OPEN FAU Online-Publikationssystem der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
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Green signals of new ventures: investigating the impact of environmental orientation on funding and the moderating role of lead venture capitalists
No full textDrawing on signaling theory, this study investigates whether the environmental orientation of new ventures serves as an important signal related to funding outcomes. Analyzing a dataset of 2003 funding rounds completed in the U.S. during 2022, our findings reveal that the environmental orientation of a new venture positively influences pre-IPO funding outcomes. Furthermore, this effect is positively moderated by the prominence of lead venture capital investors. Our post hoc analysis offers a valuable temporal perspective and suggests that our findings generalize across both early-stage and late-stage funding rounds, but not seed funding. This study contributes to the literature on financial resource acquisition and signaling theory, and also offers valuable implications for practitioners, helping them navigate the competitive funding environment more effectively.Plain English Summary Environmental-oriented new ventures secure more funding, particularly when backed by prominent venture capital. This study analyzes the influence of new ventures’ environmental orientation on funding amounts across 2003 funding rounds in 2022. Furthermore, we investigate the reinforcement of this influence by the presence of lead investors who have either a strong environmental orientation or high prominence. Our findings indicate that the environmental orientation of a new venture positively affects the financing received, and this effect is amplified when prominent lead investors participate in the funding round. Accordingly, environmentally oriented entrepreneurs should prioritize attracting prominent lead investors, as their networks, expertise, and reputation enhance visibility and funding potential, making them more valuable than investors with solely strong environmental credentials. Additionally, entrepreneurs should adopt a stage-specific approach: while an environmental orientation is generally beneficial in early-stage and late-stage funding rounds, clearer and more credible signals may be more effective than green signals in seed funding stages.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (1041
One-year survival after critical care as a decision basis for advance care directives in general medicine: Real word data analysis of 149,144 patients
No full textProviding counsel on advance care directives is challenging for general practitioners. Counselling is done on unknown future circumstances of possible critical illness and critical care in intensive care units. Following the principles of evidence-based medicine, the physician’s task is to communicate evidence and elucidate the patient’s position on it. However, suitable evidence of chances of survival in case of critical illness is lacking. Aim of this study was to generate long-term survival rates of patients receiving critical care as evidence for general practitioners who provide counselling for patients on advance care directives. We conducted a retrospective cohort study analysing one-year survival rates of critical care using German health insurance claims data from an anonymised nationwide health claims data pool of over five million German patients. All patients over 18 years of age receiving critical care for the first time were included.Main outcome of our study were one-year survival probabilities depending on age and on acute life prolonging procedures. Procedures analysed were non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation (nMV, iMV), renal replacement therapy (RRT), their combinations (nMV + RRT, iMV + RRT), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A total of 149,144 datasets was analysed. One-year survival probability of all patients was 77.5%. Survival rates ranged from 94.5% in patients under 50 without any further acute life prolonging procedures to 16.4% in those older than 80 who received iMV + RRT. The application of at least one procedure was associated with an increased risk of death (HR 3.06, 95% CI 2.99 to 3.12) as was CPR (HR 4.22, 95% CI 4.07 to 4.37). Differences between pre- and COVID periods were modest. To enable patient’s decision-making in creating advance care directives, our results provide easily applicable external evidence for general practitioners counselling on advance care directives by providing probabilities of survival in critical care
Situations as Relational Presences
No full textWhat is a situation? For good reasons, (micro)sociological approaches focus on different aspects, elements, and perspectives. However, the polyphony can be confusing and prevent a fruitful dialog between theories and disciplines. Therefore, we aim to provide an integrative concept: drawing on phenomenological and interactionist understandings of “the situation,” we conclude that what is crucial are the emerging relations of forms of presence, leading to an understanding of situations as relational presences. To this end, we distinguish dimensions of presence, and forms of presence, and formulate a heuristic as a tool for precisely naming the constituent conditions of situations and their different levels
Stationäre Wasserstoffspeicherung in Benzyltoluol nach dem oneReactor-Konzept im 5 kW-Maßstab
No full textIm Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden die kontinuierliche Hydrierung und Dehydrierung des LOHC-Systems Benzyltoluol / Perhydrobenzyltoluol (H0-BT / H12-BT) in einem technischen Rohrbündelreaktor (Pilotmaßstab, Größenordnung 5 kW) untersucht. Ziel war es, den reaktionstechnischen Betrieb des sogenannten miniOneReactors im Wechselbetrieb von Hydrierung und Dehydrierung zu untersuchen. Das Temperaturniveau der beiden Reaktionen sollte dabei in einer ähnlichen Größenordnung liegen (Hydrierung: 260-290 °C, Dehydrierung: 260-305 °C). Als Katalysator wurde der für die Dehydrierung von LOHC-Verbindungen optimierte Elemax #102D verwendet, welcher als Schalenkatalysator ausgeführt ist und sich aus 0,3 gew. % Platin auf Aluminiumoxid zusammensetzt. Das verwendete, teilbeladene Benzyltoluol (Hx-BT) wurde im Rahmen der Versuchskampagnen mehrfach rezykliert, um sowohl die Freisetzung als auch die Speicherung von Wasserstoff aus, bzw. in dem LOHC-System zu untersuchen.
Neben den reaktionstechnischen Untersuchungen im miniOneReactor wurde im Zeitraum dieser Forschungsarbeit die Aufreinigung von technischem H0-BT vor dessen Verwendung als LOHC-Verbindung als weitere Problemstellung identifiziert. Cl-BT, welches als Nebenprodukt in der Synthese von H0-BT gebildet wird und in Spuren (Chlorgehalt <10 ppm) im technischen H0-BT enthalten ist, kann den in der LOHC-Hydrierung eingesetzten Platinkatalysator vergiften und durch Bildung von HCl den Reaktorwerkstoff schädigen. Aus diesem Grund wurde in einem vom miniOneReactor separierten Glasaufbau die sogenannte Hydrodechlorierung (HDC) untersucht, um ein Aufreinigungskonzept für die Erzeugung LOHC-fähigen Materials zu entwickeln. Die Untersuchungen wurden in einem kontinuierlich betriebenen Rieselbettreaktor unter Verwendung des kommerziell erhältlichen Nickelkatalysators NiSAT 310 RS durchgeführt.The continuous hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the LOHC system benzyltoluene / perhydrobenzyltoluene (H0-BT / H12-BT) was investigated in a technical tube bundle reactor (pilot scale, order of magnitude 5 kW). The aim was to investigate the so-called miniOneReactor in the alternating hydrogenation of Hx-BT and dehydrogenation of H12-BT. Similar temperature levels were used in the two reactions (hydrogenation: 260-290 °C, dehydrogenation: 260-305 °C). Elemax #102D was used as catalyst, as it is optimized for the dehydrogenation of LOHC compounds. It is designed as a shell catalyst and consists of 0.3 wt.% platinum on aluminium oxide. The used, partially loaded benzyltoluene mixture (Hx-BT) was recycled several times during the test campaigns in order to investigate both the release and storage of hydrogen from and in the LOHC system.
In addition to the investigations in the miniOneReactor, the purification of technical H0-BT before its use as a LOHC compound was examined. Cl-BT, which is formed as a by-product in the synthesis of H0-BT and is contained in traces (chlorine content <10 ppm) in technical H0-BT, can poison the platinum catalyst used in LOHC hydrogenation and damage the reactor material through the formation of HCl. For this reason, hydrodechlorination (HDC) was investigated in a glass setup independent from the miniOneReactor in order to develop a purification concept for the production of LOHC-tailored material. The investigations were carried out in a continuously operated trickle bed reactor using the commercially available nickel catalyst NiSAT 310 RS
Imaging modalities using magnetic nanoparticles – overview of the developments in recent years
No full textThe use of nanoparticles in tumor imaging, molecular imaging, and drug delivery has significantly expanded in the last few years. The relatively new field of “theranostics” combines their capacity for drug delivery with their potential as contrast agents. Depending on the imaging modality used, several types of nanoparticles are available, such as gold for optical imaging or superparamagnetic iron oxide for magnetic resonance imaging. This review will give a short overview of the different types of nanoparticles as well as their development and potential application in recent years. Furthermore, it describes the research on classic imaging modalities as well as on new techniques to image nanoparticles in vivo and focuses on magnetic-based imaging modalities
Revealing nanoscale plasticity of metallic nanosponges with correlative and scale-bridging 3D microscopy and modelling
No full textMetallic nanosponges are well known to exhibit distinct mechanical properties that are considered to originate from the interwoven mechanics of the nanoscale ligaments as individual units and as a network. A comprehensive understanding of the physical mechanisms behind these properties spanning over several length scales is to date lacking. Here, by employing a correlative and scale-bridging workflow combining non-destructive 3D electron and X-ray tomography, in situ mechanics and experimentally-informed real-size modelling, we reveal the atomic origins of size dependent deformation mechanisms of nanoporous gold ranging from sub-ten to hundreds of nanometers. A realistic distribution of geometries and sizes of the ligaments appears to be crucial to accurately capture the mechanical response of nanoporous gold, including deformation gradients and plasticity. Our workflow demonstrates the potential for exploring the atomistic mechanisms of material plasticity with geometrical complexity.The mechanical properties of nanoporous gold are tied to their topology and surface morphology. Here, a correlative and scale-bridging approach, combining non-destructive 3D tomography, mechanical testing and experimentally-informed modelling, reveals the origins of the size dependent deformation mechanisms.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)https://doi.org/10.13039/50110000165
A comparative evaluation of publicly available large language models in the assessment of CTG traces according to the FIGO criteria
No full textBackground Cardiotocography (CTG) remains a cornerstone in fetal monitoring, but its interpretation is subject to considerable inter- and intra-observer variability. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly large language models (LLMs), offer potential to improve diagnostic consistency and reduce clinician workload. Objectives This study aims to evaluate and compare the accuracy of various LLMs in CTG interpretation based on Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO 2015) criteria. Study design An analysis of sixty CTG traces previously classified by clinicians at the University Hospital Basel according to FIGO guidelines was conducted. In a two-run protocol, 30 normal CTG traces were initially presented as screenshots to Chat-GPT-4.0, Google Gemini, Bing Copilot, and DeepSeek. Subsequently, the LLMs that demonstrated adequate interpretation of normal CTGs were tasked to classify another 30 suspicious or pathological CTG traces. Each LLM was asked to classify each CTG trace as normal or abnormal. Results DeepSeek was unable to interpret CTGs and was excluded. Google Gemini showed poor performance (6.7%) on normal CTGs. Chat-GPT-4.0 partially succeeded in correctly classifying the provided CTG traces as normal (46.7%) or abnormal (50%). Bing Copilot accurately interpreted normal CTGs (96.6%) but failed on abnormal ones (0%). Conclusions LLMs show major limitations in the interpretation of CTG traces according to the FIGO criteria.Open access funding provided by University of BaselUniversity of Base
Analysis of Pathogens in Respiratory Tract Infections and Their Effect on Disease Severity: Retrospective Data from a Tertiary Care German Children’s Hospital
No full textTitel: Analyse der respiratorischen Erreger und ihrer Auswirkung auf die Schwere der Erkrankung: Retrospektive Daten aus einer Kinderklinik der Maximalversorgung.
Hintergrund und Ziele: Atemwegsinfektionen (RTIs) stellen eine häufige Ursache für stationäre Aufnahmen in Kinderkrankenhäusern dar, insbesondere in der Herbst- und Wintersaison. Diese können aufgrund fehlender Betten zu einem erheblichen Versorgungsengpass führen. Das Alter der Patienten und die saisonale Verteilung jedes Erregers scheinen multifaktorielle Merkmale zu sein, die den Krankheitsverlauf beeinflussen. Weitere Prädiktoren für den Schweregrad sind die Dauer des Krankenhausaufenthalts, das Vorhandensein oder Fehlen eines Sauerstoffbedarfs und die Höhe von Entzündungsmarkern.
Methoden: Für diese retrospektive Kohortenstudie wurden alle stationären Patienten unserer Kinderklinik zwischen 2021 und 2023 rekrutiert, bei denen ein nasopharyngealer Abstrich durchgeführt wurde und die eine Atemwegssymptomatik aufwiesen. Die untersuchten Parameter waren: Alter, Abstrichergebnis, Monat der Diagnose, CRP-Werte, Dauer des Krankenhausaufenthalts, Vorliegen eines Sauerstoffbedarfs und Komorbiditäten. Die Daten wurden statistisch mittels Chi-Quadrat-Test, gepaartem T-Test und Regressionsanalyse analysiert.
Ergebnisse und Beobachtungen: Der Nachweis mehr als eines respiratorischen Erregers im gleichen Abstrich, abgesehen von Kombinationen mit SARS-CoV-2, Influenza oder RS-Virus, war im Vergleich zu einer Monoinfektion mit denselben Krankheitserregern nicht mit einem längeren Krankenhausaufenthalt, höheren maximalen CRP-Werten oder einem häufigeren Sauerstoffbedarf verbunden. Im Gegensatz dazu könnte der Nachweis eines Krankheitserregers im Vergleich zu keinem Nachweis mit einem höheren Sauerstoffbedarf und höheren CRP-Werten zusammenhängen
Schlussfolgerungen: Da eine Koinfektion mit mehr als einem Virus, mit Ausnahme derjenigen mit epidemischem Potenzial, nicht mit einem schwereren Verlauf von Atemwegsinfekten verbunden war, scheint für mehrere Viren eine strikte Patientenisolierung sowie die Isolierung infizierter oder kolonisierter Patienten entbehrlich zu sein
Notch3 is an asymmetric gene and a modifier of heart looping defects in Nodal mouse mutants
No full textThe TGFβ secreted factor NODAL is a major left determinant required for the asymmetric morphogenesis of visceral organs, including the heart. Yet, when this signaling is absent, shape asymmetry, for example of the embryonic heart loop, is not fully abrogated, indicating that there are other factors regulating left–right patterning. Here, we used a tailored transcriptomic approach to screen for genes asymmetrically expressed in the field of heart progenitors. We thus identify Notch3 as a novel left-enriched gene and validate, by quantitative in situ hybridization, its transient asymmetry in the lateral plate mesoderm and node crown, overlapping with Nodal. In mutant embryos, we analyzed the regulatory hierarchy and demonstrate that Nodal in the lateral plate mesoderm amplifies Notch3 asymmetric expression. The function of Notch3 was uncovered in an allelic series of mutants. In single neonate mutants, we observe that Notch3 is required with partial penetrance for ventricle thickness, septation and aortic valve, in addition to its known role in coronary arteries. In compound mutants, we reveal that Notch3 acts as a genetic modifier of heart looping direction and shape defects in Nodal mutants. Whereas Notch3 was previously mainly associated with the CADASIL syndrome, our observations in the mouse and a human cohort support a novel role in congenital heart defects and laterality defects
Reactive deposition of Pt single-atoms on g-C3N4: effect of Pt-precursors
No full textAnchoring Pt single atoms (SAs) as co-catalysts on g-C3N4 has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the hydrogen production performance of this photocatalytic system. Particularly, by so-called reactive deposition, a maximum hydrogen evolution reaction performance can be achieved using a minimum amount of Pt loading. In this study, we explore the effects of different platinum (Pt) precursors on the reactive deposition of SAs onto g-C3N4, aiming to optimize the performance in photocatalytic hydrogen production. By examining a variety of Pt precursor types, we highlight critical parameters influencing deposition, including precursor charge, solution pH, ionic strength, and ligand properties. Our results reveal that precursors bearing anionic charges are distinctly more effective than cationic precursors for depositing highly active Pt SAs. Crucially, we find that the surface deposition reaction strongly depends on the ligand involved, with chloride-based complexes enabling more efficient Pt attachment compared to bromide-based complexes. Notably, variations in the oxidation state of platinum (Pt4+versus Pt2+) did not significantly influence deposition outcomes. Among all precursors studied, (NH4)2[PtCl6] achieved the highest catalytic activity, with optimal Pt loading (∼0.026 wt%) and superior hydrogen evolution rates surpassing the widely utilized H2[PtCl6] precursor. Furthermore, adjustments to solution conditions, such as significant pH changes due to increased ionic strength, were found to negatively impact deposition and catalytic effectiveness. These insights underscore the importance of precursor selection and solution chemistry control, providing a robust basis for the development of efficient and cost-effective single-atom photocatalysts formed by adsorption–reaction treatments.Reactive deposition of Pt SAs on g-C3N4 optimized by precursor selection and solution tuning enables minimal Pt use with superior hydrogen evolution efficiency.Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy 10.13039/501100001823Grantová Agentura České Republiky 10.13039/501100001824Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 10.13039/50110000165