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Oxygen sensor system: real-time absorbance-based monitoring system for tracking oxygen release from tunable anthracene-endoperoxide molecules
No full textReal-time monitoring of oxygen release is essential for actuation technologies that rely on regulated oxygen flow to convert chemical energy into functional energy output. A precise sensing approach is required to quantitatively link the decomposition kinetics of oxygen-releasing compounds with the amount of oxygen generated over time. This work presents a compact optical sensing system designed to track oxygen release from water-soluble anthracene-endoperoxide (ANT-EPO) molecules through absorbance-based detection. ANT-EPO decomposes in aqueous solution, forming anthracene (ANT) and releasing molecular oxygen, with distinct absorbance changes at 265 nm (ANT-EPO) and 400 nm (ANT). By targeting these wavelengths, the system quantitatively tracks ANT formation and indirectly the corresponding released oxygen. The setup employs UV and deep-UV LEDs (400 nm, and 265 nm). Experimental results showed strong agreement when compared with a benchtop UV–vis spectrometer, and with theoretical predictions (Pearson r = 0.995–0.999; RMSE < 0.035). The system demonstrated high repeatability (RSD < 0.1 % at 400 nm; 0.5 % at 265 nm) and sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.305 µM. Experimentally derived oxygen release profiles followed the expected reaction behavior and were validated through log-log analysis across multiple concentrations. These findings position ANT-EPO as a reliable oxygen source and demonstrate the sensing system’s suitability for kinetic tracking of oxygen-releasing compounds. This work provides a foundation for the development of responsive materials capable of controlled actuation through oxygen release
The impact of sex, variable stimulation mode and parameters on mfb-DBS evoked dopamine release dynamics in a rodent depression model
No full textBackgroundSuperolateral medial forebrain bundle (mfb) DBS has shown rapid and lasting antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Diverse stimulation parameters recruit the unmyelinated dopaminergic (DA) or the other myelinated mfb projections differently and with variable effects on the reward circuitry. Prior studies have demonstrated acute differences in DA release across depressive and healthy models with varying pulse widths (PWs).ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of diverse mfb-DBS parameters (frequency/ PW) on tonic and phasic DA release and tonic DA activity during behavior tests, examining sex differences and unilateral versus bilateral DBS across depression-like (FSL) and control (SD) models.MethodsFiber Photometry was used to monitor DA activity evoked by unilateral and bilateral mfb stimulation under different conditions, including during behavioral tasks, and across the experimental models.Resultsi.) mfb-DBS increased DA release across parameters in both models, with high frequency leading to synchronized peak release and larger increments; ii.) FSL animals exhibited sustained DA responses compared to the healthy controls, especially in males, at the latest phase of the DBS interval; iii.) SDs showed larger tonic activity changes pre- and post-DBS; and iv.) FSL females displayed more DA transients in anxiety-inducing behavioral context.LimitationsThe study did not examine phenotypic changes nor assess the contribution of each fiber type to the neurotransmitter release, leaving open whether unilateral DBS replicates the effects of bilateral stimulation.ConclusionThe results deepen the understanding of mechanisms and dynamics of DA release following mfb-DBS in a rodent model of depression
The Current System of Human Rights: its Origins and Conceptual Underpinnings
No full textThis chapter examines the origins, conceptual underpinnings, and current structure of the international human rights framework to provide a foundation for interdisciplinary discourse on neuroethics and neurorights. A distinction is made between moral and legal human rights, the role of human dignity as an underlying principle is analysed, and the historic development from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to today’s binding human rights treaties is briefly traced. Central questions addressed include: Who is entitled to claim human rights, and who is bound by them – States only, or also corporations and other non-State actors? What dimensions of obligations (respect, protect, fulfil) do human rights entail? Finally, the meaning of universality is explored: are international human rights absolute or can they be restricted, under certain circumstances; and what is their territorial scope of application? By clarifying these conceptual and doctrinal foundations, the chapter provides an analytical framework that can guide discussions on how human rights apply in the emerging field of neurotechnology
The evolving epidemiology, disease trajectories and etiotypes of COPD
No full textChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This review explores the evolving epidemiology of COPD with a focus on recent trends, disease trajectories, and emerging etiotypes. The key aspects discussed include the impact of smoking, early life events, and genetic predispositions, alongside non-traditional risk factors such as indoor and outdoor air pollution and infections. Additionally, this article highlights the contribution of global initiatives to control COPD risk factors and the potential for personalized approaches in prevention and treatment. By addressing these diverse dimensions, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current knowledge of the complexity and heterogeneity of COPD
Intra-operative and post-operative management of conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting: a clinical consensus statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular Surgery and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Coronary Task Force
No full textThe structural and functional integrity of conduits used for coronary artery bypass grafting is critical for graft patency. Disruption of endothelial integrity and endothelial dysfunction are incurred during conduit harvesting subsequent to mechanical or thermal injury and during conduit storage prior to grafting, leading to acute thrombosis and early graft failure. Late graft failure, in particular that of vein grafts, is precipitated by progressive atherogenesis. Intra-operative management includes appropriate selection of conduit-specific harvesting techniques and storage solutions. Arterial grafts are prone to vasospasm subsequent to surgical manipulation, and application of intra-operative vasodilatory protocols is critical. Post-operative management includes continuation of oral vasodilator therapy and selection of antithrombotic and lipid-lowering agents to attenuate atherosclerotic disease progression in conduits. In this review, the scientific evidence underlying the key aspects of intra- and post-operative management of conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting is examined. Clinical consensus statements for best clinical practice are provided, and areas requiring further research are highlighted
Isolation and characterization of the dimetal decacarbonyl dication [Ru2(CO)10]2+ and the metal-only Lewis-pair [Ag{Ru(CO)5}2]+
No full textThe reaction of Ag+ with Ru3(CO)12 in a CO atmosphere under concommittant irradiation with UV-light yields a salt of the metal-only Lewis-pair [Ag{Ru(CO)5}2]+. Switching the silver cation for a more process-selective deelectronator yields a salt of the homoleptic transition metal carbonyl cation [Ru2(CO)10]2+, which fills the gap between the known cations [Ru(CO)6]2+ and [Ru3(CO)14]2+. The amount of π-backdonation in this series was studied by a combination of vibrational spectroscopy and computed relaxed force constants
Hand gesture recognition using frequency‐modulated continuous wave radar on tactile displays for the visually impaired
No full textTouchscreens are essential parts of many electronics in daily lives of sighted people in the digital information era. On the other hand, visually impaired users rely on tactile displays as one of the key communication devices to interact with the digital world. However, due to their working mechanism and the uneven surface of tactile displays, one of the key features of screens for sighted users is surprisingly challenging to implement: precision touch input. To overcome this, a hand gesture recognition system is developed using a frequency-modulated continuous wave millimeter-wave radar. A multifeature encoder method is used to obtain the range and velocity information from the radar to translate the data into spectrogram images. Gesture recognition is implemented for common input gestures: single/double-click, swipe-right/left, scroll-up/down, zoom-in/out, and rotate-anticlockwise/clockwise. The gesture recognition and classification are based on machine learning, support vector machines, deep learning, and convolutional neural network approaches. The chosen model You-Only-Look-Once (YOLOv8) shows a high accuracy of 97.1% by iterating only 30 epochs with only 500 collected data samples per gesture. This research paves the way toward using radar sensors not only for tactile displays but also for other digital devices in human–computer interaction
Numeric vs. verbal information: the influence of information quantifiability in Human-AI vs. Human-Human decision support
No full textA number of factors, including different task characteristics, influence trust in human vs. AI decision support. In particular, the aspect of information quantifiability could influence trust and dependence, especially considering that human and AI support may have varying strengths in assessing criteria that differ in their quantifiability. To investigate the effect of information quantifiability we conducted an online experiment (N =204) with a 2 (support agent: AI vs. human) *2 (quantifiability: low vs. high) between-subjects design, using a simulated recruitment task. The support agent was manipulated via framing, while quantifiability was manipulated by the evaluation criteria in the recruitment paradigm. The analysis revealed higher trust for human over AI support. Moreover, trust was higher in the low than in the high quantifiability condition. Counterintuitively, participants rated the applicants as less qualified than their support agent’s rating, especially noticeable in the low quantifiability condition. Besides reinforcing earlier findings showing higher trust towards human experts than towards AI and showcasing the importance of information quantifiability, the present study also raises questions concerning the perceived leniency of support agents and its impact on trust and behavior
Temporobasales Meningeom als mögliche Ursache einer Kognitionsstörung bei Depression im höheren Lebensalter
No full textEine 83-jährige, agile und selbstversorgende Patientin (Rechtshänderin) stellte sich zur stationär-psychiatrischen Behandlung bei anhaltender depressiver Symptomatik mit im Vordergrund stehenden kognitiven Defiziten vor. Bis zwei Wochen vor Aufnahme war bereits eine stationäre Behandlung in einer anderen Klinik erfolgt, wobei trotz medikamentöser Kombinationsbehandlung mittels Clompiramin und Lithium nur eine Teilremission der depressiven Symptomatik erreicht werden konnte. Eine rezidivierende depressive Störung bestand seit den 1970er-Jahren, welche mehrere stationäre Vorbehandlungen und diverse medikamentöse Therapieversuche notwendig gemacht hatte. Die Einweisungsdiagnose der ambulanten psychiatrischen Behandlerin lautete: schwere depressive Episode bei rezidivierender Störung mit Pseudodemenz
Comparative analysis of cell morphology in patient-paired primary human osteoblasts from the jaw and the fibula
No full textPrevious studies hint at possible differences in osteogenic, osteoimmunologic, and angiogenetic potential among primary human osteoblasts (HOBs) from different origins (iliac and alveolar bone) within the same patient. In this study, HOBs from the jaw and the fibula were investigated for the first time to gain further knowledge about the similarities and differences on the cellular morphological level.Patient-paired HOB cultures from the jaw and fibula of 14 patients (60.3 ± 11.1 years; male: 9; female: 5) were isolated and further processed. Cells were stained with Calcein and Hoechst 33342, and single-cell morphometric shape analysis was performed. For each osteoblast, the shape descriptors area, length, width, aspect ratio, circularity, roundness, and solidity were determined. A site-specific and a gender-specific comparison were conducted.None of the shape descriptors showed any significant differences between HOBs derived from the jaw and the fibula. The same applied to the gender-specific comparison between osteoblasts from female and male patients. Significant correlations between shape descriptors were found.HOBs from both bones possess a comparable cell shape, which might positively influence the ossification between the recipient and the donor bone. Since cell morphology often reflects cell function, both bones might exhibit comparable osteoblast behavior, adding to the favorable outcomes observed with free fibula flaps in reconstructive surgery