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Planning and Conducting an Online Conference at the time of COVID-19: Lessons Learned from EGREPA 2021
No full textBackground: This paper describes the realisation and evaluation of the EGREPA 2021 conference, in online format. As an example, and support for future conferences, the decision process to switch during the COVID-19 pandemic from onsite to online, the conception and tools, the experiences of the organisers and the feedback of the participants are described. Methods: The CERN tool "Indico" served as the central conference management system including public homepage, submission and payment system, abstract review and decision platform, and conference material repository. Zoom, YouTube Live and Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) were utilised for keynotes and other presentation sessions, including livestreaming of pre-recorded presentations. Gather was implemented for poster sessions and individual meetings. An anonymous survey included Likert-type questions on acceptance and quality of the tools and instructions, open questions related to positive and negative issues, and ideas for the next online-conference. Results: The event was evaluated well, with mostly fluently working technical solutions. A few participants indicated problems switching from YouTube to Zoom between presentations and discussions. Opinions on pre-recordings of talks were divided. Participants required more time for socialising. Guidelines and materials were mostly rated helpful. Lessons Learned: Simplifying the livestreaming, presenter's choice between pre-recording or presenting live, more time for socialising and breaks are discussed. Tools for conducting an online conference should be introduced to the participants in advance. Indico is rated as a very helpful tool for planning and conducting an online-conference
Platelet functional abnormalities in pediatric patients with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma/Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon
No full textKaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumor of infancy that is commonly associated with a life-threatening thrombocytopenic condition, Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). Platelet CLEC-2, tumor podoplanin interaction is considered the key mechanism of platelet clearance in these patients. Here, we aimed to assess platelet functionality in such patients. Three groups of 6 to 9 children were enrolled: group A with KHE/KMP without hematologic response (HR) to therapy; group B with KHE/KMP with HR; and group C with healthy children. Platelet functionality was assessed by continuous and end point flow cytometry, low-angle light scattering analysis (LaSca), fluorescent microscopy of blood smears, and ex vivo thrombi formation. Platelet integrin activation in response to a combination of CRP (GPVI agonist) and TRAP-6 (PAR1 agonist), as well as calcium mobilization and integrin activation in response to CRP or rhodocytin (CLEC-2 agonist) alone, were significantly diminished in groups A and B. At the same time, platelet responses to ADP with or without TRAP-6 were unaltered. Thrombi formation from collagen in parallel plate flow chambers was also noticeably decreased in groups A and B. In silico analysis of these results predicted diminished amounts of CLEC-2 on the platelet surface of patients, which was further confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. In addition, we also noted a decrease in GPVI levels on platelets from group A. In KHE/KMP, platelet responses induced by CLEC-2 or GPVI activation are impaired because of the diminished number of receptors on the platelet surface. This impairment correlates with the severity of the disease and resolves as the patient recovers
Research On STEM Education in the Digital Age:Proceedings of the ROSEDA Conference
No full textSupporting education through digital technology becomes increasingly important. Especially in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, online teaching and learning has been increased massively. In these precarious times, multiple approaches have been developed to enable the delivery of online education. But also for the regular classroom setting, more and more technologies are developed and implemented in educational practice.This volume contains the papers presented at the Research On STEM Education in the Digital Age (ROSEDA) Conference, held in Porto, Portugal, in February 2023. The proceedings summarize and link theoretical consi-derations, practical experiences and ideas, and empirical research on the use of technology to enrich students’ learning. Hereby, the papers focus on the STEM subjects of Mathematics, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The ROSEDA Conference and its proceedings are part of the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership ASYMPTOTE which is co-funded by the European Union
Standard English in Trinidadian secondary schools: Accent variation and attitudes
No full textDie Studie untersucht die Produktion und Perzeption von gesprochenem Standardenglisch im Sekundarschulkontext in Trinidad. Das zugrunde liegende Ziel besteht darin, einen Beitrag zur Frage zu leisten, ob und in welchem Ausmaß sich in Trinidad ein endonormativer Standard herausbildet. Soziophonetische Variation wurde in der Sprache von 100 Lehrkräften und fortgeschrittenen Schülerinnen und Schülern auf vokalischer, konsonantischer und prosodischer Ebene analysiert und die Einstellungen zu lokalen und nicht-lokalen Akzenten des Standardenglischen unter 485 Schülerinnen und Schülern untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen vielfältige Tendenzen. Die Sprachproduktion zeigt klare und ausgeprägte endonormative Trends. Gleichzeitig zeichnet sie sich durch mehrdimensionale Normorientierungsprozesse aus, die lokale und nicht-lokale Kräfte integrieren. Die soziophonetischen Befunde lassen auch ein erhebliches Maß an systematischer Differenzierung erkennen. Die Sprachperzeption zeigt eine allgemeine Koexistenz verschiedener Standards des Englischen und keine klare Unterscheidung zwischen exo- und endonormativen Akzenten. Zusammenfassend liefert die Studie empirische Belege für Multinormativität in Produktion und Perzeption.The study investigates standard English speech production and perception in the secondary school context in Trinidad. The underlying aim is to contribute to the question of whether and to what degree an endonormative standard is emerging in Trinidad. Sociophonetic variation in the speech of 100 teachers and advanced students is analyzed at the vocalic, consonantal, and prosodic level, and attitudes toward local and non-local accents of standard English among 485 students are investigated. The results reveal multifaceted tendencies. Speech production shows clear and pronounced endonormative trends. At the same time, it is characterized by multidimensional norm orientation processes that integrate local and non-local forces. The sociophonetic findings also reveal a considerable degree of systematic differentiation. With respect to speech perception, there is a general coexistence of different standards of English and no clear-cut distinction between exo- and endonormative accents. In sum, the study provides empirical evidence of multinormativity in production and perception
Sollen Insider bevorzugt oder ausgeschlossen werden?:Should Insiders Be Preferred or Excluded?
No full textIm deutschen Sprachraum gab es Unterschiede im Umgang mit dem wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs auf der Schwelle zur Professur. In Deutschland war in der Regel ein externer Ruf nötig, in Österreich konnte man durch Pragmatisierung oder Hausruf an der eigenen Universität verbleiben und in Schweiz wurden zuerst Tenure Tracks nach angelsächsischem Vorbild eingerichtet. Inzwischen haben die Hochschulen auch in dieser Frage mehr Autonomie und sollten sich bewusst für eine Variante entscheiden.In German-speaking countries, there were differences in dealing with young academics on the threshold of a professorship. In Germany, an external job offer was usually necessary, in Austria one could remain at one’s own university through pragmatisation (conversion of a temporary position into a permanent position) or an internal job offer, and in Switzerland tenure tracks based on the Anglo-Saxon model were first set up. Universities now have more autonomy on this issue and should make a conscious decision in favour of one variant
Testicular blood supply is altered in the 41,XX^Y* Klinefelter syndrome mouse model
No full textHypergonadotropic hypogonadism is a major feature of Klinefelter syndrome (KS), assumed to be caused by testicular hormone resistance. It was previously shown that intratesticular testosterone levels in vivo and Leydig cell function in vitro seem to be normal indicating other functional constraints. We hypothesized that impaired testicular vascularization/blood flow could be a co-factor to the observed hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. We evaluated the testicular vascular system by
measuring blood vessel sizes during postnatal development and testis blood flow in adult 41,XX^Y* mice. Proportional distribution and size of blood vessels were analyzed during testicular development (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 21 dpp, 15 wpp). While ratios of the vessel/testis area were different at 15 wpp only, a lower number of smaller and mid-sized blood vessels were detected in adult KS mice. For testicular
blood flow determination we applied contrast enhanced ultrasound. Floating and reperfusion time for testicular blood flow was increased in 41,XX^Y* mice (floating: XY* 28.8 ± 1.69 s vs XX^Y* 44.6 ± 5.6 s, p = 0.0192; reperfusion XY* 19.7 ± 2.8 s vs XX^Y*: 29.9 ± 6.2 s, p = 0.0134), indicating a diminished blood supply. Our data strengthen the concept that an impaired vascularization either in conjunction or as a result of altered KS testicular architecture contributes to hormone resistance
The Dinglehopper Effect: "To Thine Own Self be True"
No full textIn den biomedizinischen Wissenschaften hat sich die Menge des Wissens
exponentiell vervielfacht. Daher ist nicht nur eine Spezialisierung, sondern vielmehr eine Subspezialisierung erforderlich. Die traditionellen Organisationsstrukturen in den deutschen Universitätskliniken sind jedoch zu zögerlich und nicht flexibel genug, um Fortschritt und Wandel anzuerkennen und Subspezialitäten entsprechend anzupassen, wie zum Beispiel im Bereich der gynäkologischen Onkologie. Wir sind häufig versucht, einen gewissen Mangel an Fachwissen zu verbergen. Es muss daher bewusst versucht werden, diesen so genannten "Dinglehopper-Effekt" zu vermeiden.In biomedical sciences, the amount of knowledge has been muliplying exponentially. Therefore, not only specialization but rather subspecialization is
essential. However, traditional organizational structures within the German university hospitals are reluctant and not flexible enough to acknowledge
progress and change and to adapt subspecialties accordingly, as for example in
the field of Gynecologic Oncology. We are frequently tempted to hide a certain lack of specialized knowledge. Therefore, a conscious effort must be made to avoid this
so-called "dinglehopper effect".Dalam ilmu biomedis, jumlah pengetahuan telah berlipat ganda secara
eksponensial. Oleh karena itu, tidak hanya spesialisasi tetapi juga subspesialisasi diperlukan. Namun, struktur organisasi tradisional di rumah sakit universitas di Jerman terlalu raguragu dan tidak cukup fleksibel untuk mengenali kemajuan dan perubahan serta mengadaptasi subspesialisasi yang sesuai, seperti misalnya di bidang onkologi ginekologi. Kita sering tergoda untuk menyembunyikan kekurangan keahlian tertentu. Oleh karena itu, upaya sadar harus dilakukan untuk menghindari apa yang disebut "efek dinglehopper" ini
Thermally assisted fabrication of nonlinear photonic structures in lithium niobate with femtosecond laser pulses
No full textEngineered domain structures play an essential role in nonlinear optics for quasi-phase-matched parametric processes. Pyroelectric field-assisted domain inversion with focused femtosecond laser pulses is a promising approach to create arbitrary two-dimensional nonlinear photonic structures in a large volume without externally applied electrical fields. We fabricate lattices of ferroelectric domains by patterning lithium niobate crystals with femtosecond laser pulses and then heating them to elevated temperatures. After cooling to room temperature, domains form below and above the laser-induced seeds. We investigate the effect of temperature and seed spacing on the number and size of inverted domains. In a temperature range of 220 °C-300 °C all domains are inverted in a two-dimensional lattice with periods of 15 µm × 6.3 µm. Smaller lattice periods result in a smaller fraction of inverted domains. Measurements with conducting, nonconducting, and short-circuited crystal surfaces reveal the influence of surface charges during the domain formation process. From the obtained domain widths and spacings, we calculate the effective nonlinear coefficient of quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation in two-dimensional nonlinear photonic structures
The stomach in health and disease: A comprehensive review of current knowledge and diagnostic approaches
No full textThe most important part of the gastrointestinal tract arguably is the stomach, as all the ingested food must pass through it. Gastric acid secretion with exclusive biological functions not only starts the process of digestion but also protects against food-borne pathogenic microorganisms as the first line of defense. Thus, the stomach is by no means simply a hollow sac of muscles, but a sophisticated organ of the endocrine system with roles in pathophysiology and immunology. The etiological agent for the most common chronic gastroduodenal pathologies including ulcers and stomach cancer is Helicobacter pylori, which may disrupt the morphology and the normal physiology of the stomach. In this literature review, recent developments concerning the stomach in disease or health are discussed including the advancement in the application of artificial intelligence-based tools in the diagnosis of early gastric cancer. We focus on topics such as stomach immunology, gastric physiology, and gastric microbiome. Additionally, the improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori-induced gastritis and its related diseases such as peptic ulcers and stomach cancer are discussed.Der bedeutendste Teil des Gastrointestinaltraktes ist wohl der Magen, da ihn alle verdaute Nahrung passieren muss. Die Ausscheidung von Magensäure mit besonderen biologischen Funktionen startet nicht nur den Vorgang der Verdauung, sondern schützt auch gegen pathogene Mikroorganismen aus der Nahrung als erste Verteidigungslinie. Daher ist der Magen keinesfalls nur ein leerer Muskelsack, sondern ein komplexes Organ des endokrinen Systems mit Rollen in Pathophysiologie und Immunologie. Das ursächliche Agens für die meisten chronischen gastroduodenalen Pathologien einschließlich Geschwüren und Magenkrebs ist Helicobacter pylori, welches die Morphologie und normale Physiologie des Magens zerstören kann. In dieser Literaturübersicht werden die neuen Entwicklungen zu Magenkrankheiten diskutiert einschließlich der Fortschritte in der Anwendung von künstlicher Intelligenz für die Diagnose von beginnendem Magenkrebs. Wir fokussieren uns auf Themen wie die Immunologie des Magens, gastrische Physiologie, und das gastrische Mikrobiome. Auch werden die Verbesserungen in Diagnosis und Behandlung von H. pylori-induzierter Gastritis und verwandter Krankheiten wie peptischen Geschwüren und Magenkrebs diskutiert