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Clinical and demographic associations of recorded feigning in functional neurological disorder
No full textAlthough functional neurological disorder (FND) is common, increasingly recognized, potentially disabling, and treatable, it remains stigmatized, and concerns about feigning persist among clinicians. We examined the prevalence of malingering and factitious disorder diagnoses in individuals with FND, their associated demographic and clinical characteristics, and evidence of clinician bias in the diagnosis of feigning. In this retrospective cohort and case-control study using the international TriNetX electronic health record network, we analysed diagnostic codes (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) for FND, malingering and factitious disorder to assess their prevalence and overlap. We then compared rates of malingering and factitious disorder following a diagnosis of FND with those in cohorts of patients with multiple sclerosis and with depression, used as comparison conditions. We also examined demographic characteristics and comorbidities of FND cases with and without records of feigning, as well as temporal trends in the proportion diagnosed with malingering. Between 2015 and 2024, 143 471 individuals were diagnosed with FND, 54 685 with malingering and 5215 with factitious disorder. 2.2% of individuals with FND also received a record of malingering or, less commonly, factitious disorder, or both. Following diagnosis, FND was associated with higher rates of malingering (1.36%) and factitious disorder (0.62%) compared to multiple sclerosis (0.17%, odds ratio 7.97, 95% confidence interval 7.17-8.87and 0.03%, odds ratio 20.47, 95% confidence interval 16.15-25.94, respectively) and depression (0.42%, odds ratio 3.23, 95% confidence interval 3.08-3.39and 0.05%, odds ratio 12.17, 95% confidence interval 11.18-13.31, respectively). Among FND cases, factitious disorder was more prevalent in White individuals, whereas malingering was more frequent in males, Black individuals and seizure presentations. Compared to other FND cases, those with diagnoses of malingering or factitious disorder had more psychiatric, neurological, and medical comorbidities, greater socio-economic adversity and increased mortality. Records of malingering were more likely in FND cases with histories of other stigmatized disorders, such as sexually transmitted diseases, viral hepatitis and HIV. Their proportion declined from 2018 to 2023. Malingering and factitious disorder are more frequently diagnosed in FND than in comparable disorders, although both remain uncommon. Their presence is associated with greater clinical complexity and poorer outcomes. Associations with ethnicity, socio-economic adversity and certain comorbidities suggest possible clinician bias, while declining malingering diagnoses in FND may reflect growing awareness among clinicians
Collaborative online dictionary as a didactic tool for teaching Polish as a second/foreign language
No full textNeologizmi oz. novotvorjenke so najbolj živo tkivo vsakega jezika. S pomočjo najrazličnejših besedotvornih postopkov (izpeljava, sestavljanje, zlaganje, sklapljanje, krnjenje) vsakodnevno nastajajo nove besede, ki poleg poimenovanja stvari in pojavov odražajo določene družbene premike ter kulturne in etične spremembe. Tovrstno besedje navadno beležijo t. i. kolaborativni oz. participatorni spletni slovarji, kar pomeni, da gesla predlagajo uporabniki posameznega jezika, ovrednotijo in objavijo pa jih uredniki slovarja. Analiza strukture in vsebine spletnega slovarja poljskih neologizmov, ki ga sestavljajo na Jezikovnem observatoriju Univerze v Varšavi, kaže, da tovrstna zbirka besedja lahko služi kot dragoceno in vsebinsko bogato didaktično orodje za poučevanje poljščine kot tujega jezika. Značilnost Slovarja poljskih neologizmov so namreč izjemno izčrpna gesla, ki poleg razlage posameznega leksema vsebujejo še številne druge podatke o njegovem nastanku, frekvenci rabe, zaznamovanosti, variantah itn. Zahvaljujoč takšni strukturi se slovar poleg svoje primarne, pojasnjevalne vloge kaže tudi kot edinstven vir za raziskave in proučevanje besedotvornih postopkov, na podlagi katerih novo besedišče nastaja.Neologisms are the lifeblood of any language, and new words are created daily through various word-formation processes that not only name things and phenomena, but also reflect social, cultural, and ethical changes. These words are typically recorded in collaborative or participatory online dictionaries, where users suggest entries that are then evaluated and published by editors. An analysis of the Polish Neologism Dictionary, compiled by the Language Observatory at the University of Warsaw, shows that such a vocabulary collection can serve as a valuable and content-rich tool for teaching Polish as a foreign language. A notable feature of this dictionary is its detailed entries, which, in addition to definitions, include extensive information on the words’ origins, frequency of use, and variants. This structure, beyond its explanatory function, also makes the dictionary a unique resource for researching and studying the word-formation processes of new Polish vocabulary
Fejsoholic, instagramiara and januszex, or about the knowledge of eponyms among people learning Polish as a foreign language
No full textČlanek obravnava vlogo onomastike pri poučevanju poljščine kot tujega jezika. Lastna imena tvorijo pomemben del poljske leksike, preko kulturno zaznamovanih lastnih imen pa lahko učenci tudi pobliže spoznajo poljsko kulturo, stvarnost in družbenopolitične razmere. Raziskovalci in lektorji se zavedajo pomena lastnih imen v jezikovnodidaktičnem izobraževanju. Tujci, ki želijo poljščino obvladati na podobni ravni kot materni govorci in biti dobro seznanjeni s poljskimi družbenopolitičnimi razmerami in kulturo, bi morali poznati imena in izraze, ki se uporabljajo za opisovanje sodobnih družbenih pojavov in izražanje z njimi povezanih čustev. Še vedno pa primanjkuje gradiv, posvečenih kulturno zaznamovanim poimenovanjem, metaforičnosti in konotacijam imen ter izlastnoimenskim občnim imenom v spletnem okolju. Vzrok morda tiči v tem, da avtorji v učbenike ne želijo vključevati lastnih imen, ki so tesno povezana z izbrano osebo ali dogodkom, saj lahko hitro zastarajo. Opravljene raziskave kažejo, da se poznavanje izlastnoimenskih občnih imen ter metaforičnosti in konotacij lastnih imen med učečimi se poljščine kot tujega jezika izboljšuje, vendar je treba njihovo znanje dopolniti in sistematizirati.The article discusses the role of onomastics in teaching Polish to foreigners. Onyms constitute an important element of the lexical resource of the Polish language, and cultural onyms additionally allow learners to better understand Polish culture, realities and the socio-political situation. Researchers and teachers recognise the need to include proper names in glottodidactic education. Foreigners who want to use Polish at a level similar to that of native speakers and want to be well versed in the socio-political situation and culture should know the names and terms that are used to describe contemporary social phenomena and allow them to express emotions related to them. However, there is still a lack of materials devoted to cultural names, metaphors and the connotations of names and eponyms. This may be due to the fact that textbook authors do not want to include proper names in their publications that are closely related to a selected person or event, and thus may quickly become outdated. The conducted research shows that learners of Polish as a foreign language have an increasingly better knowledge of eponyms, metaphors and the connotations of proper names, but their knowledge of these subjects still needs to be supplemented and systematised
Effect of the auricular vagal nerve transcutaneous electrical stimulation parameters on the heart rate variability in healthy volunteers
No full textVariabilnost srčne frekvence (HRV) je ključni biološki označevalec avtonomne funkcije in je povezana z morbiditeto ter smrtnostjo pri različnih obolenjih. Transkutana aurikularna stimulacija vagusnega živca (taVNS) je obetavna neinvazivna terapevtska metoda, vendar njen vpliv na HRV in vloga specifičnih parametrov stimulacije še vedno nista razjasnjena. V raziskavi smo proučili, ali so akutni učinki taVNS na HRV, pri zdravih odraslih posameznikih, odvisni od kombinacije frekvence stimulacije in dolžine pulza.
Hipoteza
Z daljšanjem električnega pulza od 100 µs do 500 µs in večanjem frekvence pulza od 10 Hz do 25 Hz se povečuje modulatorna aktivnost parasimpatika.
Metode
V raziskavi je sodelovalo 78 zdravih odraslih preiskovancev, ki so opravili sedem stimulacijskih sej. Vsakič so bili naključno izpostavljeni enemu od šestih taVNS protokolov ali sham kontroli na cymba concha levega uhlja. Aktivni protokoli so vključevali različne kombinacije frekvence (10 Hz ali 25 Hz) in dolžine pulza (100 µs, 250 µs ali 500 µs). Vsaka seja je obsegala 15 minut izhodiščnega mirovanja, 15 minut aktivne ali sham stimulacije ter 10 minut okrevanja. HRV smo izračunali na podlagi standardnega odklona NN intervalov (SDNN), ter kvadratnega korena povprečja kvadriranih razlik med zaporednimi intervali (RMSSD).
Rezultati
Primarna analiza je pokazala, da so protokoli s kombinacijami 10 Hz/250 µs, 10 Hz/500 µs in 25 Hz/100 µs povzročili značilno povečanje SDNN v primerjavi s sham. Eksploratorna analiza je pokazala, da se je SDNN med protokolom 10 Hz/500 µs povečal v drugem petminutnem segmentu stimulacije, med protokoli 10 Hz/250 µs in 25 Hz/100 µs pa v prvem petminutnem segmentu obdobja okrevanja. Za RMSSD nismo zaznali značilnih sprememb pri nobenem protokolu. Sekundarna analiza je pokazala, da lahko taVNS potencialno vpliva na SDNN posredno prek sprememb srčne periode.
Zaključki
TaVNS je varna za uporabo pri zdravih odraslih ljudeh, določene kombinacije frekvence in dolžine pulza lahko akutno in selektivno povečajo celokupno HRV (SDNN), ne da bi hkrati vplivale na vagalno posredovano HRV (RMSSD). Učinek taVNS na SDNN je delno posredovan preko učinka na srčno frekvenco. Za optimizacijo parametrov taVNS za dosego maksimalnih fizioloških in kliničnih učinkov so potrebne nadaljnje raziskave.Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key biomarker of autonomic function, linked to morbidity and mortality across various diseases. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a promising therapeutic method, but its effects on HRV and the influence of specific stimulation parameters remain unclear. This study investigated whether the acute effects of taVNS on HRV depend on combinations of stimulation frequency and pulse width.
Hypothesis
Increasing the pulse duration from 100 µs to 500 µs and the stimulation frequency from 10 Hz to 25 Hz will enhance parasympathetic modulatory activity.
Methods
Seventy-eight healthy adults participated in seven randomized sessions, each testing one of six active taVNS protocols or an inactive sham condition applied to the cymba conchae of the left ear. Active protocols varied by frequency (10 Hz or 25 Hz) and pulse width (100 μs, 250 μs, or 500 μs). Sessions included 15 minutes of baseline, 15 minutes of taVNS or sham condition, and 10 minutes of recovery. HRV was calculated using the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) from continuous ECG recordings.
Results
Primary analysis revealed that the 10 Hz/250 μs, 10 Hz/500 μs, and 25 Hz/100 μs protocols significantly increased SDNN time series compared to the sham condition. Exploratory analysis revealed SDNN increases during the second 5 minutes of stimulation with the 10 Hz/500 μs protocol and during the first 5 minutes of recovery with the 10 Hz/250 μs and 25 Hz/100 μs protocols. No significant changes in RMSSD were found for any protocol. Secondary analysis revealed that taVNS can potentially influence SDNN indirectly via change of heart period.
Conclusion
TaVNS is safe in healthy adults, and specific frequency and pulse width combinations can acutely and selectively enhance overall HRV, as reflected in SDNN, but do not affect vagally mediated HRV, as reflected by RMSSD. The effects of taVNS on SDNN are partly mediated through heart rate. To optimize taVNS parameters for maximal physiological and clinical outcomes, further studies are needed
Huiqin Wang
No full textThis study presents a hermeneutic analysis of four major picturebooks by Slovenian-Chinese artist-scholar Huiqin Wang. It positions her authorial trilogy (Ferdinand Avguštin Hallerstein, Giuseppe Castiglione, and I, Marco Polo) as a cohesive model of "individualised universality" for narrating historical East-West encounters, while examining the collaborative Little Alma on a Great Journey as a distinct expansion into psychological interiority. Drawing on frameworks from picturebook theory (Nikolajeva & Scott, 2006), chronotopic analysis (Bakhtin, 1981), and cultural memory studies (Juvan, 2008), this study argues that Wang\u27s multilingual, multigenre works constitute sophisticated artistic research functioning as polysemic instruments of cultural translation. Her work "worlds" Slovenian historical figures within the global imagination by mapping the spatial, temporal, and emotional coordinates of cross-cultural subjects. Wang\u27s tetralogy represents a significant contribution to visual narratology and Slovenia\u27s literary heritage
Reading habits of university students in Slovenia
No full textThe article explores the reading habits of Slovenian university students in teacher education and library science programs, comparing data from two cohorts (2017/18 versus 2024/25). Despite being future educa-tors, around 16% of these students reported not having read a single book in the past year. While a slight increase in reading frequency and English-language reading was observed over the seven-year period, the shift toward less demanding genre fiction raises concerns. Students now predominantly read lighter, popular titles, with significantly fewer individuals engaging in complex literary texts. This shift has cognitive implications: studies indicate that the reading of complex literature enhances abstract thinking and attributional complexity, which are traits of high importance for educators. The rise in English-language reading – though intellectually beneficial – may also reduce exposure to syntactically complex Slovenian texts, potentially weakening native language competence. The findings suggest a troubling disconnection between the reading behaviours expected of educators and their actual practices. As reading complexity strongly correlates with critical thinking, the lack of engagement with demanding texts may hinder the cognitive development of students and their future pedagogical effectiveness. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for higher academic standards and stronger encouragement of deep reading within teacher education programs
Epidural metalloma 12 years after spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
No full textIntroduction The occurrence of metallosis after spine surgery is a rare phenomenon. The accumulation and deposition of metallic nanoparticles, especially cobalt and chromium, elicit a local inflammatory response by modulating the expression of cytokines, ultimately manifesting as a pseudotumor. This process is considered an aseptic lymphocyte-dominated vasculitis-associated lesion or adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR).
Methods We present a case of metalloma that developed 12 years after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Results After a piecemeal decompression of the pseudocyst, additional internal fixation instrumentation, and a pseudarthrosis revision with bone transplantation, the patient regained all prior flexibility and remained pain free.
Conclusion We speculate that the proposed mechanism of instrumentation failure in our patient was over-aggressive postoperative exercise with pseudoarthrosis and metal-on-metal corrosion, leading to ALTR in the spinal canal
Minimalist design of invitations and their effectiveness in communication
No full textMinimalistično oblikovanje je grafični pristop, ki s poudarkom na preprostosti, čisti tipografiji, omejeni uporabi barv in premišljeni uporabi praznega prostora omogoča učinkovito komunikacijo sporočil. Minimalizem se pogosto uporablja pri oblikovanju vabil, kjer je cilj jasno in hitro posredovati informacije brez nepotrebnih vizualnih elementov. Vendar pa se pojavlja vprašanje, ali ta preprostost oblikovanja vpliva na zaznavanje in razumevanje informacij pri prejemnikih vabil.
V diplomskem delu je bilo raziskano, kako minimalistično oblikovanje vabil vpliva na njihovo učinkovitost pri komuniciranju. Raziskava je temeljila na primerjavi med minimalistično zasnovo in bolj okrašenimi, tradicionalnimi vabili. Oblikovanih je bilo več vzorcev vabil, ki so bili analizirani s pomočjo anketne raziskave. Vprašalnik je vključeval demografska vprašanja, sklope o zaznavanju vabil, dojemanju minimalističnega oblikovanja, oceno učinkovitosti informacij in preference prejemnikov.
Analiza rezultatov je pokazala, da večina anketirancev minimalistično oblikovana vabila dojema kot pregledna, estetsko privlačna in sodobna. Najpomembnejši elementi, ki prispevajo k temu vtisu, so čista tipografija, omejena barvna paleta in premišljena uporaba praznega prostora. Ugotovljeno je bilo, da minimalistična zasnova omogoča hitro zaznavanje ključnih informacij, obenem pa večina anketirancev meni, da takšna vabila vsebujejo dovolj informacij o dogodku. Kljub temu je bil izražen tudi kriticizem, da lahko minimalizem v določenih primerih deluje preveč hladno in brezosebno, saj sodobni uporabniki pogosto pričakujejo več emocionalne note in osebnosti.
Tako lahko povzamemo, da minimalistični slog uspešno združuje estetsko vrednost in funkcionalnost, vendar pa prihodnji trendi v oblikovanju nakazujejo večjo vlogo bogatejših vizualnih rešitev, vključevanja barv, ilustracij in digitalnih medijev. Fizična vabila bodo najverjetneje ohranjena le ob posebnih priložnostih, medtem ko se bo večina vabil oblikovala in posredovala digitalno, in sicer preko različnih spletnih platform in aplikacij.Minimalist design is a graphic approach that emphasises simplicity, clean typography, limited use of color and deliberate use of white space, enabling effective communication of messages. It is often applied in the design of invitations, where the aim is to convey information clearly and quickly, without unnecessary visual elements. However, the question arises whether this simplicity in design affects the perception and understanding of information among recipients.
In this thesis, the influence and effectiveness of minimalist invitation design in communication were examined. The research was based on a comparison between minimalist design and more decorated, traditional invitations. Several invitation samples were created and analyzed through a survey. The questionnaire included demographic questions as well as sections on the perception of invitations, understanding of minimalist design, evaluation of the effectiveness of information, and recipients\u27 preferences. A quantitative methodology was applied, and the data were analyzed using basic statistical methods.
The results showed that most respondents perceived minimalist invitations as clear, aesthetically appealing, and modern. The most important elements contributing to this impression were clean typography, a limited color palette, and the deliberate use of white space. It was found that minimalist design allowed for quick recognition of key information, while most respondents believed that such invitations also contained sufficient information about the event. Nevertheless, some critical perspectives were expressed, suggesting that minimalism in certain cases appeared too cold and impersonal, as contemporary users often expected a more emotional tone and personality.
In conclusion, minimalist invitation design successfully combines aesthetic value and functionality. However, future design trends indicate a greater role for richer visual solutions, including the use of colors, illustrations, and digital media. Printed invitations are expected to remain only for special occasions, while most invitations will be created and distributed digitally through various online platforms and applications
Novel photon detectors
No full textThe paper reviews recent progress in photodetectors, discussing vacuum-based detectors, semiconductor sensors, and gas-based detectors. The emphasis in this review is on the detection of low light levels, enhanced timing resolution, and spectral range of photon detectors, as well as the development of photosensors for extreme conditions, for operation in cryogenic and high radiation-level environments
Enhancement of muscle activation during squat exercise
No full textWe evaluated whether vibration augmented muscle use during squat exercise with magnetic resonance imaging, with two methods: spin–spin relaxation time (T2 mapping), and volume analysis.
Male participants (n = 13) visited the facility on two occasions. During the first visit, each participant completed a resistance exercise (RE) comprising four sets of 12 repetitions of triple extension squats. Before and immediately after completion of the exercise, magnetic resonance imaging of their thigh and calf muscles was performed. During the second visit, participants performed resistance vibration exercise (RVE) using the same protocol, but standing on a vibration plate that provided a whole-body vibration stimulus (20 Hz, 3.5 mm amplitude) during the exercise.
RE promoted increased T2 in vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius muscles (p < 0.0001). The same activation was observed for RVE, with no differences compared to RE. The volumetric method was less effective in assessing muscle activation. Only the vastus medialis and vastus intermedius muscle volumes were significantly greater post-exercise compared to pre-exercise for both RE (both muscles: p = 0.0009) and RVE (respectively: p = 0.005 and p = 0.009). No muscular activation was detected for calf either with T2 or volumetric method.
Resistance exercise increased T2 and volume of some muscles of the thigh. The addition of whole-body vibration to resistance exercise does not enhance T2 relaxation time or volume accumulation