OOPS - Oldenburger Online-Publikations-Server (Univ. Oldenburg)
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Spatial and Temporal Correlations in Human Cortical Dynamics: Implications for Cognition and Epilepsy Management
Full text linkPeople with epilepsy often experience cognitive impairments, which impact their quality of life. Deviations from brain criticality could explain these impairments. Brain criticality predicts that cortical network dynamics are close to a phase transition, where cognition would be optimized. Spatial and temporal correlations (SCs/TCs) are maximal at criticality and measure information integration and maintenance. This thesis examines neuronal network simulations, intracranial EEG (N=104 ), MRI (N=127), and cognitive measures to investigate SCs/TCs with cognitive performance. Results showed that SCs/TCs were perturbed by mechanisms associated with cognitive impairments, i.e., slow-wave activity, epileptic activity, and antiseizure medication. Ultimately, we found that shorter TCs and gray matter thinning were correlated with cognitive impairments, and thus, potential deviations from criticality.
Our findings support brain criticality as a framework for cognitive function and impairments
Cellular and synaptic specializations for sub-millisecond precision in the mammalian auditory brainstem
Full text linkAudition in all animals relies on delicate sound pressure variations arriving at the ears, and these sound waves are intertwined representations of the complex auditory environment. The process of auditory perception and behavior is fundamentally based on reconstructive analysis, starting at the auditory nerve and culminating in the segregation of auditory sources through the extraction of spatial, spectral, and temporal cues. This analysis is made possible by specialized structures in the auditory brainstem that accurately represent and process incoming signals, preparing them for various downstream analyses. Decades of research have provided substantial insight into the morphological and physiological adaptations of specific auditory synapses, which we present and compare in the context of their presumed functions. Here, we focus on two parallel pathways originating from the auditory nerve and converging in the midbrain, featuring several well-studied synapses across multiple nuclei (cochlear nucleus, medial nucleus of the trapezoid body, ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, and medial and lateral superior olivary nuclei). These synapses form the backbone of the high temporal precision of auditory representation, which is crucial for sound localization, speech comprehension, and speaker identification, each relying on subtle monaural or binaural cues. Finally, we highlight the similarities and differences with other brain areas that face challenges comparable to those of the auditory system
Listening With Feeling: Setting the course for an emotional marine governance
Full text linkFocusing on the case study of an environmental campaign resisting a decision made by the Irish government to grant a mechanical kelp harvesting licence in Bantry Bay, this research aims to better understand the place of emotion in marine governance. In particular, the research a) develops a methodology for researching emotion in a marine context; b) builds on a method for analysing emotion through deep listening; and c) explores various emotional connections to the oceans through this deep listening approach. Using the Listening Guide methodology, the study reveals listening as a key tool for researching emotion, shedding light on the deeply emotional nature of resource conflicts, the centrality of emotion in connecting with each other and connecting with the ocean, and the importance of reflexively listening to our own voice as researchers. This research serves as a springboard for future work that responds to the question of, ‘Whose emotions come to matter in marine governance?
Beratung bei Kindeswohlgefährdung. Eine Grounded-Theory-Studie als Beitrag zur sozialpädagogischen Nutzer*innenforschung
Full text linkDie Dissertation untersucht den Nutzen, den Nicht-Nutzen sowie die Nutzung der Beratung bei Kindeswohlgefährdung. Es wurden problemzentrierte Interviews mit Jugendlichen und Eltern durchgeführt, die eine Beratung in einer Beratungsstelle des Kinderschutzbundes bzw. der Kinderschutz-Zentren in Anspruch genommen haben. Das qualitative Datenmaterial wurde mithilfe der Grounded Theory Methodologie ausgewertet. Die entwickelte Grounded Theory verdeutlicht, dass sich die Beratung aus Sicht der Jugendlichen und Eltern insbesondere durch Anerkennungs-, Aushandlungs- und Missanerkennungsprozesse zwischen den Befragten und den Berater*innen auszeichnet
Neural mechanisms of age-related hearing loss and tinnitus: Insights from neuroimaging
Full text linkAge-related hearing loss (ARHL) is one of the most common chronic disorders in older adults and a major risk factor for chronic tinnitus. While most individuals with tinnitus show hearing loss, not all hard of hearing individuals experience tinnitus, underlining the need to dissociate both conditions when studying their neural mechanisms. This habilitation thesis investigates neural mechanisms of ARHL and chronic tinnitus using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The studies presented address neuroanatomical, task-based neural activity and resting state functional connectivity changes associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. Findings highlight distinct but overlapping neural patterns: in hearing loss, changes were found in the frontal and auditory cortices and attention networks, while tinnitus was linked to alterations in the frontal cortex, precuneus, fornix, and default mode network. Together, the results provide novel insights into shared and distinct neural mechanisms underlying ARHL and chronic tinnitus
Computation of functional diversity from long-term monitoring time series
Full text linkBiodiversity was initially concerned with the amount of species; however, its focus has shifted towards considering the influence those species and their interactions have on the functionality of ecosystems. An approach known as functional biodiversity. This new approach requires measurements of species traits, a task which is often complicated and remains underdeveloped. An innovative solution is to inferred those traits from monitoring time series, which gathered data on biomass or abundance of species. Using a method known as Diffusion maps, high-dimensional datasets are turned to a lower, more relevant dimensional space, in which species can be located and assessed according to their similarity or dissimilarity. The result is a functional diversity time series of the monitored ecosystem, and the ecological community. In this thesis, I work towards expanding the ecological applications of this method, as well as on seeking solutions for the limitations imposed by data availability
Der Umgang mit Fehlern im Unterricht an der Förderschule Emotionale und soziale Entwicklung aus Schüler*innen-Perspektive
Full text linkAusgehend von der Annahme, Fehler seien untrennbar mit Lernen verbunden, ist das Ziel der Forschungsarbeit, auf Basis kognitiv-lerntheoretisch fundierter und empirischer Erkenntnisse einen wissenschaftlichen Beitrag zum Umgang mit Fehlern im Unterricht an der Förderschule Emotionale und soziale Entwicklung zu leisten.
Datenbasis bildet die Befragung von N=279 Schüler*innen an Förderschulen mit dem Schwerpunkt Emotionale und soziale Entwicklung zur Wahrnehmung des Umgangs mit Fehlern, der Adaptivität von Fehlerreaktionen, Emotionsregulation und internalisierenden und externalisierenden Verhaltensproblemen.
Die Ergebnisse legen Zusammenhänge zwischen den Konstrukten nahe und stellen die Relevanz des Umgangs mit Fehlern im Unterricht an der Förderschule ESE für das sozial-emotionale Lernen heraus. Die Befunde werden methodenkritisch reflektiert und hinsichtlich fehlersensibler Unterrichtsgestaltung, Diagnostik, Prävention, Intervention und Lehrkräfteprofessionalisierung diskutiert
Auditory profiles: enabling big data analyses and remote hearing loss characterization
Full text linkBig data analyses in audiology can reveal patterns of hearing loss that, when linked to audiological findings and treatment recommendations, offer long-term benefits to patients. This thesis, therefore, introduces auditory profiles as a framework for big data analyses and remote hearing loss characterization. The first study presents a pipeline to generate auditory profiles from a single dataset. The second study extends this pipeline with federated learning, enabling the integration of multiple datasets and continuous updates to auditory profile knowledge. The third study adapts the matrix sentence test for smartphone-based remote self-testing. In conclusion, these methods enable classifying patients into specific auditory profiles even using a minimum set of (remotely performed) hearing tests, which can support audiological diagnostics and treatment for the population
KI-unterstützte Fabriklayoutoptimierung
Full text linkSeit den 1960er-Jahren wird an der Optimierung von Fabriklayouts geforscht. Gängige Praxis ist die iterative Neuanordnung von Fabrikeinheiten, da Algorithmen als ungeeignet zur Ermittlung realistischer Lösungen gelten. Diese Dissertation widmet sich dem Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz zur Layoutoptimierung. Ein wesentlicher Ansatzpunkt ist die simulationsbasierte Bewertung von Layouts, die sowohl einen maßgebenden als auch limitierenden Faktor darstellt. Maßgebend durch die Definition der Randbedingungen und limitierend aufgrund des Bedarfs an Rechenkapazitäten. Diese Arbeit trägt zur Forschung durch die Konzeptionierung einer KI-Architektur bei, die Layouts mit einer vergleichbaren Güte wie eine Simulation bewerten kann. Dies gelingt durch die Kombination eines faltenden neuronalen Netzwerks zur Verarbeitung beliebiger Layouts in Bildform mit einem mehrschichtigen Perzeptron zur Wissensextraktion aus tabellarischen Daten
Multi-objective blackstart of an impaired ICT-reliant renewable energy system
Full text linkBy introducing advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) into distribution grids, distributed energy resources can create island grids in the distribution system. Finding the optimal composition of an island grid is a complex optimization problem that can be solved with a Multi-Agent System (MAS). While agent-based restoration algorithms are a popular concept in the literature, the interdependencies between power and ICT systems during restoration have yet to be considered. This PhD project aims to fill this gap by developing an agent-based restoration algorithm that restores power and ICT systems in parallel. The restoration process is regarded as a multi-objective optimization problem and both the restored load and ICT should be maximized. Specifically, the effect of considering ICT restoration as a separate objective is studied by comparing a version of the algorithm with ICT and without ICT