The present study examines whether self-reported trust in humans and self-reported trust in [(different) products with built-in] artificial intelligence (AI) are associated with one another and with brain structure. We sampled 90 healthy participants who provided self-reported trust in humans and AI and underwent brain structural magnetic resonance imaging assessment. We found that trust in humans, as measured by the trust facet of the personality inventory NEO-PI-R, and trust in AI products, as measured by items assessing attitudes toward AI and by a composite score based on items assessing trust toward products with in-built AI, were not significantly correlated. We also used a concomitant dimensional neuroimaging approach employing a data-driven source-based morphometry (SBM) analysis of gray-matter-density to investigate neurostructural associations with each trust domain. We found that trust in humans was negatively (and significantly) correlated with an SBM component encompassing striato-thalamic and prefrontal regions. We did not observe significant brain structural association with trust in AI. The present findings provide evidence that trust in humans and trust in AI seem to be dissociable constructs. While the personal disposition to trust in humans might be “hardwired” to the brain’s neurostructural architecture (at least from an individual differences perspective), a corresponding significant link for the disposition to trust AI was not observed. These findings represent an initial step toward elucidating how different forms of trust might be processed on the behavioral and brain level.

In a Nicaraguan population-based cohort, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence reached 28% in the first 6 months of the country's epidemic and reached 35% 6 months later. Immune waning was uncommon. Individuals with a seropositive household member were over three times as likely to be seropositive themselves, suggesting the importance of household transmission.

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) workflows are often retrospective and manual. New tools, however, have entered the field to facilitate rapid prospective monitoring of infections in hospitals. Although artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled platforms facilitate timely, on-demand integration of clinical data feeds with pathogen whole-genome sequencing (WGS), a standardized workflow to fully harness the power of such tools is lacking. We report a novel, evidence-based workflow that promotes quicker infection surveillance via AI-assisted clinical and WGS data analysis. The algorithm suggests clusters based on a combination of similar minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data, timing of sample collection, and shared location stays between patients. It helps to proactively guide IPC professionals during investigation of infectious outbreaks and surveillance of multidrug-resistant organisms and healthcare-acquired infections. Methods: Our team established a 1-year workgroup comprised of IPC practitioners, clinical experts, and scientists in the field. We held weekly roundtables to study lessons learned in an ongoing surveillance effort at a tertiary care hospital—utilizing Philips IntelliSpace Epidemiology (ISEpi), an AI-powered system—to understand how such a tool can enhance practice. Based on real-time case discussions and evidence from the literature, a workflow guidance tool and checklist were codified. Results: In our workflow, data-informed clusters posed by ISEpi underwent triage and expert follow-up analysis to assess: (1) likelihood of transmission(s); (2) potential vector(s) identity; (3) need to request WGS; and (4) intervention(s) to be pursued, if warranted. In a representative sample (spanning October 17, 2019, to November 7, 2019) of 67 total isolates suggested for inclusion in 19 unique cluster investigations, we determined that 9 investigations merited follow-up. Collectively, these 9 investigations involved 21 patients and required 115 minutes to review in ISEpi and an additional 70 minutes of review outside of ISEpi. After review, 6 investigations were deemed unlikely to represent a transmission; the other 3 had potential to represent transmission for which interventions would be performed. Conclusions: This study offers an important framework for adaptation of existing infection control workflow strategies to leverage the utility of rapidly integrated clinical and WGS data. This workflow can also facilitate time-sensitive decisions regarding sequencing of specific pathogens given the preponderance of available clinical data supporting investigations. In this regard, our work sets a new standard of practice: precision infection prevention (PIP). Ongoing effort is aimed at development of AI-powered capabilities for enterprise-level quality and safety improvement initiatives.

Funding: Philips Healthcare provided support for this study.

Disclosures: Alan Doty and Juan Jose Carmona report salary from Philips Healthcare.

Background: The patient environment is increasingly considered a major source of transmission of nosocomial bacteria to patients. In May 2019, a cluster of 3 patients with multiresistant Enterobacter cloacae was discovered in the hematology-oncology department of the Maastricht University Medical Center (built in 1991). The strains had an identical antibiogram: ESBL-positive, ciprofloxacin R, cotrimoxazole R, meropenem S, and colistin S. One neutropenic patient had a positive blood culture for this strain, resistant to the empiric treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam, but the patient recovered after switching the antibiotic regimen to meropenem. All strains were determined to be identical by amplified-fragment length polymorphism and whole-genome multi-locus sequencing typing (genotype A). New cases occurred, despite the introduction of contact isolation of positive and contact patients. Therefore, weekly point-prevalence screening was introduced, in which more newly colonized patients were identified in the subsequent weeks. Attention to hand hygiene was enforced, and the hypothesis of contamination from “wet” environmental locations was tested by performing cultures of sinks and shower drains. In June and July, 47 of 241 environmental cultures (19.5%) were positive for E. cloacae with an identical antibiogram, among which some were typed as genotype A. To diminish the environmental contamination, all siphons of sinks were replaced, and disinfection of sinks and shower drains was intensified using chlorine and soda on a daily basis. Replacement of shower drains was not possible. After this intervention, the incidence of newly colonized patients declined gradually. A change in the regimen of selective gut decontamination in hematology patients was considered as an alternative intervention, but with the decrease in new patient cases, this was not implemented. A final round of environmental cultures at the end of August revealed 8 positive cultures, of which 5 were positive for genotype A. In retrospect, this finding could be explained by the fact that the cleaning team did not follow the intensified instructions for disinfection. From week 29, genotype A E. cloacae was no longer cultured in weekly patient screenings. Based on this observation, it is important that in (re)building plans for hospitals, a master plan for the prevention of nosocomial transmission from environment to patients is incorporated.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

We present sea-ice surface roughness estimates, i.e. the standard deviation of relative surface elevation, in the Arctic regions of Fram Strait and the Nansen Basin north of Svalbard acquired by an airborne laser scanner and a single-beam laser altimeter in 2010. We compare the scanner to the altimeter and compare the differences between the two survey regions. We estimate and correct sensor roll from the scanner data using the hyperbolic response of the scanner over a flat surface. Measurement surveys had to be longer than 5 km north of Svalbard and longer than 15 km in Fram Strait before the statistical distribution in surface roughness from the scanner and altimeter became similar. The shape of the surface roughness probability distributions agrees with those of airborne electromagnetic induction measurements of ice thickness. The ice in Fram Strait had a greater mean surface roughness, 0.16 m vs 0.09 m, and a wider distribution in roughness values than the ice in the Nansen Basin. An increase in surface roughness with increasing ice thickness was observed over fast ice found in Fram Strait near the coast of Greenland but not for the drift ice.

The large-scale thickness distribution of sea ice was measured during several campaigns in the European Arctic north of Svalbard from 2007 using an airborne electromagnetic induction device. In August 2010 and April-May 2011, this was complemented by extensive on-ice work including measurements of snow thickness and freeboard. Ice thicknesses show a clear difference between the seasons, with thicker ice during spring than in summer. In spring 2011, negative freeboard and flooding were observed as a result of the extensive snow cover. We find that the characteristics of the first-year sea ice allow combining observations from different years. The ice thickness in the marginal ice zone increases with increasing latitude and increasing distance to the ice edge; however, in the inner ice pack from ∼100 km from the ice edge the thickness remains almost constant. Modal ice thickness in spring reaches 2.4 m whereas in summer it is 1.0–1.4 m. Our study provides new insight into ice thickness distributions of a typical ice cover consisting of mainly first- and second-year ice, which may become the dominant ice type in the Arctic in the future.

Rigorous finite element optical simulations have been used to examine the absorption of light in various crystalline silicon based, nanostructured solar cell architectures. The compared structures can all be produced on glass substrates using a periodically structured dielectric coating and a combination of electron-beam evaporation of silicon and subsequent solid phase crystallization. A required post-treatment by selective etching of non-compact silicon regions results in an absorber material loss. We show that by adequately tailoring the optical design around the processed silicon layer, the absorptance loss due to material removal can be completely overcome. The resulting silicon structure, which is an array of holes with non-vertical sidewalls, shows promising light path enhancement and features an even higher absorptance than the initial nanodome structure of the unetched absorber.

A new technique for micropatterning Fe-based bulk metallic glass surfaces is reported. The transpassive dissolution process is utilized for a defined localized material removal when using a pulsed electrochemical micromachining process. By applying submicrosecond pulses between a work piece and a tool electrode, microholes of high aspect ratio and depth of up to 100 μm can be machined into the bulk glassy Fe65.5Cr4Mo4Ga4P12C5B5.5 alloy. Two potential electrolytes are identified for the machining process. For these electrolytes, different reaction mechanisms are discussed. The possibility of machining more complex structures is demonstrated for the most promising electrolyte, a methanolic H2SO4solution. The impact of the process parameters, pulse length and pulse voltage, on the machining gap and the surface quality of the machined structures is evaluated.

Palmaria decipiens (Reinsch) R.W. Ricker (1987) represents one of the dominant rhodophyte species in Antarctic coastal ecosystems. Due to its high abundance in the intertidal and upper subtidal it plays a key role in ecosystem structure and function, providing habitat, food and shelter for a multitude of associated organisms. The physiology, reproductive strategy and life cycle of P. decipiens is considered as being well adapted to the Antarctic environment, which is characterized by permanent low water temperatures and a strong seasonality in light climate. With its obvious ecological significance and adaptive strategies P. decipiens was frequently studied as a typical representative of an endemic Antarctic macroalga. Here we provide an overview of the recent literature, summarizing the knowledge gained about the alga during the last 25 years. This review focuses on the species life cycle and physiological responses, such as temperature requirements, photosynthetic characteristics, pigment content and protective mechanisms with regard to enhanced ultraviolet radiation (UV-B radiation, 280–315 nm and UV-A radiation, 315–400 nm). The ecology of P. decipiens is reviewed focussing on grazing activity and abundance patterns. Since most studies on P. decipiens have been conducted at King George Island off the western Antarctic Peninsula this overview serves as a summary of baseline data from an ecosystem particularly prone to environmental change.

Aim – We aimed at developing a prioritized set of quality indicators for schizophrenia care to be used for continuous quality monitoring. They should be evidence-based and rely on routine data. Methods – A systematic literature search was performed to identify papers on validated quality indicators published between 1990 to April 2008 in MEDLINE, the Cochrane databases, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Databases of relevant national and international organizations were searched. Indicators were described with respect to meaningfulness, feasibility and actionability. A workshop with relevant stakeholders evaluated the measures through a structured consensus process. Results – We identified 78 indicators through literature search and selected 22 quality indicators. Furthermore, 12 structural and case-mix indicators were choosen. Only five quality indicators were rated “essential indicators” (priority 1), 14 were rated “additional first choice” (priority 2), and three were rated as “additional second choice” (priority 3). Only four indicators assessed outcome quality. In the majority of indicators the evidence base supporting the indicator recommendation was weak. None of the selected indicators was validated in experimental studies. Conclusions – Evidence and validation base played only a subordinate role for indicator prioritisation by stakeholders indicating that there are discrepancies between clinical questions and requirements in schizophrenia care and scientific research.

Declaration of Interest: Stefan Weinmann and Thomas Becker received an unrestricted grant from the Federal Association of Local Health Funds (AOK-BV) for the whole project. Christiane Roick is an employee of the AOK-BV. All authors declare that there are no other financing arrangements or payments that might be considered a conflict of interests related to the present paper.