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Comparing encoding mechanisms in realistic virtual reality and conventional 2D laboratory settings: Event-related potentials in a repetition suppression paradigm
Get PDFAlthough the human brain is adapted to function within three-dimensional environments, conventional laboratory research commonly investigates cognitive mechanisms in a reductionist approach using two-dimensional stimuli. However, findings regarding mnemonic processes indicate that realistic experiences in Virtual Reality (VR) are stored in richer and more intertwined engrams than those obtained from the conventional laboratory. Our study aimed to further investigate the generalizability of laboratory findings and to differentiate whether the processes underlying memory formation differ between VR and the conventional laboratory already in early encoding stages. Therefore, we investigated the Repetition Suppression (RS) effect as a correlate of the earliest instance of mnemonic processes under conventional laboratory conditions and in a realistic virtual environment. Analyses of event-related potentials (ERPs) indicate that the ERP deflections at several electrode clusters were lower in VR compared to the PC condition. These results indicate an optimized distribution of cognitive resources in realistic contexts. The typical RS effect was replicated under both conditions at most electrode clusters for a late time window. Additionally, a specific RS effect was found in VR at anterior electrodes for a later time window, indicating more extensive encoding processes in VR compared to the laboratory. Specifically, electrotomographic results (VARETA) indicate multimodal integration involving a broad cortical network and higher cognitive processes during the encoding of realistic objects. Our data suggest that object perception under realistic conditions, in contrast to the conventional laboratory, requires multisensory integration involving an interconnected functional system, facilitating the formation of intertwined memory traces in realistic environments
Visualizing Benefits of Case Management Software Using Utility Effect Chains
No full textLabor shortages lead to crucial investment decisions, such as selecting software supporting work processes. The healthcare sector stands out because of additional restructuring due to demographic changes. This is particularly true for the care sector; hence, customized case management software (CMSW) solutions for healthcare professionals are being developed. In an increasingly profit-oriented healthcare system, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and quantification of benefits of investments play a major role. We analyzed research dealing with the benefits of case and care management software and, additionally, interviewed case managers who use recently developed CMSW within a case study. We used utility effect chains to visualize and quantify the gathered benefits of an information system (IS) investment along with the healthcare system in Germany. The findings show that benefits from care management software need to be seen more holistically. Utility effect chains can serve as a helpful instrument for the visualization of indirect benefits in healthcare. The most significant benefits of CMSW were found to be various cost savings for each of the participating stakeholders, a reduction in redundant entries of patient data and the prevention of cost-intensive revolving door cases. Additionally, the insight into patient records reduces time-consuming communication among health experts and family caregivers
Effects of phase synchronization and frequency specificity in the encoding of conditioned fear–a web-based fear conditioning study
No full textOscillatory synchronization in the theta-frequency band was found to play a causal role in binding information of different modalities in declarative memory. Moreover, there is first evidence from a laboratory study that theta-synchronized (vs. asynchronized) multimodal input in a classical fear conditioning paradigm resulted in better discrimination of a threat-associated stimulus when compared to perceptually similar stimuli never associated with the aversive unconditioned stimulus (US). Effects manifested in affective ratings and ratings of contingency knowledge. However, theta-specificity was not addressed so far. Thus, in the present pre-registered web-based fear conditioning study, we compared synchronized (vs. asynchronized) input in a theta-frequency band vs. the same synchronization manipulation in a delta frequency. Based on our previous laboratory design, five visual gratings of different orientations (25°, 35°, 45°, 55°, 65°) served as conditioned stimuli (CS) with only one (CS+) paired with the auditory aversive US. Both CS and US were luminance or amplitude modulated, respectively, in a theta (4 Hz) or delta (1.7 Hz) frequency. In both frequencies, CS-US pairings were presented either in-phase (0° phase lag) or out-of-phase (90°, 180°, 270°), resulting in four independent groups (each group N = 40). Phase synchronization augmented the discrimination of CSs in CS-US contingency knowledge but did not affect valence and arousal ratings. Interestingly, this effect occurred independent of frequency. In sum, the current study proves the ability to successfully conduct complex generalization fear conditioning in an online setting. Based on this prerequisite, our data supports a causal role of phase synchronization in the declarative CS-US associations for low frequencies rather than in the specific theta-frequency band
Modulation Mining - Computer-Aided Exploration of Functional Chord Forms
No full textThe different labelling systems defined by the functional theories of harmony have been developed from about 1870 to 1950, without the help of computers. The complexity of harmonic labels spans from pure triads over added characteristic dissonances, over alterations of the fifth, up to non-chord notes like suspensions. Computer-based evaluation of functional label expressions shows that thereby their cardinality increases up to several thousands. For this, we present the basic theory, a concrete program implemented in Prolog, and some empirical results. The software is capable of analysing historic published analyses by inductively collecting all appearing labels, as well as theories as such, where the set of labels is given deductively, by regular expressions. A major application is the mining for possible modulation chords, i.e. different functional labels which result in (enharmonically) the same pitch classes. That this strategy had actually been applied by composers manually is explained by significant examples from the Romantic period
Influence of growth conditions on magnetic, electronic and structural properties of ultrathin Co-based oxide films
Get PDFThis work deals with the growth of ultrathin magnetite (Fe3O4), cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) and nickel cobaltite (NiCo2O4) films and their characterization in terms of magnetic, electronic, and structural properties. The films are grown on different substrates using reactive molecular beam epitaxy (RMBE).
First, a Fe3O4/CoxFe3-xO4 (x=0.5 and x=1) bilayer film system is investigated in terms of interfacial magnetization. Here, the Fe3O4 layer thickness varies from 0nm to 13nm, while the CoxFe3-xO4 layer thickness is kept constant. The quality and stoichiometry of the films are checked in-situ using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). X-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements are used to determine the film thicknesses of the respective films. To determine the cationic distribution and magnetic moments, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements are performed and afterwards multiplet calculations and sum rules are applied, resulting in increased magnetization at the interface of the bilayers. Finally, magnetic hysteresis measurements are carried out using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) showing typical exchange-spring behavior.
In the second step, the growth behavior of ultrathin CoFe2O4 films in the early stages is investigated using operando hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). For this purpose, the CoFe2O4 films are grown on Nb doped SrTiO3(001) by RMBE and simultaneously HAXPES measurements are performed during deposition. The varying parameter is the oxygen partial pressure, which is changed from 5E-7 mbar to 5E-6 mbar. This results in a classification of the samples into metallic, light oxide and cobalt ferrite-like growth. Final X-ray diffraction measurements confirm the findings that emerge from the HAXPES measurements.
Finally, the material system is changed and NiCo2O4, also an Co-based oxide, is investigated. In particular, the influence of the use of oxygen plasma on the growth and stability is investigated here. For this purpose, two series of NiCo2O4 films on the substrates MgO(001), SrTiO3(001) and MgAl2O4(001) are investigated. Molecular oxygen is used for the first series and oxygen plasma is used for the second series. The in-situ XPS and LEED measurements show that a rock salt structure forms when molecular oxygen is used and the expected spinel structure forms when oxygen plasma is used. After transport under ambient conditions, XRR measurements are performed in order to determine the film thicknesses. Moreover, XRD and HAXPES measurements for structural and electronic properties are performed. The results of XRD measurements show that no spinel structure is present, regardless of whether molecular oxygen or oxygen plasma is used. The HAXPES measurements also show no spinel structure anymore, not even in deeper layers
Optical Spectroscopy in Natural Sciences: Between Mediation Formats & Open Source Hardware
Get PDFIn this thesis, a modular Open Hardware based DIY high-end spectrometer is used for mediating
the subject of optical spectroscopy. For this purpose, different, partly novel formats
are used or developed to significantly increase the accessibility of the subject within different
target groups with partly fundamentally different needs (school education, the maker movement,
extracurricular education, and university education). Subsequently, the newly developed
formats’ acceptance is evaluated by comparing them to established formats. In addition, the
hardware Open Source Hardware in use is also evaluated, mainly focusing on its effect on the
user employing two different studies (interview and questionnaire).
In order to make the subject of DIY high-end spectroscopy accessible to the field of education
(especially science education), two scientific papers with the titles A do-it-yourself
Czerny–Turner spectrometer: atomic emission, absorption, reflection, and fluorescence spectroscopy
in natural sciences and Spectrometer build of LEGO®-bricks – innovations for classes
in modern chemistry are published in established journals. Within the papers, a modular Open
Hardware C-T spectrometer based on LEGO®-bricks and professional low-cost optical and electronic
components is described in detail and tested regarding its suitability in different application
areas of spectroscopy (transmission and absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy
and reflection spectroscopy). Both papers have already been published in advance.
In contrast to the field of science education, optical spectroscopy is mediated to individuals
associated with the Maker movement using a sophisticated book with the title Measuring atomic
spectra yourself. The book is part of the series 1.000 laser hacks for Makers and has been
published in advance by the Bombini Verlag. The volume described in this thesis describes
the construction, adjustment, and handling of a modular Open Hardware C-T spectrometer
employing typical Maker tools. Furthermore, multiple experiments with different difficulties are
discussed to appeal to the broadest possible range of Makers with different levels of expertise.
In order to mediate optical spectroscopy in an extracurricular setting to a wide range of
people again with different levels of expertise, a recipient-specific novel practical training is
developed in this thesis. The practical training is carried out online to enable participation
regardless of location. The utilization of a modular Open Hardware based C-T spectrometer
(using LEGO®-bricks or the optocubes Framework) within the practical training enables the
participants to explore and adapt the spectrometer without the need for a sophisticated laboratory
or equipment. The practical training is carried out voluntarily at a university with
students and in the context of a vacation program at an educational institution with pupils,
with all necessary materials being sent to the participants by post.
Building on the novel practical training for extracurricular education, adaptations of practical
training are made to use it in university education in the field of physics. The basic idea of using
Open Hardware (exclusively using the Optocubes framework for mechanical constructions) in
combination with problem-oriented task design used in the extracurricular practical training is
also employed here. The modular Open Hardware aspect allows for the ground-up construction of a fully functional C-T spectrometer outside a dedicated lab. It enables the deployment of the
constructed spectrometer in various applications.
The interview study associated with the first round of the online practical training shows that
the participants rate the online practical training format positively but prefer the interaction
possibilities with each other in practical training in a shared location. The handling and the
working experience with the spectrometer are generally described positively, while criticism
is only expressed towards the time required to assemble the spectrometer utilizing LEGO®-
bricks. Based on the findings of the interview study, 13 hypotheses regarding the practical
training and the used system are proposed. Furthermore, as a result of the criticism, a more
sophisticated system, the optocubes framework, is used for all subsequent practical training to
cut the construction time to a possible minimum without neglecting the aspects highlighted in
the interview study.
Following the interview, a questionnaire study is conducted based on the 13 proposed hypotheses.
The study shows that the participants prefer a practical training at a location like a
university to working remotely. Regarding the tasks and materials used in the practical training,
classical scripts are preferred over an open-task design. The evaluation of the system hardware
shows that the users again rate it positively on average. Furthermore, the data also shows a
positive evaluation of the hardware regarding personal factors like motivation, enjoyment, and
ability self-concept. In addition to the overall positive evaluation of the DIY high-end spectrometer
itself and the associated working experience, it should be noted that the collected data
consistently show relatively standard solid deviations. Due to the sample size, no significant
changes could be found concerning concepts such as motivation, enjoyment, ability self-concept,
Etc., which could be caused by the practical training or the hardware in use, e.g., the DIY
high-end spectrometer
Care-Migration
Get PDF‚Care-Migration‘ ist ein globales Phänomen: In Regionen mit alternder Bevölkerung und einer nicht zureichenden Infrastruktur in den Bereichen Alten- und Kinderbetreuung sowie haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen wird die Rekrutierung von Migrant:innen als schnelle Lösung für Care-Defizite betrachtet. Die mediale und politische Thematisierung von ‚Care Migration‘ changiert zwischen positiv und negativ. Diskursiv spannt sich das Feld auf von der Reaktion auf einen Fachkräftemangel bis hin zur Abwertung der Tätigkeiten und Personen, die sie ausüben. Die Bewertung der Auswirkungen internationaler ‚Care-Migration‘ in den Herkunftsregionen reicht von der Wertschätzung der Leistungen von Migrantinnen bis zur Sorge, dass die Abwanderung zu einem care drain vor Ort führe und sich die Abwesenheit vor allem von Müttern negativ auf die Entwicklung zurückgelassener Kinder auswirke. Zugleich entwickeln sich transnationale Sorgepraktiken, deren Arrangements nicht nur von physischer Mobilität, sondern auch dem Einsatz digitaler Technologien geprägt sind. Feministische Theoretikerinnen haben die affektive und gesellschaftskonstituierende Bedeutung von Care betont. Daher sind die Bewertungen oft mit einem moralischen Unterton versehen. Eine breite Verständigung über faire, zukünftige Sorgearrangements könnte die aktuelle Diskussion produktiv wenden
Informatorische Komponenten eines Lernenden Gesundheitssystems für die Versorgung von Patienten mit chronischen Wunden: Elektronische Patientenakten, Interoperabilität und KI-gestützte Prognosemodelle
Get PDFIntroduction: In the recent years, a growing body of clinical and health information has been stored digitally, e.g., in electronic health records. This trend is expected to continue and will contribute to the crucial role of digital information as an essential source for clinical data-driven knowledge generation. Artificial intelligence systems that analyze clinical data are employed to accomplish learning and knowledge generation. This knowledge can then be used to support clinicians in clinical decision- making, thereby closing learning loops from the provision of health care, the production of more clinical data, to the extraction and modelling of knowledge. The concept of Learning Health Systems describes this idea of knowledge generation through its aim to learn from each patient’s data and continuously improve the caring of patients. Learning Health Systems were first proposed in 2007 as a socio- technological concept where social and technological components are synchronized to enable data- driven learning. In 2021, 14 years after the initial publication on Learning Health Systems, the German Council of Economic Experts on Health Care calls for its implementation in the German health system. The question remains if Germany is ready to do so.
Thus, this thesis investigates components necessary to establish Learning Health Systems. This thesis’ investigation focuses on three crucial information-technological components: electronic health records as data containers, a standardized terminology for health data to be shared and analyzed, and artificial intelligence systems providing algorithms to analyze the data. Those components are investigated from the viewpoint of chronic wound care as an example. Wound care is knowledge intense, but evidence is lacking because national guidelines are sparse and outdated. Thus, wound care promises to benefit from data-driven continuous learning in Learning Health Systems.
Research has been conducted for each of the three investigated information-technological components: The first two investigations focus on the availability of electronic health records and interoperable data structures that form the foundational building blocks of Learning Health Systems as they provide the necessary data for data-driven learning. The third investigation focuses on developing and validating an artificial intelligence-based prediction model that estimates wound complication risks, i.e., lower leg amputation, and can learn continuously from available health data. Based on this research results, this thesis evaluates and discusses whether the requirements – for the wound care use case – exist in Germany to build a Learning Health System on a local or national scale as suggested by the expert council.
Methods: The first investigation modelled the diffusion process of electronic health records (EHRs) in German hospitals using Bass’ formula based on Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation theory. This bass model describes its uptake in terms of innovation and imitation. To measure the diffusion of EHRs they were conceptualized as basic records that also comprise wound related information. The diffusion process was captured by five surveys conducted between 2007 to 2019. The second study investigated to which degree wound-related data items can be depicted in a standardized reference terminology, i.e., SNOMED CT, as a high degree of depiction would lead to what Learning Health Systems require for learning: interoperable health data. In the third initiative, a prediction model for wound care is developed, which focuses pars pro toto on patients with a diabetic foot ulcer. This model aims to use a-priori existing knowledge, which is subsequently updated by data to mimic continuous learning cycles of Learning Health Systems. A Bayesian modelling approach is evaluated to investigate the potential of this learning principle.
Results: All three studies demonstrate that a Learning Health System for the care of patients with chronic wounds is in principle feasible. For the question of electronic health care diffusion, the results showed that after 2007, the electronic health records leaped to a high initial uptake to an adoption rate of 42.4 % in 2009. This leap was followed by stagnation leading to an adoption rate of 49.3 % in 2017. For 2020, the Bass model forecasted that 55.0 % of hospitals will have adopted an electronic health record. These data showed that about half of the German hospitals are in principle capable of analyzing basic wound related data digitally. However, Germany has a lower adoption than the US that reached a margin of 80% in 2015 The second research revealed that two-thirds of a consented wound care dataset could be mapped to the standardized reference terminology SNOMED CT with satisfying reliability. It thus proved that based on SNOMED CT, wound related information could – at least part– become interoperable, sharable, and analyzable. Third, the Bayesian risk model to predict amputations in diabetic patients achieved high validity using local data in combination with a-priori knowledge from a European study. Thus, Bayesian models were found to be promising to serve for data-driven, continuous learning in Learning Health Systems.
Discussion: Combining the three findings, a clearer picture emerges of how ready Germany is to build a Learning Health System for wound care. The current availability of EHRs is likely too low to fuel a Learning Health System with data to learn from at a national level, However, those 50 % of the hospitals with an EHR may spearhead the process at a regional or local level. Furthermore, the German federal government has enacted laws that stipulate the use of those records from which Learning Health
Systems can profit nationwide on the long run. EHRs are necessary but not sufficient conditions for Learning Health Systems, as they must contain information that is interoperable – here in this case interoperable wound information. Interoperability can be achieved using SNOMED CT. Thus, wound- related EHRs should use this reference terminology to be able to share information across institutions and settings. Third, the results encourage the use of Bayesian modelling approach to data-driven learning because it supports the continuous integration of data and the foundation of learning cycles that learn from every patient treated. It also allows the integration of knowledge from external studies and thus enables a local Learning Health System to rely on more than its own data.
Although German hospitals as major hubs of EHRs must catch up as seen in the first study, Germany seems to be on the right way to approach the 100 % EHR adoption margin. The same applies to the use of SNOMED CT. Germany recently acquired a national SNOMED CT membership which puts German health care providers in a position to code wound related information in SNOMED CT and share them via EHRs. Despite these positive developments, the establishment of a national Learning Health system for wound care will take some time. However, regional, and local LHS seem to come soon within reach and can be leveraged using Bayesian models to avoid local or regional bias. In summary, this thesis shows what a path toward Learning Health Systems - not only in wound–care - might look like: interoperable domain-specific electronic records that provide data for Bayesian learning to improve health care delivery
Diaspora
Get PDFDiaspora ist ein Begriff, der in Religion, sozialen Bewegungen, Wissenschaft und Politik zur Selbst- und Fremdbezeichnung verwendet wird. Dieser Beitrag analysiert die verschiedenen Bedeutungen des Diaspora-Begriffs und zeigt auf, wie sie sich historisch entwickelt haben und miteinander in Beziehung stehen. Im Judentum war Diaspora zunächst ein theologischer Begriff, der die ‚Zerstreuung‘ in der Welt als göttliche Strafe sowie eine mögliche Rückkehr und Wiedervereinigung des ‚auserwählten Volkes‘ bezeichnete. Heute werden jüdische Menschen, die außerhalb Israels leben, als Diaspora bezeichnet. Im Christentum gelten konfessionelle Gruppen, die sich in einer Region in der Minderheit befinden, als Diaspora. Die Bezeichnung afrikanische Diaspora dient insbesondere der kulturellen Identifikation. Das wissenschaftliche Feld der Diaspora Studien bildete sich entlang verschiedener, stetig breiter werdender Diaspora-Definitionen heraus und machte den Begriff anschlussfähig für die internationale Politik. Diaspora-Politiken von Regierungen zielen darauf, die internationalen Geld- und Wissenstransfers von Migrant:innen für ,entwicklungsrelevante‘ Projekte nutzbar zu machen. Der positiv aufgeladene Diaspora-Begriff aus der Entwicklungspolitik wurde zögerlich in die internationale Migrationspolitik aufgenommen und steht hier im starken Widerspruch zu den gewaltsamen Grenzpolitiken. Unter Doing Diaspora schließlich wird eine Analyseperspektive gefasst, die einer essentialistischen Vorstellung von Diaspora entgegenzuwirken versucht, indem sie Diaspora als Kategorie der Praxis versteht, die unterschiedliche Akteur:innen mit je spezifischen Absichten verwenden und inszenieren
From Narratology to Computational Story Composition and Back–An Exploratory Study in Generative Modeling
No full textThere are two disciplines that are concerened with the same object of study, narratives, but that rarely exchange insights and ideas, let alone engage in collaborative research.
The first is Narrative Theory (NT), an analytical discipline from the humanities that attempts to analyze literary texts and from these instances derive a general understanding of the concept of narrative.
The second is Compuatational Story Composition (CSC), a discipline in the domain of Artificial Intelligence that attempts to enable computers to autonomously compose fictional narratives in a way that could be deemed creative.
Several reasons can be found for the lack of collaboration, but one of them stands out:
The two disciplines follow decidedly different research methodologies at contradistinct levels of abstraction.
This makes it hard to conduct NT and CSC research simultaneously, and also means that CSC researchers have a hard time validating whether they use NT concepts correctly, while NT scholars have no use for the outputs created by work in CSC.
At the same time, a close exchance between the two disciplines would be desirebale, not only because of the complementary approach to their object of study, but also because comparable interdisciplinary collaborations have proven to be productive in other fields, like for instance linguistics.
The present thesis proposes a research methodology called generative modeling designed to address the methodological differences outlined above, and thus allow to conduct simultaneous NT and CSC research.
As a proof of concept it performs several cycles of generative modeling, in which it computationally implements concepts and dynamics described in two frameworks from NT, namely Marie-Laure Ryan's possible worlds approach to plot, and Alan Palmer's fictional minds approach to characters.
In detail, the first cycle attempts to implement Ryan's possible worlds semantics and the resulting dynamics of plot, but falls short in a way that suggests that the first principles layed out in the theory are not sufficient to capture an example plot, for a number of reasons.
The second cycle resolves these hypothesized problems by extending Ryan's plot understanding with affective dynamics based on Palmer's understanding of fictional minds.
With plot dynamics completed, the third cycle implements Ryan's concept of tellability, which represents a quantifiable measure of the structural quality of plots.
The last cycle implements a Genetic Algorithm based search heuristic that is capable of searching the plot space spanned by the employed formalism for plots high in tellability, which provides additional insights on properties of tellability.
The resulting implementation is a in-depth computational representation of plot ingrained into the CSC System InBloom, which is capable of autonomusly composing novel plots and evaluating their quality.
The study reported in this thesis demonstrates, how implementing narratological theories as generative models can lead to insights for NT, and how grounding computational representations of narrative in NT can help CSC systems take over creative responsibilities.
Thereby, it shows the feasibility and utility of generative modeling