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An obstacle problem for elastic curves: existence results
No full textWe consider an obstacle problem for elastic curves with fixed ends. We attempt to extend the graph approach provided in [8]. More precisely, we investigate nonexistence of graph solutions for special obstacles and extend the class of admissible curves in a way that an existence result can be obtained by a penalization argument
Random planar trees and the Jacobian conjecture
No full textWe develop a probabilistic approach to the celebratedJacobian conjecture, which states that any Keller map(i.e. any polynomial mapping F ∶ Cn → Cn whoseJacobian determinant is a non-zero constant) has acompositional inverse which is also a polynomial. TheJacobian conjecture may be formulated in terms of aproblem involving labellings of rooted trees; we give anew probabilistic derivation of this formulation usingmulti-type branching processes. Thereafter, we developa simple and novel approach to the Jacobian conjecturein terms of a problem involving shuffling subtrees ofd-Catalan trees, that is, planar d-ary trees. We alsoshow that, if one can construct a certain Markov chainon large d-Catalan trees which updates its value byrandomly shuffling certain nearby subtrees, and in sucha way that the stationary distribution of this chain is uni-form, then the Jacobian conjecture is true. Finally, weuse the local limit theory of large random trees to showthat the subtree shuffling conjecture is true in a certainasymptotic sense, and thereafter use our machin-ery to prove an approximate version of the Jacobianconjecture, stating that inverses of Keller maps have small power series coefficients for their high-degreeterms
Molecular diagnostics in hand dermatoses: clinical findings and health-related quality of life in a 3-year follow-up cohort study
No full textIntroduction: Hand eczema and psoriasis present overlapping clinical features, complicating diagnosis and treatment selection. Traditional diagnostic methods rely on clinical assessment, patient history, allergy testing, and histopathology. However, recent advancements in molecular diagnostics offer promising alternatives. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for optimal therapy selection, particularly in occupational dermatology, where hand eczema is a common occupational disease.This study aims to assess the effectiveness of molecular diagnostics in distinguishing hand eczema from psoriasis, analyze disease severity and chronicity, and evaluate therapeutic changes and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) over a 2-year period.
Methods: A long-term cohort study was initiated in November 2020, enrolling 287 patients with suspected occupational skin disease. Molecular classification based on gene expression (CCL27 and NOS2) was performed on skin biopsies. Data collection included physician global assessment (PGA), Quality of Life in Hand Eczema Questionnaire (QOLHEQ), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Statistical analyses employed Cohen's kappa, χ2 tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Of 272 patients assessed via molecular diagnostics, 38.9% had clinically unclear diagnoses, with over 95% of these clarified through molecular classification. Dermatological and molecular diagnoses showed low agreement. Disease severity and chronicity significantly decreased over 2 years. Use of systemic therapies increased, while overall corticosteroid usage declined. HrQoL improved significantly, with DLQI scores decreasing by 50%.
Conclusions: Molecular diagnostics significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy for hand dermatoses, leading to targeted treatment adjustments. The observed therapy shift correlated with improved disease outcomes and HrQoL. As specialized systemic treatments emerge, precise diagnostic tools will be essential for optimizing patient care and reducing the burden of occupational skin diseases
An economic scale to assess work-related extended availability
No full textModern information and communication technologies provide employees with greater flexibility, but they also blur the boundaries between work and personal life. Work-related extended availability (WREA) refers to the availability of workers for work-related matters and the availability of work tasks for workers beyond the boundary of the work domain. In the present study, we developed and validated a new instrument for assessing WREA. In Sample 1 (N = 310), we tested the initial item pool, and in Sample 2 (N = 591), we examined the nomological network of the finalized measure using data collected at two time points. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a unidimensional structure. The scale demonstrated high correlations with conceptually closely related constructs, indicating convergent validity, and lower correlations with more distantly related constructs supported discriminant validity. Furthermore, associations with self-reported real-life behaviors, such as accepting work-related calls during personal time, and incremental validity in predicting work-to-family conflict demonstrated the scale’s criterion validity. Overall, the scale offers a brief and psychometrically robust measure of WREA
Disentangling climate change adaptation: a multi-site comparison of constraints and opportunities among Indigenous Peoples and local communities
No full textGlobally, Indigenous Peoples and local communities with nature-based livelihoods, such as small-scale agriculture, pastoralism, fishing, and foraging, face increasing climate change impacts. While implementing adaptive measures is urgently needed in such contexts, various constraints hamper their adoption. To understand these constraints and identify potential adaptation opportunities, this study adopts a multi-site comparative approach. We assessed commonalities and context-specific peculiarities of adaptation determinants among ten Indigenous Peoples and local communities across the globe. Data were collected using a mixed-method approach that included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and household (n = 1,045) and individual surveys (n = 1,349).
The number of adaptive measures implemented by households is weakly correlated with the experienced severity of climate change impacts, suggesting that while cognitive factors could promote adaptation, other factors constrain it. Despite the complexity of adaptation and the relevance of context-specific adaptation determinants, we find common patterns across sites: Individuals who perceive severe climate change impacts and belong to households with low adaptation rates generally have fewer assets, lower social capital, and less access to sufficient and preferred food and freshwater sources compared to those who perceive less severe impacts and live in households with more adaptive measures implemented.
Effective adaptation planning and implementation should consider both commonalities across sites and context-specific peculiarities of adaptation constraints. Enhancing information exchange between local communities and institutions is crucial for the development of adaptation solutions across multiple scales
100644 Enhancing pollen forecasting for allergy management: a data-driven ensemble modeling approach [Abstract]
No full textTherapiezieländerung auf einer kardiologischen Intensivstation – eine retrospektive Aktenanalyse
No full textBackground
Intensive care units (ICU) are primarily focused on maximum therapy and life extension. Changes of goals-of-care in favor of quality of life and a dignified dying process remain a particular challenge.
Objectives
To analyze the implementation of changes of goal-of-care in a cardiology ICU.
Methods
Retrospectively assessed were medical records from 40 randomly selected patients who died between July 2019 and August 2021 in the cardiology ICU at University Hospital Cologne. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) software.
Results
The median age of the patients was 70.5 years; 75% were male and average length of stay was 4 days (median). Cause of death was mostly due to cardiac or pulmonary causes (30/40 medical records). Changes of goal-of-care were documented for 65% of patients; this group was generally older and had a longer stay. Changes of goal-of-care mostly occurred within the last 24 h of life (81%). Decisions were mostly made together with relatives, as patients were often no longer able to communicate (85%). Avoidance of escalation of measures was more common than de-escalation.
Conclusion
We identified two groups of patients with different challenges regarding changes of goal-of-care: (1) Patients with sudden death within 72 h, for whom changes of goal-of-care is rarely possible, making resilience in dealing with dying patients and communication with relatives crucial for the treating personnel. (2) Patients with longer stays, where changes of goal-of-care are more frequently implemented. For this group, continuous re-evaluation of goal-of-care and, in this context, medical indications and patient wishes are particularly important
High-resolution capacitance dilatometry of microscopically thin samples using a miniature dilatometer
No full textWe present a novel application of our high-resolution capacitance dilatometer, specifically engineered for the precise characterization of quantum materials. These materials, which often appear as ultrathin, platelet-shaped crystals, are known for exotic phenomena such as superconductivity, topological order, and quantum spin liquid. However, these crystals seldom reach macroscopic dimensions, making them unsuitable for conventional dilatometry techniques. By introducing a modified sample-mounting configuration, our design enables high-resolution measurements of thermal expansion and magnetostriction along in-plane crystallographic directions in samples with thicknesses well below 500 μm. Validation measurements using a Quantum Design PPMS system confirm reliable performance for a 300 μm-thick silver platelet, relatively hard ferromagnetic EuB6 single crystals down to 50 μm, and a 40 μm-thin, soft AgCrS2 single crystal. This advancement significantly broadens the applicability of capacitance dilatometry, providing a powerful platform for investigating emergent phenomena in reduced-dimensional quantum systems