in central Nepal, which have both experienced widespread landsliding associated with the 2015 Gorkha (Nepal) earthquake. Using a time series of high-resolution satellite imagery, we have mapped exposed gravel along the river from 2012–2021 to identify zones of active channel deposition and document changes over time. Counter to expectations, we show negligible increases in coarse sediment accumulation in both catchments since the Gorkha earthquake. However, an extremely high concentration flow event on 15 June 2021 caused an approximately four-fold increase in exposed gravel along a 30 km reach of the channel with up to 12 m of channel aggradation in the Melamchi-Indrawati rivers; this event was localised and did not impact the neighbouring Bhote Koshi catchment. Based on published reports, new helicopter based photography and satellite data, we demonstrate that this event was sourced from a localised rainfall event between 4500 and 4800 m, and that the majority of the sediment was supplied from sources that were unrelated to the landslides generated by the Gorkha earthquake.

Physical activity, particularly walking, is commonly used for the treatment of diseases such as low back pain. In this study, the effects of walking wearing the new ToneFit Reha training belt (TFR) were compared to both Nordic walking and regular walking. The TFR is intended to intensify the effects of walking through the integration of two adjustable resistance handles. Ten patients with low back pain performed regular walking, Nordic walking, and walking with the TFR in a movement laboratory. The kinematics of the trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities were measured, and the activity of the trunk and upper extremity muscles recorded. Data were analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-test. Kinematics indicated that walking with the TFR introduces instability that was mitigated by a delayed peak trunk rotation (peak at 63.3% gait cycle, vs. 52.8% in walking (p = .001) and 51.0% in NW (p = .007)). Upper extremity kinematics (constrained elbow flexion, high peak shoulder abduction) showed movement patterns that need to be considered when training over a longer period. Increased muscle activity was observed especially for upper extremity muscles, when training with TFR. Overall, walking with the TFR was found to be a suitable therapy for use in a rehabilitation setting.

BACKGROUND: The Munich Swallowing Score (MUCSS) is a clinician rated scale for the assessment of the functional level of swallowing saliva/secretions, food and liquids. The MUCSS consists of two eight-point subscales, MUCSS-Saliva and MUCSS-Nutrition. In a previous article, content validity and interrater reliability were described. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate criterion validity and sensitivity to change of the MUCSS. METHODS: The research was conducted at a tertiary care academic hospital. Data were collected retrospectively in a cohort of 100 acute and subacute neurologic patients. Criterion validity was judged by comparison to the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS), the Barthel Index (BI), Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index (ERI), Extended Barthel Index (EBI) and also by comparison to three physiological scales drawn from FEES videos: The Penetration - Aspiration Scale (PAS), the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (YPR) and the Murray Secretion Scale (MSS). Changes in oral intake and saliva swallowing were followed up for three months. RESULTS: Between MUCSS and scores directly reflecting dysphagic symptoms (GUSS, PAS, YPR, MSS, ERI), strong to moderate correlations were found, weaker but statistically significant associations were seen with global measures of disability (BI isolated, EBI-subscale cognitive functions). MUCSS was sensitive to positive change of saliva swallowing and oral intake during the recovery period. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that the MUCCS is a valid scale and may be appropriate for documenting clinical change in swallowing abilities of patients with neurogenic dysphagia.

The aim of this study is to report two cases of paediatric Yolk sac tumours (YST) of the orbit and sinonasal tract, with a major review on the subject. Two case reports along with a comprehensive retrospective literature review of all English language publications between 1974 and 2021 is presented. Literature review examined the demographics, clinical presentation and diagnostic and prognostic factors of extragonadal YSTs of the orbit and sinonasal tract. Orbit and sinuses are rare sites for YST, with only 25 paediatric cases reported in the literature. Extragonadal yolk sac tumours carry a significantly worse outcome than those localised to the gonads, with the 5-year survival of 66% and 81–89%, respectively. Our review found the median age of presentation to be 18 months (18 months for males and 24 months for females), and females are more commonly affected. The most common presentations were proptosis, facial swelling and ophthalmoplegia. Treatments and therefore outcomes varied in the cases due to the large time period. Of the cases reported in the last 10 years, all patients with data provided were alive and disease-free at follow-up. Sino-orbital yolk sac tumours are rare and have variable presentations, dependent on the extent of local invasion. Early diagnosis and treatment with multimodal therapy are paramount in having improved overall survival.

This manuscript outlines various types of review articles as forms of evidence synthesis with special regard to their strengths and limitations. Review articles not only present summarised data, but also offer an evaluation of the quality of the individual studies included in it. The validity and the reliability of outcomes of reviews is strongly dependent on the quality of the data included. For this reason, a comprehensive literature selection process is paramount. Fundamental knowledge of bias and literature assessment is also necessary when reading reviews. This article presents selected tools for evidence appraisal and evaluation of bias risk.Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Arten von Reviews (Übersichtsarbeiten) als Formen der Evidenzsynthese mit besonderem Hinblick auf deren Stärken sowie Limitationen. Reviews können Wissen in aggregierter Form beschreiben und erlauben zusätzlich eine Bewertung der Studienqualität eingeschlossener Arbeiten. Die Aussagekraft bzw. die Vertrauenswürdigkeit der Ergebnisse eines Reviews hängt stark von der Qualität der eingeschlossenen Daten ab, weswegen eine konsequente Auswahlstrategie notwendig ist. Ein Basiswissen zur Literaturbewertung und zu möglichen Verzerrungseffekten ist auch in der Betrachtung von Übersichtsarbeiten notwendig. Zu diesem Zweck werden in diesem Artikel auch ausgewählte Werkzeuge zur Evidenzbewertung und zur Beurteilung des Biasrisikos vorgestellt.

Objectives: Commentaries have suggested that initial emphasis on the higher susceptibility and mortality rates of older adults to COVID-19 has instigated ageism within the public discourse and policy decisions. Using the health belief model, the current study examined ageism in interaction with other factors influencing intention to social distance. Methods: Threat of contracting COVID-19, benefits and barriers to social distancing, benevolent and hostile ageism, and intention to social distance were examined in 960 adults ( M = 37.81 years, SD = 11.65). Results: Benevolent and hostile ageism were significant moderators for both perceived threat and barriers on intent to social distance; hostile ageism also moderated benefits on intent to social distance. Discussion: The current study demonstrates how ageism influences behavior during a pandemic. With initial reports of COVID-19 presenting older adults as a homogenous group, ageism negatively interacted with intention to social distance and may place older adults at greater risk.

Bei einem 36-jahrigen Patienten wurde eine allogene Nierentransplantation durchgefuhrt (Match 1‑1‑0, Zytomegalievirus [CMV] Donor [D] +/Empfanger −, hohes Risiko). Elf Jahre zuvor war es zu einer Dialysepflichtigkeit im Rahmen einer bioptisch gesicherten tubulointerstitiellen Nephritis gekommen. Nach Transplantation ereignete sich im Verlauf des initialen stationaren Aufenthalts ein sukzessiver Hamoglobinabfall von 11,4 g/dl auf 7,3 g/dl. Initial war dies erklart durch die stattgehabte Nierentransplantation und einer chronisch fibrosierende Antrumgastritis mit Erosionen. Trotz wiederholter Transfusion von Erythrozytenkonzentraten bestand eine refraktare Anamie, weswegen sich der Patient mehrfach in unserer Klinik zur weiteren Diagnostik und Therapie vorstellte. Bei Darstellung von Riesenproerythroblasten im Knochenmark sowie dem quantitativen Nachweis von Parvovirus B19 (>900 Mio. IU/ml DNA-Replikationen) imponierte das Bild einer virusassoziierten Aplasie der Erythropoese. Eine intravenose Immunglobulinapplikation wurde etabliert und zeigte einen langfristigen therapeutischen Erfolg.

Speculation about the effects of COVID-19, especially on youth social development, has been mixed. This study aimed to examine change in loneliness and belongingness into the first month of stay-at-home orders (January through April 2020).College students (Participants completed online surveys at the beginning and the end of the semester assessing change in well-being.Results revealed that loneliness scores significantly decreased, and belongingness scores significantly increased from Time 1 to Time 2. Among those who experienced increased belongingness, loneliness significantly decreased while there was not a significant change in loneliness among those who decreased in belongingness.These findings suggest that increasing belongingness should be a focus when trying to combat loneliness, especially in young adults experiencing a dramatic life event during a critical time for social development.

Objectives Older adults vary in their safe and unsafe sexual behaviors. While researchers are beginning to understand more about the sexual and intimate expression of older adults, only recently are they beginning to understand how older adults make decisions about sexual risk. Bandura's social cognitive theory offers a frame for understanding how self-efficacy, environmental factors, and goal motivation are related to sexual risk behaviors for older adults, including the interplay between these variables. Methods Using a diverse sample of older adults (n = 720) age 50+ years, social cognitive theory was modeled to determine the relationship between environment variables (age, gender, and sexual health conversations with practitioners), behavioral variables (self-efficacy), and cognitive variables (importance of sexual wellness goals) with the outcome variable of sexual risk behaviors. Results Self-efficacy had an indirect effect on sexual risk via sexual wellness goal motivation. Healthcare provider conversations had both direct and indirect effects on older adults' sexual risk through sexual wellness goal motivation. Models were similarly predictive for older men and women. Conclusions Sexual risk behaviors among older adults are more influenced by environmental factors in their healthcare settings and their perception and prioritization of sexual wellness goals. Clinical implications Providers play a key role in initiating and maintaining sexual health discussions with older patients, potentially mitigating sexual risk and bolstering self-efficacy.

Background and Objectives It is not fully understood how large-scale events affect well-being. Older adults showed the highest levels of resilience following the September 11th (9/11) terrorist attacks, but during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, there were no age-related differences in well-being. The current study examined the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disruption on well-being throughout adulthood. Research Design and Methods Perceived stress and affect were examined in 166 community-dwelling adults (Mage = 35.65; SD = 15.53; range = 18–79) in relation to the perceived disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic to their lives. Results A significant moderation was found for age and COVID-19 disruption on perceived stress [F(5, 153) = 8.88, p < .05, R2 = .22] and negative affect [F(5, 154) = 4.91, p < .05, R2 = .14], but not for positive affect. For participants over 50, those who rated COVID-19 as a low or high disruption had similar scores on stress and negative affect, but with younger aged participants, perceiving high disruption corresponded with higher levels of stress and negative affect. Discussion and Implications Findings are consistent with the strength and vulnerability integration (SAVI) model, wherein older adults try to maintain positive emotional well-being, with middle-aged and older adults in the current study having experienced less negative impact on well-being. Middle-aged and older adults may be better able to regulate negative emotions from COVID-19 than younger adults. SAVI proposes a greater negative impact on older adults when they experience sustained stressors; as the challenges with COVID-19 continue, further data will need to be examined.

Information on the extent of genetic differentiation among seabird populations is essential for conservation planning. Here we used, for the first time in little penguins (Eudyptula minor), a next generation sequencing approach to investigate population genetic structure, gene flow and inbreeding among eight colonies in South Australia. We found that Troubridge Island individuals were genetically distinct from the other sampled colonies, and that colonies on all islands were connected by moderate levels of gene flow possibly due to migration from the Kangaroo Island colonies. While further genetic sampling is needed, these data support the idea that South Australia may be a zone of subtle and rapid genetic change for little penguins.

Demand to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population is high. Students outside of gerontology programs, however, remain resistant to enrolling in aging coursework, which are often electives within or outside their degree programs. A life-span development course, however, is likely to be a requirement in many disciplines. In a multigenerational workforce spanning five generations and with intergenerational conflict making media headlines, students must understand how to navigate age-diverse climates. We advocate that a course in life-span development can serve as both a recruitment tool for driving interest in aging-related careers and an access point for preparing students to enter a sometimes contentious, multigenerational workforce. We illustrate how knowledge of developmental influences across the lifespan may lead to a better understanding of individual similarities and differences in developmental experiences, fostering intergenerational cohesion throughout one’s career.

The new decision support tool Glucosafe 2 (GS2) is based on a mathematical model of glucose and insulin dynamics, designed to assist caregivers in blood glucose control and nutrition. This study aims to assess end-user acceptance and usability of this bedside decision support tool in an adult intensive care setting. Caregivers were first trained and then invited to trial GS2 prototype on bedside computers. Data for qualitative analysis were collected through semi-structured interviews from twenty users after minimum three trial days. Most caregivers (70%) rated GS2 as convenient and believed it would help improving adherence to current guidelines (85%). Moreover, most nurses (80%) believed that GS2 would be timesaving. Nurses' risk perceptions and manual data entry emerged as central barriers to use GS2 in routine practice. Issues emerged from the caregivers were compiled into a list of 12 modifications of the GS2 prototype to increase end-user acceptance and usability. This usability study showed that GS2 was considered by ICU caregivers as helpful in daily clinical practice, allowing time-saving and better standardization of ICU patient’s care. Important issues were raised by the users with implications for the development and deployment of GS2. Integrating the technology into existing IT infrastructure may facilitate caregivers’ acceptance. Further clinical studies of the performance and potential health outcomes are warranted.

Der Anteil an Kremationen (Feuerbestattungen) nimmt in Deutschland seit Jahren zu und umfasst bereits mehr als 65 % aller Bestattungen. Grenzwerte für die Emissionen von Feinstaub oder die Anzahl ultrafeiner Partikel (UFP) existieren nicht und bisher sind auch keine systematischen Untersuchungen bekannt, welche Partikelemissionen in Krematorien auftreten. Daher kann zum aktuellen Zeitpunkt nicht beurteilt werden, ob es sich bei Krematorien um nennenswerte Feinstaubquellen handelt. Um diese Lücke zu schließen, wurden die reingasseitigen UFP-Konzentrationen in zehn Krematorien unterschiedlichen Bau- bzw. Modernisierungsjahres und mit verschiedenen Abgasreinigungstechnologien gemessen. Über die Kremationsdauer gemittelte UFP-Konzentrationen zwischen 1,19 · 10³ und 4,26 · 107 cm–3 wurden erfasst. Die höchsten Konzentrationen zeigten sich bei Anlagen mit Flugstromverfahren, deren Filtereinheiten unmittelbar vor der nächsten Revision standen. Bei Anlagen gleichen Typs mit gewarteten Filtereinheiten lag die mittlere UFP-Konzentration zwei Größenordnungen darunter.

The aim of this study was to explore differences in trunk muscle activity on a stable and mobile seat for people after stroke and healthy participants. Trunk control exercises are known to have a beneficial effect on trunk control, balance, and mobility after stroke. The effect of such exercises could be enhanced by the use of a mobile seat to provide further training stimuli. However, little research on the musculoskeletal effects of trunk training on mobile seats has been carried out. On a stable and a mobile seat, thirteen people after stroke and fifteen healthy participants performed two selective trunk control exercises, which were lateral flexion initiated by the pelvis and the thorax. The maximal surface electromyography relative to static sitting of the muscles multifidus, erector spinae, and obliquus externus was recorded bilaterally. The effects of group, seat condition, trunk control exercise, and muscle side were investigated employing within-subject linear-mixed-models. Compared to the stable seat, the maximal muscle activity of people after stroke on the mobile seat was higher during the thorax-initiated exercise and lower during the pelvis-initiated exercise. Healthy participants showed opposite results with higher muscle activity on the mobile seat during the pelvis-initiated exercise. For trunk control training on a mobile seat with high muscle activation people after stroke should perform trunk control exercises initiated by the thorax, for training with lower muscle activity people after stroke should initiate selective trunk movements by the pelvis. The results can support the planning of progressive trunk control rehabilitation programs.

Older adults are sexual beings with complex sexual lives. However, this runs contrary to the stigma, stereotypes, and biases that individuals carry, society projects, and media displays. This chapter attempts to highlight the challenges and strengths encountered by older adults as they navigate not just sexual dysfunction but also sexual wellness. Using a systemic and holistic approach to understand sexual wellness, the authors, guided by theory, offer contextual understanding of the lives of older adults, provide insights into the experiences of older adults in long term care facilities, and offer an overview of methods and measures used to provide high-quality, culturally-infused, and age-informed care to older adults.

Repeated injections of iodinated contrast media (CM) can lead to a deterioration of the renal blood flow, can redistribute blood from the renal cortex to other parts of the kidney and can cause small decreases of the blood flow in cortical capillaries, a significant reduction in blood flow in peritubular capillaries and a significant reduction in blood flow in the vasa recta. Therefore, a study in pigs was designed, to show whether the repeated injection of CM boli, alone, can cause a reduction of oxygenation in the cortico-medullar renal tissue – the region with the highest oxygen demand in the kidney - of pigs. While the mean pO2-value had only decreased by 0.3 mmHg from 29.9±4.3 mmHg to 29.6±4.3 mmHg (p = 0.8799) after the tenth Iodixanol bolus, it decreased by 5.9 mmHg from 34.0±4.3 mmHg to 28.1±4.3 mmHg after the tenth Iopromide bolus (p = 0.044). This revealed a remarkable difference in the influence of these CM on the oxygen partial pressure in the kidney. Repeated applications of CM had a significant influence on the renal oxygen partial pressure. In line with earlier studies showing a redistribution of blood from the cortex to other renal areas, this study revealed that Iodixanol – in contrast to Iopromide - induced no changes in the pO2 in the cortico-medullar region which confirms that Iodixanol did not hinder the flow of blood through the renal micro-vessels. These results are in favor of a hypothesis from Brezis that a microcirculatory disorder might be the basis for the development of CI-AKI.

Significance Seagrass meadows colonize shallow coastlines around the world and represent sites of intense carbon cycling. Due to their capacity to produce methane, seagrass ecosystems constitute net sources of methane to the atmosphere. Here, we identify key processes and microorganisms responsible for methane formation in seagrass-covered sediments in the Mediterranean Sea. Our work shows that methane is solely formed from methylated compounds that are produced and released by the plant itself. Due to the persistence of these compounds in buried plant material, microbial methane production continues long after the death of the living plant. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of methane production in seagrass habitats, thereby contributing to our knowledge on these important blue carbon ecosystems.

Background and Aims Most amputation procedures at the shoulder joint, on patients suffering from pathological humerus fractures are performed under general anesthesia.Here we show a case of an American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (ASA) III patient, scheduled for amputation of the humerus, at the shoulder joint. Due to a high risk procedure under general anesthesia, we decided to apply interscalene and paravertebral blocks along with intravenous sedation. Methods A 55-year-old male, ASA III patient, was scheduled for amputation of his right humerus. The patient had a history of bladder cancer with multiple metastases on the lungs, lymph nodes and bones. He also suffered from a pathological fracture of left humerus, with presence of left-hand cellulitis. During preparation for surgery, an invasive blood pressure measurement was set up, while the interscalene and paravertebral spaces were identified using a nerve-stimulating needle and a linear ultrasound probe of 8 and 12 Hertz. An anesthetic solution of 0.5% levobupivacaine was applied at Thoracic (Th) 2 and Th3 levels (5 milliliters per level) and to the brachial plexus (20 milliliters). We used 1% lidocaine for skin infiltration and sedation was performed with a continuous infusion of 1% propofol. Results Sensory blockade occurred after 18 minutes and lasted for about 16 hours in the shoulder and 10 hours in the axilla region, with stable hemodynamic parameters and no perioperative complications. Conclusions Such precise administration of small doses of long-acting local anesthetic at multiple levels has resulted in a satisfactory anesthesia and analgesia without hemodynamic and respiratory complications.

As the impact of COVID-19 continues, engagement in social distancing is essential. Using Social Cognitive Theory, the current study examined the unique roles of COVID-19 anxiety and self-efficacy on the relationships between information-seeking and risk perception as predictors of social distancing intention. A convenience sample of 960 adults (M = 37.81 years, SD = 11.65) completed an author-designed online survey. Participants completed measures on behavioral intention, information-seeking, risk perception, COVID-19 anxiety, and self-efficacy. Moderated mediations examined the theoretically proposed relationships among the variables. COVID-19 anxiety moderated the relationship between risk perception and self-efficacy, but not the association between information-seeking and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy mediated the role of risk perception and information-seeking on behavioral intent. Self-efficacy was strongly associated with social distancing intention, consistent with previous research and underscoring the need to identify factors influencing self-efficacy in the context of a pandemic. Risk perception and information-seeking both directly and indirectly related to intention to social distance, with COVID-19 anxiety dampening the influence of perceived risk on self-efficacy. The roles of risk perception and information-seeking in relation to self-efficacy suggest the need to adequately describe risk, reduce pandemic-related anxiety, and provide accurate, transparent information.

BackgroundRecent studies have shown a lack of implementation of gout recommendations in primary care. In this context of therapeutic inertia, the French Society of Rheumatology (SFR) published its first recommendations on gout (RECO) in 2020 [1,2], which were deliberately simple and concise.ObjectivesTo determine the profile of patients referred to French gout expert centres, and to examine the results of their management.MethodsThree hundred patients attending a first visit for gout management in three French referral centres were retrospectively included. Visits were performed at baseline (M0) and scheduled for month 6 (M6), month 12 (M12), and month 24 (M24). Data collected included: patient profile; disease activity and treatments; serum urate (SU) level; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).ResultsPatients were 81% male, mean age 62.2 ± 15.2 years, 42.7% prevalence of eGFR 2, 28.1% diabetes mellitus, and 25.4% had a history of major cardiovascular event. Management followed French recommendations after the baseline visit in 94.9% of cases. Overall, 50 patients (16.7%) received off-label anakinra for flare treatment or flare prophylaxis. SU levels were below 6.0mg/dL in 59.4% of patients at M6, 67.9% at M12, and 78.6% at M24. At M24, 50% of patients were treated with allopurinol (313 ± 105 mg/d), which exceeded renal restrictions of doses in 61.5% of them, and 48.2% received febuxostat (84 ± 36mg/d). At inclusion, 94% of patients had experienced at least one flare in the previous six months, versus 23.6% at M12, and 13.1% at M24 (of which 8/12 (66.7%) had SU>6.0mg/dL).ConclusionSimple application of gout management guidelines is feasible in clinical practice, and is efficient with a majority of patients achieving SU targets and clinical improvement. A minority of patients in referral centres have ‘difficult-to-treat’ gout requiring specific management.References[1]Latourte A, et al. 2020 Recommendations from the French Society of Rheumatology for the management of gout: Management of acute flares. Joint Bone Spine 2020;87:387-93.[2]Pascart T, et al. 2020 recommendations from the French Society of Rheumatology for the management of gout: Urate-lowering therapy. Joint Bone Spine 2020;87:395- 404.Disclosure of InterestsCharlotte Jauffret: None declared, Sebastien Ottaviani: None declared, Augustin Latourte Consultant of: Novartis, Hang Korng Ea: None declared, Sahara Graf: None declared, Frederic Lioté Grant/research support from: for the European Crystal Network workshops from Astra-Zeneca, Grunenthal, Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Ipsen Pharma, Menarini France and global, Novartis France, Olatec, Selecta, SOBI, Thomas Bardin Consultant of: Astra-Zeneca, Biomex, Grunenthal, Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Ipsen Pharma, Menarini France and global, Novartis France, Savient and Sobi, Pascal Richette: None declared, Tristan Pascart Consultant of: from Novartis, Grant/research support from: from Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Variant Bio

Chain affiliation is widespread in the hotel industry. It has also attracted a lot of academic attention. While a large number of studies have examined whether affiliated hotels outperform independent hotels in terms of occupancy, ADR and RevPAR, research on the chain affiliation - guest satisfaction relationship is scarce. In this study, we explore the impact of chain affiliation on guest satisfaction and guest satisfaction extremeness, which is defined as the extent to which a hotel’s guest satisfaction deviates from the industry average. We also examine whether the relationships between chain affiliation, guest satisfaction and guest satisfaction extremeness are contingent on market segments. Using a large sample of 35.000 hotels, we find evidence that chain affiliation increases guest satisfaction, but decreases guest satisfaction extremeness. In addition, the positive chain affiliation - guest satisfaction relationship and the negative chain affiliation - guest satisfaction relationship are stronger in higher quality market segments. Taken together, our findings suggest that chain affiliation is a double-edged sword for hotels, particularly in higher quality market segments.

Symbiotic N2-fixing microorganisms have a crucial role in the assimilation of nitrogen by eukaryotes in nitrogen-limited environments1–3. Particularly among land plants, N2-fixing symbionts occur in a variety of distantly related plant lineages and often involve an intimate association between host and symbiont2,4. Descriptions of such intimate symbioses are lacking for seagrasses, which evolved around 100 million years ago from terrestrial flowering plants that migrated back to the sea5. Here we describe an N2-fixing symbiont, ‘Candidatus Celerinatantimonas neptuna’, that lives inside seagrass root tissue, where it provides ammonia and amino acids to its host in exchange for sugars. As such, this symbiosis is reminiscent of terrestrial N2-fixing plant symbioses. The symbiosis between Ca. C. neptuna and its host Posidonia oceanica enables highly productive seagrass meadows to thrive in the nitrogen-limited Mediterranean Sea. Relatives of Ca. C. neptuna occur worldwide in coastal ecosystems, in which they may form similar symbioses with other seagrasses and saltmarsh plants. Just like N2-fixing microorganisms might have aided the colonization of nitrogen-poor soils by early land plants6, the ancestors of Ca. C. neptuna and its relatives probably enabled flowering plants to invade nitrogen-poor marine habitats, where they formed extremely efficient blue carbon ecosystems7., The N2-fixing symbiont ‘Candidatus Celerinatantimonas neptuna’ lives inside the root tissue of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica, providing ammonia and amino acids to its host in exchange for sugars and enabling highly productive seagrass meadows to thrive in the nitrogen-limited Mediterranean Sea.

Automotive radar systems in automobiles are key for automated and connected driving. Conventionally, functional tests and safety validation of automotive radar systems are carried out in field-operational tests, but are very resource-expensive and they offer neither reproducibility nor reliability. To improve efficiency and reliability, though at the expense of a partial loss of realism, a controlled test environment is required in which repeatability is guaranteed. We proposed previously a system concept for over-the-air testing of radar systems with a vehicle-in-the-loop approach in a virtual environment. For the test in a controlled environment, a realistic simulation of the radar scenario-under-test is necessary. Technological achievements in hardware, software, and computational power have made powerful radar target simulators and real-time capable control computers available. However, for the spatial degrees-of-freedom, which are key to emulate relevant test cases with dynamic evolution in the virtual environment, the illumination antennas of the radar target simulator must be positioned with high speed, accuracy, and over sufficient angular ranges. This paper describes our hybrid electronic-mechanical antenna positioner, offering three motional degrees-of-freedom. Initial trials with a modern commercially available automotive radar installed in a passenger car are presented and they indicate very promising results.

Automotive millimeter-wave radar systems are key to automated and connected driving technologies. It is necessary to validate their functional performance in the installed state thoroughly, reliably, and efficiently under realistic conditions before deploying them in real-world traffic. Field-operational tests are the ultimate phase of verification and validation of radar sensors. This approach offers the highest degree of realism yet consuming enormous resources and associated risks. Additionally, these drive tests are neither sufficiently reproducible nor controllable. On the other hand, computer simulation-based closed-loop test approaches overcome these limitations, but lack physically realistic environments. Therefore, over-the-air testing approaches have gained great relevance in this context. In earlier work, we proposed an advanced system concept using an over-the-air vehicle-in-the-loop (OTA/ViL) approach for evaluating the installed performance of fully operational automotive radar systems. In this paper, we present the complete test system in a closed loop in a virtual electromagnetic environment with realistic radar target echoes. An exemplary traffic scenario is considered to validate the performance of the implemented test system. Initial measurements provide promising results.

Mitochondria are specialized eukaryotic organelles that have a dedicated function in oxygen respiration and energy production. They evolved about 2 billion years ago from a free-living bacterial ancestor (probably an alphaproteobacterium), in a process known as endosymbiosis1,2. Many unicellular eukaryotes have since adapted to life in anoxic habitats and their mitochondria have undergone further reductive evolution3. As a result, obligate anaerobic eukaryotes with mitochondrial remnants derive their energy mostly from fermentation4. Here we describe ‘Candidatus Azoamicus ciliaticola’, which is an obligate endosymbiont of an anaerobic ciliate and has a dedicated role in respiration and providing energy for its eukaryotic host. ‘Candidatus A. ciliaticola’ contains a highly reduced 0.29-Mb genome that encodes core genes for central information processing, the electron transport chain, a truncated tricarboxylic acid cycle, ATP generation and iron–sulfur cluster biosynthesis. The genome encodes a respiratory denitrification pathway instead of aerobic terminal oxidases, which enables its host to breathe nitrate instead of oxygen. ‘Candidatus A. ciliaticola’ and its ciliate host represent an example of a symbiosis that is based on the transfer of energy in the form of ATP, rather than nutrition. This discovery raises the possibility that eukaryotes with mitochondrial remnants may secondarily acquire energy-providing endosymbionts to complement or replace functions of their mitochondria., ‘Candidatus Azoamicus ciliaticola’ transfers energy to its ciliate host in the form of ATP and enables this host to breathe nitrate, demonstrating that eukaryotes with remnant mitochondria can secondarily acquire energy-providing endosymbionts.

Clinical trials; Liver transplant; Quality of life Ensayos clínicos; Trasplante de hígado; Calidad de vida Assaigs clínics; Trasplantament de fetge; Qualitat de vida Management of decompensated cirrhosis is currently geared towards the treatment of complications once they occur. To date there is no established disease-modifying therapy aimed at halting progression of the disease and preventing the development of complications in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The design of clinical trials to investigate new therapies for patients with decompensated cirrhosis is complex. The population of patients with decompensated cirrhosis is heterogeneous (i.e., different etiologies, comorbidities and disease severity), leading to the inclusion of diverse populations in clinical trials. In addition, primary endpoints selected for trials that include patients with decompensated cirrhosis are not homogeneous and at times may not be appropriate. This leads to difficulties in comparing results obtained from different trials. Against this background, the LiverHope Consortium organized a meeting of experts, the goal of which was to develop recommendations for the design of clinical trials and to define appropriate endpoints, both for trials aimed at modifying the natural history and preventing progression of decompensated cirrhosis, as well as for trials aimed at managing the individual complications of cirrhosis.