Individual Advantages Research Articles

In Vivo Imaging Techniques for the Human Scalp: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Scalp inflammation and alopecia are distressing conditions for which patients regularly present to dermatology. Although some diagnoses can be made clinically, others require biopsy, which carries the risk of pain, infection, bleeding, and scarring. This review examines the existing literature regarding noninvasive in vivo imaging techniques and their evidence and utility in evaluating scalp pathology, with a focus on the diagnostics of hair conditions. A systematic literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines without timeframe restrictions. The PubMed and Clarivate (Web of Science) databases were searched using the terms ("imaging" OR "in-vivo imaging" OR "non-invasive imaging" OR "non-invasive in vivo imaging" "imaging," "in-vivo imaging) AND ("human scalp disorders" OR "scalp" OR "hair loss" OR "alopecia"). Peer-reviewed randomized control trials (RCTs), prospective studies, retrospective studies, and case series or reports discussing in vivo imaging of the scalp published before 2022 were selected. Forty-two studies were included and discussed; modalities included laser devices (n = 27), ultrasound (US) (n = 13), infrared thermography (n = 1), skin capacitance imaging (SCI), and ultraviolet light-enhanced visualization (ULEV) (n = 1). The most common laser devices used were reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), multiphoton microscopy (MPM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). US techniques included high-frequency US (HFUS) and US biomicroscopy (UBM). Quality imaging of the scalp in the setting of alopecic, neoplastic, and inflammatory diseases is highly sought after. Many of these noninvasive imaging techniques show promise, each with individual advantages and disadvantages in imaging-specific conditions. Ultimately, noninvasive imaging techniques may be used to optimize patient management and minimize morbidity associated with scalp biopsies.

Construction of Protein Sequence Databases for Metaproteomics: A Review of the Current Tools and Databases.

In metaproteomics studies, constructing a reference protein sequence database that is both comprehensive and not overly large is critical for the peptide identification step. Therefore, the availability of well-curated reference databases and tools for custom database construction is essential to enhance the performance of metaproteomics analyses. In this review, we first provide an overview of metaproteomics by presenting a concise historical background, outlining a typical experimental and bioinformatics workflow, emphasizing the crucial step of constructing a protein sequence database for metaproteomics. We then delve into the current tools available for building such databases, highlighting their individual approaches, utility, and advantages and limitations. Next, we examine existing protein sequence databases, detailing their scope and relevance in metaproteomics research. Then, we provide practical recommendations for constructing protein sequence databases for metaproteomics, along with an overview of the current challenges in this area. We conclude with a discussion of anticipated advancements, emerging trends, and future directions in the construction of protein sequence databases for metaproteomics.

Determinants of the Unconditional Basic Income Acceptance Among German Citizens: An Empirical Analysis Based on Innovation Resistance Theory

ABSTRACTConsidering the uncertainty that accompanies political reforms, this study examines the determinants of universal basic income (UBI) acceptance among a representative sample of 593 German citizens using innovation resistance theory. The study aimed to determine whether passive innovation resistance (PIR) negatively influences UBI acceptance and to investigate how active evaluation of pro‐ and con‐arguments, potentially leading to active innovation resistance (AIR), affects this relationship. The results indicate that both PIR and AIR reduce UBI acceptance. Social influence and individual advantages appear to be the primary drivers of UBI support, while counter‐arguments have a relatively minor impact. AIR is mainly influenced by individual economic effects, universality and social justice, whereas unconditionality has a negligible effect. The study also reveals moderation effects of age and political orientation (liberal vs. conservative) and provides practical insights along with suggestions for future research.

CORRECTION OF THE SIGNS OF MYOFASCIAL DYSFUNCTION IN PERSONS WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF FRACTURE OF THE JAW BY MEASURES OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Purpose: to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed physical therapy program based on the dynamics of myofascial dysfunction parameters of the neck and orofacial area in patients with the consequences of a mandibular fracture. Methods. 77 people were examined. The control group consisted of 32 people without the consequences of injuries of the maxillofacial area and burdened dental status. Group 1 consisted of 24 people who underwent rehabilitation according to the general principles of rehabilitation of patients of the dental profile. Group 2 consisted of 21 people with the consequences of a fracture of the lower jaw, who underwent rehabilitation using therapeutic exercises for the muscles of mastication, face, neck, cervical collar zone, back , shoulder girdle; a course of massage (intraoral and classical) of the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint, neck, cervical collar zone; thermal procedures (dry heat) on the area of the temporomandibular joint; postisometric relaxation of masticatory muscles, neck muscles; kinesiological taping of the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, neck; training (education) of the patient (reception of soft food, restriction of wide opening of the mouth, elimination of dental bad habits). Rehabilitation lasted three months. Effectiveness was assessed by complaints, examination results, palpation, measurement of chin-sternum distance, "Hamburg test", manual muscle test. Results. During the re-examination, no such complaints were found in people of group 2, such as complications in swallowing, sound phenomena and pain in the temporomandibular joint, pain in the masticatory muscles, complications in nasal breathing, and pain in the neck. Complications when chewing food were found only in 28.6%, restriction of mouth opening - 28.6%, "uncomfortable" position of the jaw - 9.5%. The psycho-emotional state and sleep improved; corresponding complaints were found in 14.3% and 23.8%. The expression of visual manifestations of dysfunction decreased in both main groups with an advantage in individuals of the group. Pathological palpable changes were not detected in the temporal, masticatory, bifidus and hypoglossal muscles in individuals of group 2. Other changes were detected in a small number of individuals - in the lateral pterygoid in 14.3%, medial pterygoid in 9.5%, sternoclavicular-mammoid in 14.3%, trapezoid in 28.6%. In people of group 2, the distance between the chin and sternum when the neck was bent decreased from 4.82±0.42 cm to 2.16±0.23 cm (p<0.05). The decrease in manifestations of dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint during the "Hamburg test" was 11.9% in group 1, 38.3% in group 2, p<0.05. There was an improvement in the strength of the masticatory muscles according to manual muscle test during the movements of raising and lowering the lower jaw, its deviation and protrusion. Group 1, which underwent rehabilitation with the use of independent classes and passive use of preformed physical factors, did not demonstrate an effect on indicators of myofascial dysfunction of the neck; the achieved improvement according to the studied parameters of the orofacial zone were statistically significantly worse than the parameters of group 2. Conclusions. The obtained result is a justification for the need to apply programs of active functional physical therapy for the correction of myofascial dysfunction of the orofacial zone and the neck area in patients with injuries of the jaw.

Evaluation of the sustainable development of logistics based on local characteristics: Matching logistics architecture with resources.

This paper sets out to investigate the alignment between the logistics architecture and resources across China's nine logistics regions, while also examining the individual advantages these regions possess. With the goal of establishing an evaluative framework for sustainable logistics development, the research introduces the principle of logistics equilibrium to augment traditional evaluation metrics, thus forming an assessment index system designed to quantify the congruence between logistics architecture and resources.Utilizing a democratic evaluation approach that emphasizes individual regional advantages, and leveraging empirical data from the decade spanning 2011 to 2020, this paper reveals a general upward trajectory in the matching level of logistics resources to architecture albeit with notable regional disparities. It is observed that while certain areas have made significant strides, others lag, underscoring the varied pace of development among different logistics regions.The research also brings to light the distinct advantage characteristics that emerge as each region evolves, suggesting that these attributes can be harnessed to foster a more environmentally conscious and forward-thinking approach to logistics. By implementing a democratic evaluation to rank these regions, this paper aims to identify exemplars that are not only recognized for their achievements but also serve as models for the formulation of green and sustainable logistics strategies tailored to each region's specific needs and potential.

Comparison of Protocols to Test Peptide Stability in Blood Plasma and Cell Culture Supernatants.

Due to their high specificity, peptides are promising candidates in drug development, but fast degradation often limits their biological activity. Thus, a short half-life is one of the major challenges in the development of new peptide therapeutics. Moreover, the enzymatic cleavage of peptides can be a reason for misleading results in biological assays. Peptide stability assays typically consist of incubation, precipitation, and detection steps. However, the current methods differ greatly regarding these three steps, thus limiting the compatibility. Here, we systematically evaluate different parameters of peptide stability assays. First, we quantified and compared the analyte loss during the precipitation of plasma proteins. Especially, broadly used precipitation by strong acids was found to be unsuitable, while mixtures of organic solvents preserved more peptides for further analysis. Next, the stability of four fluorescently labeled model peptides was analyzed in blood plasma and two different cell culture supernatants. Strong variation in the degradation dynamics and patterns was found. Finally, we evaluated the role of fluorescent labeling on peptide stability and compared results to peptides with isotopic labels, underlining the individual advantages of both methods. Altogether, the data provide important parameters for analyzing and comparing the peptide stability.

Empirical Approach to Quantifying Sensitivity in Different Chemical Ionization Techniques for Organonitrates and Nitroaromatics Constrained by Ion-Molecule Reaction and Transmission Efficiency.

Accurate identification and quantification of nitro-containing species are of great significance to understanding their chemical behaviors in the atmosphere. By optimizing the operational conditions of the H3O+ and NO+ ionization modes in a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) and evaluating the performance of an iodide chemical ionization mass spectrometer (I- CIMS), this study leveraged the individual advantages of each ionization mode to effectively detect a diverse array of nitroaromatics and organonitrates (ONs). The H3O+ ionization mode largely fulfilled the criteria for real-time monitoring of gas-phase alkyl-, aryl-, and hydroxy-nitrates, and nitrophenols, albeit its reduced sensitivity toward ONs due to extensive fragmentation. In contrast, the NO+ mode demonstrated enhanced sensitivity for ONs with less fragmentation than the H3O+ mode. The I- CIMS featured distinguished sensitivity toward oxidized compounds containing polar functional groups, particularly increasing with the incorporation of hydroxyl, carboxyl, or nitrate groups. Further, we developed a calibration-based semiquantitative framework to enhance the accuracy of sensitivity estimation, constrained by ion-molecule reaction, transmission efficiency, along with possible decomposition of ion-clusters, with uncertainties ranging from 21% to 41% for H3O+ and 21-43% for NO+. Given considerable discrepancies (up to 1 order of magnitude) between measured and predicted sensitivity in I- CIMS using previously reported log-linear fitting, a declustering voltage (dV50)-based categorization approach was introduced, leading to a 5-fold improvement in measurement accuracy and an overall uncertainty of I- CIMS in quantifying nitro-containing species varying from 27% to 60%.

Health-Related Field-Based Fitness Tests: Normative Values for Italian Primary School Children.

Background/Objectives: conducting fitness tests in educational settings can lead to advantages for both individuals and groups, beyond just enhancing fitness. With the aim of appropriately interpreting performance, this study was conducted to establish sex- and age-specific percentile normative data for a physical fitness (PF) protocol and to define a compound measure of physical performance. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a short, feasible, and easy-to-administer test battery was performed for 5106 school children, aged 6-10 years. Gender- and age-specific percentiles for the PF tests were constructed, and a Physical Fitness-Motor Competence Performance Index (PF-MC PI) was calculated according to the percentiles. Results: Boys scored higher in all the PF tests when compared to girls (p < 0.001). There was also a trend towards increased PF levels as the age increased in both genders (p < 0.0001). Correlations between scores on individual test items were moderate to high (r from 0.549 to 0.700), and all individual test item scores significantly correlated with the PF-MC PI (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: the provided percentile values will enable the correct interpretation and monitoring of the fitness status of children and the PF-MC PI can be used for easily rating children's health-related fitness qualities.

Irresponsibility in the Exercise of Political Power: A Marxist Analysis of Animal Farm

Irresponsibility is the quality of not being trustworthy or dependable. In political arena, it has more to do with the traits of a leader who lacks a sense of responsibility and does not feel accountable for their actions. Indeed, irresponsibility in politics leads mostly to the abuse of power, that is, the misuse of a position of power to take unjust advantage of individuals, organizations, or governments. What is irresponsibility and how is it depicted in Animal Farm? Who are the characters involved in the misuse of political power in Animal Farm? How is this power used abusively and what are the consequences of it? These are the questions that this paper analyses through the lenses of the Marxist criticism and proposes clues of good conduct for the benefit of society.

The economic value of end-of-trip facilities for cyclist commuter in an office building

ABSTRACT The paper aims to investigate whether the presence of cycling-supportive facilities could add value to office buildings. Cycling to work offers numerous advantages for individuals, employers, the environment, and society, ranging from improved physical health, wellbeing and productivity to enhanced public health and reduced carbon emissions. However, the absence of secure bike parking and storage and shower and changing facilities (referred to as end-of-trip facilities) at workplace is identified as one of the hindrances to prevent more people from cycling to work. In this paper, we investigate whether office occupants are willing to pay rent premium for the end-of-trip facilities in an office building. The study uses data of office buildings across England as of the end of 2021. Hedonic technique is employed to examine whether office buildings with bike storage and shower facility command a rent premium. It is found that the buildings with bike storage and shower facility secure rent premiums, irrelevant of size and age of building and independently from any premium associated with BREEM certification. The level of rent premiums varies with location and region and is mainly driven by the shortage of the supply of these facilities.

Precocious maturation and semi-multivoltine lifecycle in a subtropical grass lizard, Takydromus toyamai

Abstract There are many short-lived animals, but those displaying a lifecycle with more than one generation per year (multivoltine lifecycle) are rare among terrestrial vertebrates. The multivoltine lifecycle requires rapid growth and maturation and a long active season. Thus, small lizards in humid tropical or subtropical areas are candidates for multivoltine lifecycles. To test this prediction, we conducted a capture-mark-recapture study of a subtropical grass lizard, Takydromus toyamai, endemic to Miyako Islands, Japan. Juveniles grew very quickly, averaging 0.3 mm/day in the warm season, and attained sexual maturity at 2.5 months post-hatching. The breeding season was very long, and hatchlings emerged from May to November. The prolonged breeding season and rapid growth to maturity allowed some individuals to produce a second generation in their first year. Estimates of hatching date from growth rates indicated that many females that hatched in May–June became gravid 76–120 days after hatching and 122–165 days after oviposition of the eggs from which they hatched. Analyses of juvenile survivorship and month of hatching suggest that nearly half of breeding adults were members of multivoltine generations, although the 2 generations were not discrete. The species is short-lived, with only 16% of individuals surviving beyond 12 months, and few individuals reproduced in a second year. We refer to this condition as a “semi-multivoltine lifecycle.” Individuals that hatch late in the season defer reproduction until the following year and become founders of the next season’s cohort. This putative advantage of late-hatching individuals may have driven the evolution of this lifecycle.

Working with Existential Inquiries in Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy

The article discusses methods of working with existential inquiries within the framework of Art therapy and Expressive Arts therapy. The author analyzes the effectiveness of various approaches and techniques used in these therapy methods to help clients in the process of actualizing existential crises, making sense of their existence, personal growth, and addressing life problems. The article explores concepts of Expressive Arts therapy psychotherapy, the psychology of meaning in life, and therapy through practical use. Practical recommendations for working with clients using art therapy and intermodal expressive arts therapy are offered, and an analysis of effectiveness factors, advantages and disadvantages is carried out. Utilizing art therapy and intermodal expressive arts therapy, among other modalities, to address existential issues proves to be a significant and impactful approach in providing support and guidance to clients. The visibility, accessibility, and resourcefulness inherent in these approaches are key advantages for individuals seeking to explore and comprehend their own meanings and experiences.

Revisiting the Obesity Paradox: Insights from Pulmonary Embolism Patient Outcomes

Background: Obesity is an epidemic in the US and has been associated with increased incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease and increased risk for pulmonary embolism (PE). However, the evidence of its effect on outcomes in PE patients remains equivocal. We aimed to investigate the impact of obesity on adverse in-hospital outcomes in PE. Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, focusing on adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with a discharge diagnosis of PE (ICD-10 code: I26) from 2016 to 2020. We specifically identified obese patients using the Elixhauser comorbidity measure within NIS and compared them to non-obese patients in terms of adverse in-hospital outcomes. Results: Between 2016 and 2020, there were 1,940,294 discharges for PE, with 436,505 patients (22%) identified as obese. A rising trend of obesity among PE patients was observed, increasing from 21.5% in 2016 to 24.3% in 2020. Obese patients, when compared to their non-obese counterparts, were more female (57.4% vs 49.1%, p&lt;0.001), younger (mean age 58.4 ± 15.1 years vs 64.0 ± 17.1 years, p&lt;0.001), and African American (21.2% vs 17.5%, p&lt;0.001). They also had higher rates of comorbid conditions like CHF (25.1% vs 21.2%, p&lt;0.001), hypertension (70.6% vs 58.2%, p&lt;0.001), diabetes (37.2% vs 21.5%, p&lt;0.001), and renal failure (16.2% vs 14.7%, p&lt;0.001). Obese patients were more likely to receive systemic thrombolytics (3.80% vs. 2.31%, p&lt;0.001), undergo surgical thrombectomy or embolectomy (0.24% vs. 0.16%, p&lt;0.001), and receive catheter-directed thrombectomy or thrombolysis (3.04% vs. 1.37%, p&lt;0.001). Paradoxically, despite these comorbidities and complications, obese patients demonstrated lower mortality rates (4.58% vs 7.60%, p&lt;0.001), mechanical intubation (7.71% vs 8.90%, p&lt;0.001), and shock requiring pressor support (1.73% vs 2.14%, p&lt;0.001). After adjusting for demographic factors, all comorbidities, and reperfusion therapies, the analysis consistently showed a reduced adjusted odds ratio for in-hospital mortality among obese patients (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.61-0.65, p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: Analyzing nearly two million inpatient cases of PE, our study revealed an intriguing association between obesity and reduced in-hospital mortality rates in PE patients. Notably, despite a higher prevalence of comorbidities and more frequent need for reperfusion interventions, obese patients exhibited lower mortality rates and fewer complications, such as the need for mechanical intubation and shock. This survival advantage in obese individuals persisted even after adjusting for potential confounders. These findings align with a similar study conducted on the German nationwide inpatient database and reflect the broader concept of the ‘obesity paradox,’ previously observed in cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. However, whether these results indicate a true protective effect of obesity, a ‘lean paradox,’ or are due to unidentified confounders remains a subject for further investigation.

Optimal approach for diagnosing peripheral lung nodules by combining electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) are essential bronchoscopic procedures for diagnosing peripheral lung lesions. Despite their individual advantages, the optimal circumstances for their combination remain uncertain. This single-center retrospective study enrolled 473 patients with 529 pulmonary nodules who underwent ENB and/or RP-EBUS biopsies between December 2021 and December 2022. Diagnostic yield was calculated using strict, intermediate, and liberal definitions. In the strict definition, only malignant and specific benign lesions were deemed diagnostic at the time of the index procedure. The intermediate and liberal definitions included additional results from the follow-up period. The diagnostic yield of the strict definition was not statistically different among the three groups (ENB/Combination/RP-EBUS 63.8%/64.2%/62.6%, p = 0.944). However, the diagnostic yield was superior in the ENB + RP-EBUS group for nodules with a bronchus type II or III and a solid part <20 mm (odds ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.09-3.53, p = 0.02). In terms of complications, bleeding was significantly higher in the ENB + RP-EBUS group (ENB/Combination/RP-EBUS 3.7% /6.2/0.6%, p = 0.002), but no major adverse event was observed. The combination of ENB and RP-EBUS enhanced the diagnostic yield for nodules with bronchus type II or III and solid part <20 mm, despite a slightly elevated risk of bleeding. Careful patient selection based on nodule characteristics is important to benefit from this combined approach.

An Online Decision Aid for Patients With Metastatic Melanoma.

Treatment decisions in metastatic melanoma (MM) are highly dependent on patient preferences and require the patients' involvement. The complexity of treatment options with their individual advantages and disadvantages is often overwhelming. We therefore developed an online patient decision aid (PtDA) to facilitate shared decision making (SDM). To evaluate the PtDA we conducted a two-armed, twocenter, prospective, open randomized controlled trial with MM patients who were facing a decision about first-line treatment. The patients were allotted randomly in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group (IG) with access to the PtDA before discussion with a physician or to a control group (CG) without access to the PtDA. The primary endpoint was knowledge about the options for first-line treatment (multiple-choice test, 10 items, range 0-40 points). The secondary endpoints were the SDM (third-party ratings of audio recordings of the treatment discussions) and satisfaction with the decision at the follow-up visit. Of the 128 randomized patients, 120 completed the baseline questionnaire and were analyzed (59% male, median age 66 years). The primary endpoint, i.e., the mean difference in knowledge after discussion with a physician, differed significantly between the IG and the CG (-3.22, 95% CI [-6.32; -0.12], p = 0.042). No differences were found for the secondary endpoints, SDM and satisfaction with the decision. The patients in the IG rated the PtDA as very useful. The PtDA improved the knowledge of patients with MM about the options for treatment. Both groups were highly satisfied with their treatment decisions. However, additional physician training seems necessary to promote SDM.

Factors Affect Green Product Purchase Decisions: The Mediating Role of Green Brand Image

Research on environmentally conscious consumer behaviour requires particular attention to Asian markets. Although Vietnam is an Asian developing nation with a noted environmental conscience, little is known about their green product purchase habits and decisions. Thus, the goal of this study is to investigate the factors influencing Vietnamese consumers' decisions regarding purchasing green products. The study evaluates a collection of theoretically proposed hypotheses using a convenience-based methodology. A 30-variable questionnaire was used to gather information from 347 residents. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to analyse the data. The suggested theories were tested using structural equation modelling. The findings demonstrated that the customers were eager to support protecting the environment, aware of their environmental duties, and ready to look for information about sustainable goods. Supporting environmental protection, drive for environmental responsibility, green product experience, environmental friendliness of companies, social appeal, and green brand image are all recognised as significant variables that have a direct impact on consumers' decisions to buy green products. Additionally, the study discovered that the association between these factors and decisions to purchase green products is mediated by the image of green brands. By investigating the variables influencing Vietnamese consumers' preferences to buy environmentally friendly goods, this study offers insightful information on green purchasing habits in that country. The findings can help marketers create persuasive green marketing campaigns that highlight the environmental, social, and individual advantages aligned with the brand image linked to purchasing green products. These approaches will have positive impacts on their purchase decisions.

Time Incongruences and Wait Crafting

A lot of time and effort is put into reducing waiting times in organizational life. However, jobs can include phases of waiting. The aim of this conceptual paper is to analyze waiting on the job level and provide a theoretical rationale for individual management of waiting times of employees. Wait crafting is introduced based on (job) crafting and its advantages for individuals and organizations outlined. Steps towards integrating the possibility of job crafting and needs for future research are indicated.

THE INCREASE OF CYBERCRIME AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A SPOTLIGHT ON THE MOROCCAN CONTEXT

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the entire world has been turned upside down. Daily practices such as work and education have shifted to the online and remote model at homes. This transition from in-person to online transactions has increased the prevalence of electronic crimes, commonly known as ‘cybercrimes’. These types of crimes are among the most significant types of crimes for the entire world and Morocco is no exception. Cyber-attackers have seized the opportunity of the pandemic to multiply their digital crimes and take advantage of individuals who were extremely frightened by the virus and bombarded with a significant amount of constant updates, including fake news, related to the Coronavirus outbreak. They have also exploited the increased use of people’s virtual communication particularly via social media platforms and the online vulnerabilities to target victims with low digital and media literacy. The current paper seeks to investigate the kinds of cybercrimes that have been committed online during the pandemic notably false promotion of products claiming to protect against COVID-19, online fraud operations, extortion, identity theft, threats, abuse, harassment, defamation, among others. Moreover, the researcher attempts to suggest proper ways to address these types of crimes and enhance cybersecurity that involve promoting digital literacy, implementing legal deterrence, and engaging multiple parties.

Comparative study of soil interaction and driving characteristics of different agricultural and space robots in an agricultural environment

AbstractThis paper investigates four different mobile robots with respect to their driving characteristics and soil preservation properties in an agricultural environment. Thereby, robots of classical design from agriculture as well as systems from space robotics with advanced locomotion concepts are considered to determine the individual advantages of each rover concept with respect to the application domain. Locomotion experiments were conducted to analyze the general driving behavior, tensile force, and obstacle‐surmounting capability and ground interaction of each robot. Various soil conditions typical for the area of application are taken into account, which are varied in terms of moisture and density. The presented work covers the specification of the conducted experiments, documentation of the implementation as well as analysis and evaluation of the collected data. In the evaluation, particular attention is paid to the change in driving characteristics under different soil conditions, as well as to the soil stress caused by driving, since soil quality is of critical importance for agricultural applications. The analysis shows that the advanced locomotion concepts, as used in space robotics, also have positive implications for certain requirements in agricultural applications, such as maneuverability in wet conditions and soil conservation. The results show potential for design innovations in agricultural robotics that can be used, to open up new fields of application for instance in the context of precision farming.

Perspectives in treatment-resistant depression: esketamine and electroconvulsive therapy.

Modern electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the approval of nasal esketamine for clinical use have significantly improved the approach to treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which is defined as non-response to at least two different courses of antidepressants with verified adherence to treatment, adequate dosage, and duration of treatment. The goal of this literature review is to present the newest evidence regarding efficacy and safety. Furthermore, we aim to provide an overview of future perspectives in this field of research, for example, regarding structural and molecular effects. Both treatment methods will be critically evaluated for their individual advantages, disadvantages, and response rates. Firstly, we will discuss the well-established method of ECT and its different treatment modalities. Secondly, we will discuss the properties of ketamine, the discovery of its antidepressive effects and the route to clinical approval of the esketamine nasal spray. We will comment on research settings which have evaluated intravenous ketamine against ECT. The decision-making process between esketamine nasal spray or ECT should include the assessment of contraindications, age, severity of disease, presence of psychotic symptoms, patient preference and treatment accessibility. We conclude that both treatment options are highly effective in TRD. If both are indicated, pragmatically esketamine will be chosen before ECT; however, ECT studies in ketamine non-responders are missing.