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Schematic maps for in-car navigation: Schematizing car routes with polygonal landmarks and surrounding street network to improve digital map interaction and spatial knowledge acquisition
No full textDie visuelle Kommunikation aktueller Navigationssysteme ist darauf optimiert, dass der Nutzer passiv einer Anweisung nach der anderen folgt. Sie konzentriert sich auf den Weg und nicht auf die Selbstlokalisierung und Orientierung des Fahrers. In dieser Dissertation wird untersucht, wie schematische Karten Navigationssysteme verbessern können, um den Erwerb von Raumwissen und die Orientierung zu unterstützen. Eine schematische Karte ist eine Art von Kartographie, die sich auf die Topologie der geographischen Elemente konzentriert und nicht auf metrische Genauigkeit. Sie nutzen Generalisierungen, um bestimmte funktionale Aspekte der Karte zu verbessern. Daher haben wir einen neuartigen Algorithmus entwickelt, um Auto-Routenkarten mit Kontextinformationen (Landmarken und das umgebende Straßennetz) zu schematisieren, die darauf abzielen, Orientierungsinformationen hervorzuheben. Die Auswertung der resultierenden Karten hat gezeigt, dass eine solche Visualisierung die Mensch-Computer-Interaktion und den Erwerb von räumlichem Wissen verbessern kann.Current navigation systems' visual communication is optimized for users to follow one instruction at a time passively. It focuses on the way instead of the driver's self-localization and orientation. This dissertation investigates how schematic maps can improve navigation systems to support spatial knowledge acquisition and orientation. A schematic map is a type of cartography that focuses on the geographic elements' topology instead of metric accuracy. They make use of generalizations to improve specific functional aspects of the map. Therefore, we developed a novel algorithm to schematize car route maps with context information (landmarks and the surrounding street network) that is aimed at highlighting orientation information. The resulting maps evaluation demonstrated that such visualization can improve human-computer interaction and spatial knowledge acquisition
The effects of visual working memory load on detection and neural processing of task-unrelated auditory stimuli
No full textWhile perceptual load has been proposed to reduce the processing of task-unrelated stimuli, theoretical arguments and empirical findings for other forms of task load are inconclusive. Here, we systematically investigated the detection and neural processing of auditory stimuli varying in stimulus intensity during a stimuli-unrelated visual working memory task alternating between low and high load. We found, depending on stimulus strength, decreased stimulus detection and reduced P3, but unaffected N1 amplitudes of the event-related potential to auditory stimuli under high as compared to low load. In contrast, load independent awareness effects were observed during both early (N1) and late (P3) time windows. Findings suggest a late neural effect of visual working memory load on auditory stimuli leading to lower probability of reported awareness of these stimuli
Unterrichtswahrnehmung von (angehenden) Biologielehrpersonen: Umgang mit Schülervorstellungen im Evolutionsunterricht
No full textDie Studie untersucht die Unterrichtswahrnehmung von Studierenden, Referendar*innen und Lehrpersonen mit dem Unterrichtsfach Biologie, indem die soziale Praktik des Sprechens über den Umgang mit anthropomorphen und teleologischen Schülervorstellungen im Evolutionsunterricht analysiert wird. Zur Datenerhebung wurde eine Videovignette als Impuls für 31 Gruppendiskussionen und 9 Einzelinterviews mit insgesamt 115 (angehenden) Biologielehrpersonen eingesetzt. Die Datenauswertung erfolgt mit der Dokumentarischen Methode, da diese auf die Analyse sozialer Praktiken ausgerichtet ist und die Unterscheidung zwischen explizitem und implizitem Wissen ermöglicht. Ein Subsample von 15 kontrastreichen Fällen wurde vollständig interpretiert und zur Typenbildung herangezogen. Die kennzeichnende Gemeinsamkeit aller 15 Fälle ist der rekonstruierte Bewertungsmodus. Unterschiede zeigen sich insbesondere in der Bedeutung die den Vorstellungen der Schüler*innen für den Unterricht beigemessen wird, sowie im Verständnis der zugrunde liegenden Lehr- und Lernprozesse
What do we know about the role of neoadjuvant targeted therapy in early-stage EGFR-mutant and ALK-fused non-small cell lung cancer?—a narrative review of the current literature
No full textBackground and Objective: The standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer '(NSCLC)' harbouring epidermal growth factor receptor '(EGFR)' mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase '(ALK)' fusions is targeted therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, data are still lacking on the use of TKIs as a neoadjuvant or induction approach. Therefore, this narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on resectable 'EGFR-mutant' and 'ALK-fused' NSCLC regarding available perioperative treatment regimens and off-label neoadjuvant use of targeted therapy. Methods: The relevant literature was identified by using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov (last search phase June 2024) and was restricted to English language. Peer-reviewed manuscripts but also conference abstracts that did not undergo peer-review were included. Key Content and Findings: Patients with 'EGFR-mutations' and 'ALK-fusions' have typically been excluded from available phase III perioperative immunotherapy trials due to lower efficacy and higher toxicity of immunotherapy in those patients. In the adjuvant setting, recent evidence from the phase III ALINA and ADAURA trials demonstrated efficacy and safety of targeted therapy in resected 'ALK-fused' and 'EGFR-mutant' NSCLC. However, to date there is no approval for the use of TKIs as neoadjuvant or induction therapy in those patients. We have therefore identified a number of case series and phase II trials using targeted therapy in resectable 'EGFR-mutant' and 'ALK-fused' NSCLC. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that targeted therapies might be effective in patients with resectable 'EGFR-mutant' and 'ALK-positive' NSCLC, but ongoing trials will need to provide further evidence on the safety and efficacy of perioperative TKI therapy
Aberrant Complement Activation Is Associated With Structural Brain Damage in Multiple Sclerosis
No full textBackground and Objectives: Levels of activated complement proteins in the CSF are increased in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are associated with clinical disease severity. In this study, we determined whether complement activation profiles track with quantitative MRI metrics and liquid biomarkers indicative of disease activity and progression. Methods: Complement components and activation products (Factor H and I, C1q, C3, C4, C5, Ba, Bb, C3a, C4a, C5a, and sC5b-9) and liquid biomarkers (neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], CXCL-13, CXCL-9, and IL-12b) were quantified in the CSF of 112 patients with clinically isolated syndromes and 127 patients with MS; longitudinal MRIs according to a standardized protocol of the Swiss MS cohort were assessed. We used multivariable models to analyze associations of the 12 complement parameters as individual independent variables and longitudinal brain volumes, T2-weighted (T2w) lesion volumes, contrast-enhancing (CELs) and paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs), and molecular biomarkers as dependent variables, respectively. Results: Strongest associations with accelerated brain atrophy were found for C4a: doubling of C4a CSF levels was associated with an additional brain volume loss of −0.24% (95% CI −0.31% to −0.16%; p < 0.0001) per year, followed by Ba and C3a (−0.22% [−0.29% to −0.15%]) and −0.13% ([−0.21 to −0.06]; both p < 0.001). Doubling of C3a, Ba, and C4a levels correlated with 2.2- (1.6–3.0; p < 0.0001), 2.0- (1.3–3.1; p = 0.0038), and 1.8-fold (1.2–2.6; p = 0.0029) increased longitudinal T2w lesion volumes; C3a and Ba were associated with 2.5- (1.4–4.6; p = 0.0022) and 3.3-fold (1.5–7.2; p = 0.0024) higher odds for CELs and 2.6- (1.7–4.0; p < 0.0001) and 2.3-fold (1.3–4.3; p = 0.006) increased PRL incidence rates. C1q, C3a, and C4a were associated with higher GFAP levels, and CXCL-13, CXCL-9, and IL-12b analyses showed consistent patterns with strongest associations for C1q, followed by Ba, C3a, and C4a. Discussion: Intrathecal complement activation is consistently associated with MRI metrics and liquid biomarkers indicative for MS disease activity and progression. Our results demonstrate that aberrant complement activation is strongly associated with structural brain damage in MS. Therapeutic targeting of the complement system might limit disability accumulation due to MS
A bi-kinase module sensitizes and potentiates plant immune signaling
No full textSystemic signaling is an essential hallmark of multicellular life. Pathogen encounter occurs locally but triggers organ-scale and organismic immune responses. In plants, elicitor perception provokes systemically expanding Ca2+ and H2O2 signals conferring immunity. Here, we identify a Ca2+ sensing bi-kinase module as becoming super-activated through mutual phosphorylation and as imposing synergistically enhanced NADPH oxidase activation. A combined two-layer bi-kinase/substrate phospho-code allows for sensitized signaling initiation already by near-resting elevations of Ca2+ concentration. Subsequently, it facilitates further signal wave proliferation with minimal Ca2+ amplitude requirement, triggering protective defense responses throughout the plant. Our study reveals how plants build and perpetuate trans-cellular immune signal proliferation while avoiding disturbance of ongoing cellular signaling along the path of response dissemination
A domesticated photoautotrophic microbial community as a biofilm model system for analyzing the influence of plastic surfaces on invertebrate grazers in limnic environments
No full textThe environmental fate of plastic particles in water bodies is influenced by microbial biofilm formation. Invertebrate grazers may be affected when foraging biofilms on plastics compared to biofilms on natural substrata but the mechanistic basis for these effects is unknown. For analyzing these effects in ecotoxicological assays stable and reproducible biofilm communities are required that are related to the environmental site of interest. Here, a defined biofilm community was established and used to perform grazing experiments with a freshwater snail. For this, snippets of different plastic materials were incubated in the photic zone of three different freshwater sites. Amplicon sequencing of biofilms formed on these snippets showed that the site of incubation and not the plastic material dominated the microbial community composition. From these biofilms, individual microbial strains as well as photoautotrophic consortia were isolated; these consortia consisted of heterotrophic bacteria that were apparently nourished by microalga. While biofilms formed by defined dual cultures of a microalga and an Alphaproteobacterium were not accepted by the snail P. fontinalis, a photoautotrophic consortium (Co_3) sustained growth and metabolism of this grazer. Amplicon sequencing revealed that consortium Co_3, which could be stably maintained on solid medium under photoautotrophic conditions, reproducibly formed biofilms of a defined composition on three different plastic materials and on glass surfaces. In conclusion, our study shows that the generation of domesticated photoautotrophic microbial communities is a valid novel approach for establishing laboratory ecotoxicological assays with higher environmental relevance than those based on defined microbiota
A higher index theorem on finite-volume locally symmetric spaces
No full textLet G be a connected, real semisimple Lie group. Let K < G be maximal compact, and let Γ < G be discrete and such that Γ\G has finite volume. If the real rank of G is 1 and Γ is torsion-free, then Barbasch and Moscovici obtained an index theorem for Dirac operators on the locally symmetric space Γ\G/K. We obtain a higher version of this, using an index of Dirac operators on G/K in the K-theory of an algebra on which the conjugation-invariant terms in Barbasch and Moscovici’s index theorem define continuous traces. The resulting index theorems also apply when Γ has torsion. The cases of these index theorems for traces defined by semisimple orbital integrals extend to Song and Tang’s higher
orbital integrals, and yield nonzero and computable results even when rank(G) > rank(K), or the real rank of G is larger than 1
Al-doped ZnO-Coated LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 Powder Electrodes: The Effect of a Coating Layer on The Structural and Chemical Stability of The Electrode / Electrolyte Interface
No full textLiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC-111) is one of the most popular cathode materials in Li-ion batteries. However, chemical and structural instabilities of the cathode/electrolyte interface at high charge cut-off voltages cause capacity fading. Surface modifications using metal oxides are promising candidates to suppress capacity fading. Here a systematic study on the degradation mechanism of an uncoated NMC-111 powder electrode is presented. Moreover, the effect of an Al-doped ZnO (Al:ZnO) coating layer on the structural and chemical stabilities of NMC-111 electrode cycled at high charge cut-off voltages is analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy as well as electrochemical testing. The coating is applied to commercial NMC-111 powder using a microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis method. In the case of uncoated NMC-111 electrodes, pitting corrosion due to hydrofluoric acid attacking the electrode surface, cation mixing, and an irreversible phase transformation from a trigonal layered to a rock-salt phase occurs, causing capacity fading. While, in the case of Al:ZnO – coated NMC-111 electrodes, pitting corrosion, cation mixing, and the irreversible phase transformation are mitigated. Therefore, the capacity retention and rate capability are improved as the coating layer protects the electrode surface from the direct electrolyte exposure
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Dermabacter hominis
No full text'Dermabacter hominis', a short gram-positive rod, is a part of the human skin flora, but can also cause infections (e.g., skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, abscesses, peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, and bacteremia). Only limited data are available for antimicrobial resistance rates. Although CLSI does include coryneform genera in 'Corynebacterium spp.' clinical breakpoints, they point out that only limited data are available on resistance rates. The aim of this study was to assess the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of clinical isolates of 'D. hominis' and to deduce breakpoints for disk diffusion. 'D. hominis' (n = 30) from five laboratories in Germany were tested by broth microdilution and disk diffusion method. MICs were interpreted according to current clinical breakpoints for 'Corynebacterium spp.' or pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic breakpoints (EUCAST). To deduce breakpoints for disk diffusion, MICs were correlated with inhibition zone diameters. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, rifampicin, and linezolid (100%, n = 30/30). Lower susceptibility rates were found for ampicillin (83%, n = 25/30) followed by ceftriaxone (37%, n = 11/30) and clindamycin (27%, n = 8/30). All isolates were resistant to benzylpenicillin and daptomycin. Good correlations between disk diffusion and MIC (suggested breakpoints for susceptibility in brackets) were found for ampicillin (S ≥ 10 mm), ceftriaxone (S ≥ 24 mm), clindamycin (S ≥ 19 mm), levofloxacin (I ≥ 24 mm), linezolid (S ≥ 29 mm), rifampicin (S ≥ 38 mm), and vancomycin (S ≥ 21 mm). Due to limited variances in both MIC values and inhibition zone diameters, no disk diffusion breakpoint could be deduced for gentamicin and benzylpenicillin in our dataset. 'D. hominis' has favorable susceptibility rates for vancomycin, rifampicin, and linezolid and shows correlations between MIC and disk diffusion diameter for selected antimicrobial agents. Thus, the development of clinical breakpoints for disk diffusion appears feasible