Gut Microbiota Colonization and Transmission in the Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides throughout Development

Microbial Biotechnolog

Exploring the Unknown: Evaluating ChatGPT's Performance in Uncovering Novel Aspects of Plastic Surgery and Identifying Areas for Future Innovation

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in various medical fields, including plastic surgery. This study aims to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT, an AI language model, in elucidating historical aspects of plastic surgery and identifying potential avenues for innovation. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of ChatGPT's responses to a diverse range of plastic surgery-related inquiries was performed. The quality of the AI-generated responses was assessed based on their relevance, accuracy, and novelty. Additionally, the study examined the AI's ability to recognize gaps in existing knowledge and propose innovative solutions. ChatGPT’s responses were analysed by specialist plastic surgeons with extensive research experience, and quantitatively analysed with a Likert scale. Results: ChatGPT demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in addressing a wide array of plastic surgery-related topics. The AI-generated responses were found to be relevant and accurate in most cases. However, it demonstrated convergent thinking and failed to generate genuinely novel ideas to revolutionize plastic surgery. Instead, it suggested currently popular trends that demonstrate great potential for further advancements. Some of the references presented were also erroneous as they cannot be validated against the existing literature. Conclusion: Although ChatGPT requires major improvements, this study highlights its potential as an effective tool for uncovering novel aspects of plastic surgery and identifying areas for future innovation. By leveraging the capabilities of AI language models, plastic surgeons may drive advancements in the field. Further studies are needed to cautiously explore the integration of AI-driven insights into clinical practice and to evaluate their impact on patient outcomes. Level of Evidence V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/0026

The Certification of ATLAS Thin Gap Chambers Produced in Israel and China

Thin gap chambers (TGCs) are used for the muon trigger system in the forward region of the LHC experiment ATLAS. A TGC consists of a plane of closely spaced wires maintained at positive high voltage, sandwiched between resistive grounded cathode planes with an anode wire to cathode plane gap distance smaller than the wire-to-wire spacing. The TGCs are expected to provide a trigger signal within 25 ns of the bunch spacing of the LHC accelerator, with an efficiency exceeding 95%, while exposed to an effective photon and neutron background ranging from 30 to 500 Hz/cm2. About 2,500 out of the 3,600 ATLAS TGCs are being produced at the Weizmann institute in Israel, and in Shandong University in China. Once installed in the ATLAS detector the TGCs will be inaccessible. A vigorous production quality control program is therefore implemented at the production sites. Furthermore, after chamber completion, a thorough program of quality assurance is implemented to ensure the efficient performance of the chambers during more than ten years of operation in the LHC high rate environment. This program consists of a detailed mapping of the detectors response using cosmic rays, as well as checking the chambers behavior using a high rate radiation source. An aging test performed on five chambers in a serial gas connection is presented. Finally the results of the chambers certification tests performed at CERN before the installation in ATLAS are described.Comment: Presented at 2004 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium 2004, Rome, Oct 200

The Complete Chloroplast Genome of 17 Individuals of Pest Species Jacobaea vulgaris: SNPs, Microsatellites and Barcoding Markers for Population and Phylogenetic Studies

Invasive individuals from the pest species Jacobaea vulgaris show different allocation patterns in defence and growth compared with native individuals. To examine if these changes are caused by fast evolution, it is necessary to identify native source populations and compare these with invasive populations. For this purpose, we are in need of intraspecific polymorphic markers. We therefore sequenced the complete chloroplast genomes of 12 native and 5 invasive individuals of J. vulgaris with next generation sequencing and discovered single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellites. This is the first study in which the chloroplast genome of that many individuals within a single species was sequenced. Thirty-two SNPs and 34 microsatellite regions were found. For none of the individuals, differences were found between the inverted repeats. Furthermore, being the first chloroplast genome sequenced in the Senecioneae clade, we compared it with four other members of the Asteraceae family to identify new regions for phylogentic inference within this clade and also within the Asteraceae family. Five markers (ndhC-trnV, ndhC-atpE, rps18-rpl20, clpP and psbM-trnD) contained parsimony-informative characters higher than 2%. Finally, we compared two procedures of preparing chloroplast DNA for next generation sequencing

Advancements, applications, and safety of negative pressure wound therapy: a comprehensive review of its impact on wound outcomes

The increasing adoption and widespread acceptance of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) have paralleled the expansion of its indications in clinical practice. The spectrum of indications for NPWT now extends to encompass soft tissue defects arising from trauma, infection, surgical wound care, and soft tissue grafting procedures. Recent advancements in NPWT devices have introduced various adjuncts, such as instillation of fluids or antibiotics into the wound. These additions empower surgeons to enhance the wound healing environment and contribute to combatting infections more effectively. This review delves into the latest literature addressing the proposed mechanisms underlying NPWT's action, its cost-effectiveness, its impact on patient quality of life, and the essential components necessary for its safe use. The review examines the evidence supporting NPWT's application in managing traumatic extremity injuries, controlling infections, and wound care. While NPWT generally exhibits a low complication rate, surgeons must remain aware of the potential risks linked to its utilization. Moreover, the review explores the widening scope of indications for NPWT, shedding light on prospective avenues for innovation and research in this field

Artificial Intelligence Language Model Performance for Rapid Intraoperative Queries in Plastic Surgery: ChatGPT and the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap

Background: The integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare has led to the development of large language models that can address various medical queries, including intraoperatively. This study investigates the potential of ChatGPT in addressing intraoperative questions during the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap procedure. Methods: A series of six intraoperative questions specific to the DIEP flap procedure, derived from real-world clinical scenarios, were proposed to ChatGPT. A panel of four experienced board-certified plastic surgeons evaluated ChatGPT’s performance in providing accurate, relevant, and comprehensible responses. Results: The Likert scale demonstrated to be medically accurate, systematic in presentation, and logical when providing alternative solutions. The mean readability score of the Flesch Reading Ease Score was 28.7 (±0.8), the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level was 12.4 (±0.5), and the Coleman–Liau Index was 14.5 (±0.5). Suitability-wise, the DISCERN score of ChatGPT was 48 (±2.5) indicating suitable and comprehensible language for experts. Conclusions: Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can serve as a supplementary tool for surgeons to offer valuable insights and foster intraoperative problem-solving abilities. However, it lacks consideration of individual patient factors and surgical nuances. Nevertheless, further refinement of its training data and rigorous scrutiny under experts to ensure the accuracy and up-to-date nature of the information holds the potential for it to be utilized in the surgical field

The Cosmic Ray Hodoscopes for Testing Thin Gap Chambers at the Technion and Tel Aviv University

Thin gap chambers (TGCs) are built for the muon trigger chambers in the endcap region of the LHC experiment ATLAS. More than 2500 ATLAS TGCs are being produced at the Weizmann institute in Israel, and in Shandong University in China. Detailed testing of these chambers is performed at the Technion and at the Tel-Aviv University. Two cosmic ray hodoscopes for testing the operation of these detectors were built in Israel. In these hodoscopes the response of the chambers to energetic cosmic ray muons is recorded and analyzed. The hodoscopes measure the exact time and space location of the cosmic ray hit and read out the chambers which are being tested to verify that they produce a corresponding signal within the required time interval. The cosmic ray hodoscopes built at the Technion and at the Tel Aviv University for the test of ATLAS TGCs are described. The mechanical structure, readout electronics, data acquisition and operating scheme are presented. Typical TGC test results are presented and discussed

Оптимизация процессов выработки электроэнергии комбинированной электроэнергетической системой

Синтезована комбінована система електропостачання хімічного підприємства, що включає джерела об'єднаної енергосистеми, міні-ГЕС та турбогенератор, який працює на теплоті, що виділяється в результаті технологічного процесу. Запропоновано математичну модель оптимізації вироблення електроенергії синтезованої енергосистеми. Показано, що використання комбінованого електропостачання забезпечує зменшення генерованої потужності в об'єднаній енергосистемі України, що призводить до пропорційного зменшення викидів СО₂ в атмосферу.Energy supply of chemical objects is considered. It is shown that use of own energy sources by this energy consumption group is not widely applied. In the article it is displayed that the heat produced during ammonia synthesis is not applied for effective work, moreover, additional energy is wasted to cool down the vapor. Thus, energy saving effect can be reached through use of the heat given out during transferring this energy to electricity; and for intake pumps supply energy of mini HES built on the nearby river can be used. A combined energy supply system for chemical plant was suggested; it composes from units of Unified Power System, mini-HES and turbine-generating set which applies the heat produced during technological process. Mathematical model for optimization of electricity production by the combined power system was proposed. It is shown that combined energy production contributes diminishing generated capacity in the UPS of Ukraine and CO₂ emissions ejected to atmosphere proportionally.Синтезирована комбинированная система электроснабжения химического предприятия, включающая источники объединенной энергосистемы, мини-ГЭС и турбогенератор, работающий на теплоте, выделяющейся в результате технологического процесса. Предложена математическая модель оптимизации выработка электроэнергии синтезированной энергосистемы. Показано, что использование комбинированного электроснабжения обеспечивает уменьшение генерируемой мощности в объединенной энергосистеме Украины, что приводит к пропорциональному уменьшению выбросов СО₂ в атмосферу

Implementation of genomics in medical practice to deliver precision medicine for an Asian population

Whilst the underlying principles of precision medicine are comparable across the globe, genomic references, health practices, costs and discrimination policies differ in Asian settings compared to the reported initiatives involving European-derived populations. We have addressed these variables by developing an evolving reference base of genomic and phenotypic data and a framework to return medically significant variants to consenting research participants applicable for the Asian context. Targeting 10,000 participants, over 2000 Singaporeans, with no known pre-existing health conditions, have consented to an extensive clinical health screen, family health history collection, genome sequencing and ongoing follow-up. Genomic variants in a subset of genes associated with Mendelian disorders and drug responses are analysed using an in-house bioinformatics pipeline. A multidisciplinary team reviews the classification of variants and a research report is generated. Medically significant variants are returned to consenting participants through a bespoke return-of-result genomics clinic. Variant validation and subsequent clinical referral are advised as appropriate. The design and implementation of this flexible learning framework enables a cohort of detailed phenotyping and genotyping of healthy Singaporeans to be established and the frequency of disease-causing variants in this population to be determined. Our findings will contribute to international precision medicine initiatives, bridging gaps with ethnic-specific data and insights from this understudied population