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Two 100 TeV neutrinos coincident with the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 7469
No full textIn 2013, the IceCube collaboration announced the detection of a diffuse high-energy astrophysical neutrino flux. The origin of this flux is still largely unknown. The most significant individual source is the close-by Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 at the 4.2σ level with a soft spectral index. To identify sources based on their counterpart, IceCube releases real-time alerts corresponding to neutrinos with a high probability of astrophysical origin. We report here the spatial coincidence of two neutrino alerts, IC 220424A and IC 230416A, with the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469 at a distance of 70 Mpc. We evaluate, a posteriori, the chance probability of such a coincidence and discuss this source as a potential neutrino emitter based on its multiwavelength properties and in comparison to NGC 1068 by performing a goodness-of-fit test. A test statistic is derived from a likelihood ratio that includes the neutrino angular uncertainty and the source distance. We apply this test first to a catalog of active galactic nucleus sources and second to a catalog of Seyfert galaxies only. Our a posteriori evaluation excludes the possibility of an accidental spatial coincidence of both neutrinos with the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469 at the 3.2σ level, leaving open the possibility that either one or both neutrinos originated from the source. To be compatible with nondetections of TeV neutrinos, the source would need to have a hard spectral index
Comparing the effectiveness of different vaccines in individuals with and without autoimmune diseases
No full text This article presents the study protocol of a retrospective cohort study designed to compare the effectiveness of herpes zoster, and influenza vaccines in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), or chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD) to individuals without these diseases, using claims data of one of the largest population based health insurances in Germany.
Individuals with autoimmune diseases such as MS, IBD, and CIRD are more susceptible to vaccine preventable infectious diseases such as influenza and herpes zoster, due to the autoimmune disease itself, the presence of comorbidities and immunosuppressive therapies. Vaccines are the primary means to prevent such diseases. The efficacy of these vaccines is usually estimated using large randomized controlled trials, from which patients with MS, IBD, and CIRD are often excluded. It is therefore unclear whether these vaccines are also effective for these patients.
A target trial emulation based on observational claims data of a statutory health insurance company is proposed.
This study will aim to emulate multiple target trials to compare the effectiveness of herpes zoster and influenza vaccines in patients with and without MS, IBD and CIRD using data from a large German statutory health insurance provider (BARMER). The primary outcome for each vaccine effectiveness analysis is the disease itself. The analysis will be carried out using both time-dependent matching and a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model in conjunction with g-computation. Additionally, the moderating effect of immunosuppressive therapies on the vaccine effectiveness will be estimated using a stratified secondary analysis.
This study will estimate and compare the effectiveness of influenza and herpes zoster vaccines in individuals with and without MS, IBD, and CIRD. Because of the large amount of data, this study will also be able to investigate the role of the immunosuppressive medication on vaccine effectiveness, which may provide guidance for vaccine administration guidelines
Acute suicidal affective disturbance inventory lifetime (ASADI-L)
No full textA syndrome called Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance (ASAD) has recently been proposed as a suicide specific diagnosis (1). The syndrome is characterized by a drastic increase in suicidal intent, social and self-alienation, as well as overarousal. A 28-item self-report measure, the Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance Inventory Lifetime (ASADI-L), has been developed to assess the lifetime occurrence of ASAD symptoms. This study aims to validate a German version of the ASADI-L and to replicate the unidimensional factor structure of the original version. The psychometric properties of the German version of the ASADI-L were examined in a non-clinical online sample of n = 300 participants, n = 837 outpatients from a mental health research and treatment center and n = 148 outpatients from a treatment study on individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
A substantial proportion of all participants, including 23 % in 1, 13.26 % in 2, and 86.49 % in 3, reported having ever experienced a drastic increase in suicide intent during their lifetime. In addition, 20 % reported every single ASAD item on the ASAD-IL. Confirmatory factor analysis showed an adequate model fit for the unidimensional model, with good internal consistency. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations with measures of suicide-related constructs as well as symptoms of self-hatred and feelings of disgust as assessed in the Borderline Symptom List-23 (BSL-23).
Future research should focus on ASAD in longitudinal studies to deepen the understanding of the syndrome and to examine the predictive power of this suicide-specific diagnosis
Considerations on sensor fusion of multiple ultrawideband radar sensors operating in non-sdjacent frequency bands
No full textThis paper presents a novel sensor fusion approach to enhance radar measurement bandwidth and range resolution by integrating data from non-adjacent frequency bands. While ultrawideband (UWB) radar systems offer high resolution, they are often constrained by regulatory limitations and hardware bandwidth restrictions. To overcome these challenges, we investigate on merging intermediate frequency signals from multiple frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar sensors operating in separate bands. Though this effectively broadens the usable bandwidth, challenges arise from uncovered spectral regions in between the sensor bands. A frequency domain model is employed to address these systematic challenges in multi-band fusion and to quantify side-lobe-levels and pulse-widths. Furthermore, we discuss the establishment of a common phase reference by means of calibration. The investigations are validated through simulations and experimental measurements using W-band (68–93 GHz), D-band (122–170 GHz), and J-band (205–248 GHz) FMCW sensors. Finally, it is shown that model-based interpolation between the bands significantly removes undesired distortions. Results demonstrate a significant enhancement in range resolution, particularly benefiting applications such as non-destructive testing and high-precision material characterization. In these applications, the approach provides a viable alternative to photonic and optical measurement techniques, leveraging the advantages of compact, MMIC-based radar sensors while overcoming inherent bandwidth limitations
Successful revascularization and coil embolization of a massive SVG aneurysm with inferior vena cava compression
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We report a 71-year-old man with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting who presented with exertional angina. Imaging revealed a massive saphenous vein graft aneurysm (SVGA) compressing the inferior vena cava and an occluded right coronary artery. Given the high surgical risk, a percutaneous approach was chosen, including recanalization of the right coronary artery using drug-eluting stents and coil embolization of the SVGA. The intervention was successful, with complete aneurysm occlusion and recovery of adjacent structures.
SVGA is a rare but serious coronary artery bypass graft complication, often linked to atherosclerosis. Treatment options include surgical, percutaneous, or conservative approaches, depending on patient risk. This case highlights the utility of percutaneous management, which is associated with lower mortality rates in high-risk patients.
Percutaneous management of SVGAs can be safe and effective in high-risk patients, emphasizing the importance of experienced interventional teams in complex cases
High-confidence glycosomal membrane protein inventory unveils trypanosomal peroxin PEX15
No full textTrypanosomatid parasite infections cause Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis, affecting over 12 million people worldwide. Glycosomes, the peroxisome-related organelles of trypanosomes, are essential for survival, making their metabolic functions and biogenesis mediated by peroxins (PEXs) suitable drug targets. We report a comprehensive protein inventory of glycosomal membranes, defined through advanced subcellular membrane protein profiling combined with quantitative mass spectrometry and including 28 high-confidence glycosomal membrane proteins. We validate four previously unknown glycosomal membrane proteins, including a tail-anchored protein, which we show to be the long-sought PEX15. Despite low sequence similarity, PEX15 exhibits structural and topological similarities with its yeast and human counterparts, and it is essential for glycosome biogenesis and parasite survival. Considering the low degree of conservation with its human counterpart, PEX15 is a promising target for drug development. This inventory is an important resource for characterizing glycosome biology and therapeutic development
Diabetes mellitus aggravates myocardial inflammation and oxidative stress in aortic stenosis
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Patients diagnosed with both aortic stenosis (AS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) encounter a distinctive set of challenges due to the interplay between these two conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DM on the left ventricle in AS patients, specifically focusing on the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and their implications for cardiomyocyte function, titin phosphorylation, and the nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathway.
Left ventricular myocardial biopsies (in total: = 28) were obtained from patients with diabetic AS ( = 11) and compared with those from non-diabetic AS patients ( = 17). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated significantly elevated levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) and calprotectin, as well as receptors associated with the inflammatory response, such as Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), 4 (TLR4), and receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE). These were correlated with an enhanced NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the release of interleukins (IL) 1, 6, and 18 in diabetic AS patients compared to their non-diabetic counterparts. Additionally, in the diabetic AS cohort, there was an increase in oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxide (HO), 3-nitrotyrosine, lipid peroxidation (LPO), oxidative glutathione (GSSG)/reduced glutathione (GSH) ratio) within the myocardium and mitochondria, accompanied by impaired NO-sGC-cGMP-PKG signaling, decreased titin phosphorylation, and increased passive stiffness (F) of cardiomyocytes relative to non-diabetic AS patients. In vitro anti-inflammatory treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor and antioxidant treatment with GSH effectively normalized the elevated F observed in AS patients with DM to levels comparable to the non-diabetic group. Furthermore, treatment with PKG and the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin also resulted in a reduction of F in cardiomyocytes from diabetic AS patients, although not to the levels observed in non-diabetic AS patients.
DM exacerbates inflammation and oxidative stress in AS patients, leading to impaired NO-sGC-cGMP-PKG signaling and increased cardiomyocyte F. These conditions are reminiscent of the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). These alterations can be ameliorated through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapies, indicating potential therapeutic strategies for diabetic patients suffering from AS
Models and explanations of different human-AI collaboration modes
No full textDiese Dissertation untersucht, wie die zunehmende Leistungsfähigkeit von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) Entscheidungsprozesse und Zusammenarbeit in Organisationen verändert. Sie zeigt, dass KI nicht nur als Unterstützungssystem wirkt, sondern Informationsverarbeitung, Verifikation und Delegation aktiv mitgestaltet und damit Autoritäts- und Vertrauensdynamiken neu ordnet. In sechs Studien werden zentrale Aspekte der KI-Adoption analysiert: Vertrauen in KI, Reife und Einsatz in B2B-Vertriebskontexten, Ko-Kreation mit generativer KI, Aushandlung von Autorität in KI-gestützten Entscheidungen, Bias durch emotionale Eingaben sowie KI-gestützte Analyse von Managementkommunikation. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass KI-Integration ein iterativer, wechselseitiger Anpassungsprozess ist, in dem Fachkräfte menschliche Expertise und Automatisierung kontinuierlich ausbalancieren. Die Arbeit trägt zu Forschung zu KI-Adoption, organisationalem Wandel und verantwortungsvoller Technologiegestaltung bei
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on comorbid depression, anxiety and eating disorders in adolescent psychiatric inpatients
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Many studies have aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. However, less research has focused on the changes in symptom clusters of comorbid disorders. To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic it is necessary to evaluate the relationships between symptoms of comorbid disorders. This was the first study to compare comorbidity networks of depression, anxiety and eating disorder (ED) symptoms to investigate the overall connectivity of symptoms before and during the onset of the pandemic.
Self-report questionnaire data from 1361 adolescent psychiatric inpatients (M = 15.32, = 1.47) were used for this study. A network analysis was conducted including 52 questionnaire items of depression, anxiety and eating disorder to identify and compare core symptoms and bridge symptoms in a pre and a peri pandemic sample.
A significantly higher network density and overall connectivity were found in the peri pandemic sample. Links between feelings of failure in the depression cluster and worry what other people think in the anxiety cluster as well as between difficulties getting rid of bad/ silly thoughts in the anxiety cluster and suicidal thoughts in the depression cluster emerged as the strongest pathways in both networks. Body image disturbance emerged as the strongest bridge symptom for eating disorders in both networks. There were no significant differences in the most prominent core and bridge symptoms between the networks, indicating a high stability of core symptoms and pathways across circumstances.
Our findings suggest a multidimensional relationship between symptoms of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The persistence of symptom pathways after the onset of the pandemic implies that these pathways may be responsible for the occurrence of comorbidity and should be primary targets of psychotherapy for affected patients. Addressing core and bridge symptoms in the therapy of comorbid disorders should be a priority and may be more effective than conventional treatment strategies
Refugee and immigrant-background parents’ academic engagement, resources, and children’s adjustment in German lower-income elementary schools
No full text Refugee and recently immigrated (RRI) families in Germany often reside in lower-income, multiethnic neighborhoods alongside many other immigrant-background families. Their children are likely to face barriers to their academic development. Yet, research on how these parents’ academic engagement and resources influence their children’s school adjustment remains scarce. We explored (a) the relations of parents’ academic engagement, resources, and their children’s school adjustment, and (b) the exact forms of parents’ academic engagement and resources, facilitators, and barriers to it.
We conducted structured telephone-based interviews including closed- and open-format questions with Arabic-speaking refugee (), recently immigrated, immigrant-background, and non-immigrant parents in German lower-income neighborhoods ( = 108). Measures assessed relations between parents’ home and school engagement, parent- and school-related resources (formal education, mental health, German language skills, social support, educational aspirations, knowledge of the German education system, parent-teacher relationship, sense of well-being at school), and children’s elementary school adjustment (socio-emotional adjustment, grades, well-being at school).
Multiple regression analyses revealed that German language skills and participation in local social support groups were related to their home and school engagement. Parents’ academic engagement was not related to children’s school adjustment. RRI parents reported lower levels of resources than immigrant-background and non-immigrant parents, with refugee parents reporting the lowest levels of resources. Descriptive analyses of the open-format questions and single-scale items revealed group differences in parents’ school engagement, home engagement, and resources (e.g., perceived responsibilities, communication with school and other parents). Regarding other dimensions, RRI, immigrant-background, and non-immigrant parents reported similar levels of resources. Additionally, we found indicators of RRI parents’ high academic expectations and willingness to support their children academically.
Our findings suggest the importance of increasing RRI and immigrant-background parents’ availability of resources to facilitate their academic engagement. Our findings suggest that their children may adjust to school independently of parents’ academic engagement as measured. Future research should examine the contribution of unmeasured (e.g., better culturally adapted) academic engagement forms as well as which school- and community-level factors may compensate for limited parental resources