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In traditional medicine, natural remedies are often used based on empirical observation and experimental knowledge. Even today, the prescription of phytotherapeutics at major centers for integrative medicine, such as Klinik Arlesheim (KLA) in Switzerland, frequently reflects physician experience rather than a purely guideline-based approach. Therefore, prescribing patterns may offer valuable insights into the clinical logic and cultural framework behind the use of specific remedies. This study examines the use of bitter herbal preparations at KLA as a case example of how routine health data can support hypothesis generation and provide insight into therapeutic culture. This real-world data study involved the analysis of KLA’s prescription database between 2018 and 2019. A total of 301,821 prescriptions were screened, focusing on 66,038 prescriptions containing 34 predefined natural bitter remedies. The analysis was narrowed to 10 frequently used mono- and multi-herbal bitter preparations. Indications, forms of administration and prescribing clinical departments were analysed descriptively. A total of 10,660 prescriptions of bitter preparations were identified. Bitter preparations were most frequently prescribed in psychiatry and oncology particularly for patients experiencing anxiety, stress and stress-related nausea. This pattern diverges from their traditional gastrointestinal use and may reflect evolving clinical applications in integrative care. The study also demonstrates the potential of structured clinical data to surface novel patterns and research hypotheses. The prescribing patterns of bitter substances observed in this study highlight underexplored areas of integrative care, particularly in psychosomatic and oncological contexts. These findings underscore the value of structured, practice-based data as a window into lived therapeutic traditions. Future research should examine both the clinical effects and efficacy as well as the cultural dimensions of phytotherapeutic use, including the unconventional administration of herbal bitters.

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in patients with cancer. Fatigue reduces health-related quality of life. The Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) is a brief instrument that captures the multidimensional nature of fatigue with robust validity. The original scale was developed/validated with Japanese cancer patients. It was our aim to report the psychometric properties of an English translation of the CFS. This cross-sectional study was conducted between February-October 2008 in London, UK. Three groups were recruited: cancer patients (index group), diabetic patients (chronic disease control group), and a healthy control group. All participants completed a questionnaire on recruitment and a subset were retested at 2-8 weeks. Reliability was assessed with analysis of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), homogeneity (item-total correlations) and test-retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed with inter-subscale correlations. To assess convergent validity, the correlations between the CFS and FNS, EORTC - QLQ C30, and HADS were examined with Spearman Rank correlation coefficients. The discriminant validity was determined by the known group method. 160 participants were recruited: 60 cancer and 50 diabetes patients, and 50 healthy patients. Cronbach's alphas for the total scale and all three subscales (range 0.83,0.94) were all above the 0.70 criterion suggested for group comparisons thus the CFS showed excellent internal consistency. Homogeneity measures all fulfilled the 0.20 criterion (range 0.53-0.84). Combining the three groups, all test-retest correlations for the CFS and its subscales were above 0.7. Physical and affective subscales showed 100% scaling success. Both scores and sub-scores for the CFS correlated positively (p < 0.001) with FNS and HADS depression and anxiety subscales. The CFS correlated positively (p < 0.001) with all but one item of the EORTC-QLQ C30. This evaluation of the measurement properties of the CFS-English shows that it is a reliable and valid tool for assessing key dimensions of cancer-related fatigue.

Vision paper Abstract-Quantum computers have long been more of a toy for researchers than a tool for solving complex problems. However, recent advances in the field make exploiting the advantages of fault-tolerant quantum computers feasible in the next 5 to 10 years. It is now time to begin imagining how such devices could be used in practice for game development and deployment. In this work we identify procedural content generation as a very promising area of application and exploration. We examine a selection of algorithmic approaches used in classical procedural content generation and propose promising quantum algorithms that could provide an alternative approach or a computational advantage. We then end with a hypothetical game that exploits a recent quantum algorithm for computing the Jones polynomial exponentially faster than classical computers could.

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is common among breast cancer (BC) survivors. In addition to aerobic training, psychoeducation, sleep education/restriction, and mindfulness-based therapies are shown to reduce CRF. This study investigates the predictive effect of hygiogenetic and salutogenetic concepts, such as autonomic regulation (aR), self-regulation (SRS) and internal coherence (ICS) along with sleep quality (PSQI) and quality of life (EORTC QLQ C30, including cognitive, emotional and physical functioning) on the success of CRF therapies. Two studies are analyzed: a pilot (CRF-1) with 36 BC patients and a follow-up study (CRF2) with 126 patients either randomized or assigned to therapy by preference. All parameters were assessed at baseline and 10 weeks post-intervention (T1), and in CRF-2 also six months later (T2), and after four years (T3). Multiple linear regression models were applied. Trait aR and ICS are shown to be significant predictors of CRF when all timepoints of the CRF-2 study are included (βTrait aR = −0.170, df = 70, p < 0.001; βICS = −0.210, df = 70, p < 0.01) as well as when combined with data of the CRF-1 study (βTrait aR = −0.144, df = 101, p = 0.001; βICS = −0.211, df = 101, p < 0.01). Cognitive Function showed a borderline significance only at T3 and when all CRF-2 study time measurements were combined (βCF = −0.073, df = 70, p < 0.05). Using data from two studies with multimodal, aerobic and combined CRF treatments, this study highlights Trait aR and ICS at baseline as long-term predictors of CRF even four years after intervention. A stable autonomic regulation including rest/activity regulation and internal coherence are predictors for therapy response of a multimodal, combination or aerobic treatment in breast cancer survivors with CRF.

ZusammenfassungDie digitale ID gilt als wichtige Voraussetzung zur Realisierung ökonomischer, sozialer und politischer Potenziale in einer digitalen Welt. Nach der Ablehnung der E-ID-Vorlage in einer Volksabstimmung am 7. März 2021 versucht die Schweizer Politik, im Rahmen der Konzeption neuer E-ID-Lösungen die Interessen von Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft besser zu berücksichtigen. Der Beitrag befasst sich mit einem E-ID-Lösungsansatz auf der Basis von Blockchain-Technologie. Die Forschungsergebnisse einer quantitativ-empirischen Befragung unter 1730 Stimmberechtigten zeigen, dass die Bevölkerung einer derartigen Lösung positiv gegenüberstehen würde. Dieser Befund gilt sowohl geschlechter-, sprach- als auch annähernd parteiübergreifend. Ferner zeigt sich, dass die Bevölkerung dem Einsatz der Blockchain-Technologie auch in anderen Anwendungsbereichen nicht generell ablehnend gegenübersteht und die teils vorhandene Skepsis mittels allgemein verständlicher Erklärungen zu überwinden ist.

O fenômeno do estresse é um problema atual, sendo objeto de pesquisa multiprofissional em diversas áreas, pois apresenta riscos para o equilíbrio da saúde do ser humano. Os principais fatores que desencadeiam o estresse no ambiente laboral estão relacionados a aspectos da organização, administração, sistema de trabalho e das relações interpessoais -fatores que compõem os aspectos psicossociais. O esgotamento emocional é caracterizado pelo desgaste ou pela perda dos recursos emocionais e de energia, que conduzem à falta de entusiasmo, frustração, tensão e fadiga. A despersonificação é marcada pelo desenvolvimento de sentimentos e atitudes negativas no trabalho. Desta forma, a despersonificação seria a dimensão desencadeadora do processo. Ocorre quando o trabalhador adota atitudes negativas, e é acompanhada por insensibilidade e falta de motivação. Por fim, a baixa de realização pessoal é evidenciada quando há tendência negativa à autoavaliação profissional, aumento da irritabilidade, baixa produtividade, deficiência de relacionamento profissional e perda da motivação, tornando-se infeliz e insatisfeito. A atividade laboral hospitalar é caracterizada por excessiva carga de trabalho, contato com situações limitantes, altos níveis de tensão e riscos. Devido às próprias características do trabalho, as equipes de enfermagem e médica são mais suscetíveis ao estresse ocupacional. Este pode ser após um longo período de depressão, estresse ou grandes esforços de adaptação ou após um acontecimento traumático. Pode surgir com o início de uma outra condição mental como distúrbio de pânico ou depressão (estes podem ser resolvidos ficando apenas a despersonalização), pode surgir após o uso de várias drogas como a marijuana ou, menos comummente, alucinógenos, ecstasy ou quetaminas, ou de igual modo simplesmente do nada, sem um fator desencadeante. O medo de ficar louco, de perder o controlo e ficar com danos cerebrais permanentes, também é frequente. As queixas do foro cognitivo são comuns, especificamente uma diminuição na habilidade para se concentrar nas tarefas do quotidiano, principalmente as mais complexas, como uma maior frequência do esquecimento no seu dia a dia e a

Introduction Le récent numéro 114 du Bulletin suisse de linguistique appliquée (revue de l’Association Suisse de Linguistique Appliquée), dirigé par Sara Cotelli Kureth et Alain Kamber, est consacré à la place de la traduction dans l’enseignement/apprentissage des langues. Il comprend onze contributions, en trois langues (six en français, quatre en anglais et une en allemand), dont deux comptes-rendus. La traduction y est considérée tant comme un outil que comme activité pédagogique. Dans ce ...

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to better understand parental trust in and satisfaction with information sources and medical providers regarding decision making about childhood vaccines.SettingThe study was part of a Swiss national research programme investigating vaccine hesitancy and underimmunisation.ParticipantsWe conducted qualitative interviews with 37 providers and 30 parents, observed 34 vaccination consultations, and then conducted quantitative surveys with 130 providers (both complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) oriented and biomedically oriented) and 1390 parents.Main outcome measuresParticipants’ vaccination information sources used in their decision-making process, parents’ trust in and satisfaction with these sources and providers.ResultsBased on the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines scale, we considered 501 parents as vaccine-hesitant (VH) and 889 parents as non-VH. Whereas both groups mentioned providers as the most trusted source of information, VH-parents were less likely to mention paediatricians (N=358 (71%) vs N=755 (85%)) and public health authorities (N=101 (20%) vs N=333 (37%)) than non-VH-parents. VH-parents were more likely to have consulted another provider (N=196 (39%) vs N=173 (19%)) than non-VH-parents, to express less satisfaction with both their primary (N=342 (82%) vs N=586 (91%)) and other providers (N=82 (42%) vs N=142 (82%)) and less trust in their primary (N=368 (88%) vs N=632 (98%)) and other providers (N=108 (55%) vs N=146 (84%)). VH-parents were less likely to be satisfied with their biomedical primary provider than non-VH-parents (100 (69%) vs 467 (91%)). However, when the primary provider was CAM-oriented, there were similar levels of satisfaction among both groups (237 (89%) VH-parents vs 118 (89%) non-VH-parents). All differences were significant (p<0.05).ConclusionsWhile the provider remains the main information source, VH parents turn to additional sources and providers, which is likely related to VH parents being rather dissatisfied with and distrusting in obtained information and their provider.EthicsThe local ethics committee (Ethikkommission Nordwest- und Zentralschweiz, EKNZ; project ID number 2017-00725) approved the study.

Africa is a 1.2 billion person market on the cusp of transformative growth. It is adopting technology at a furious pace, and entrepreneurial energy pulses throughout the continent. It already has more big companies than you would imagine – and room for many more. Yet Africa still faces serious challenges. Although incomes are rising, poverty remains widespread. Businesses must contend with infrastructure gaps, fragmented markets, and regulatory complexity. To translate Africa’s opportunities into profitable, sustainable enterprises, executives need to reset their mental maps – recasting challenges as a spur for innovation and unmet market demand as room for growth. One key initiative that will help them do so is the France-Nigeria Investment Club, launched by President Emmanuel Macron in 2018. The Club’s priorities include fostering better understanding and cooperation between the two countries and their business communities, creating business opportunities, and triggering co-investment projects – not just in Nigeria but across Africa.