@article{HofackerNeher2017, author = {Hofacker, Andreas and Neher, Dieter}, title = {Dispersive and steady-state recombination in organic disordered semiconductors}, series = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, volume = {96}, journal = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2469-9950}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.96.245204}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Charge carrier recombination in organic disordered semiconductors is strongly influenced by the thermalization of charge carriers in the density of states (DOS). Measurements of recombination dynamics, conducted under transient or steady-state conditions, can easily be misinterpreted when a detailed understanding of the interplay of thermalization and recombination is missing. To enable adequate measurement analysis, we solve the multiple-trapping problem for recombining charge carriers and analyze it in the transient and steady excitation paradigm for different DOS distributions. We show that recombination rates measured after pulsed excitation are inherently time dependent since recombination gradually slows down as carriers relax in the DOS. When measuring the recombination order after pulsed excitation, this leads to an apparent high-order recombination at short times. As times goes on, the recombination order approaches an asymptotic value. For the Gaussian and the exponential DOS distributions, this asymptotic value equals the recombination order of the equilibrated system under steady excitation. For a more general DOS distribution, the recombination order can also depend on the carrier density, under both transient and steady-state conditions. We conclude that transient experiments can provide rich information about recombination in and out of equilibrium and the underlying DOS occupation provided that consistent modeling of the system is performed.}, language = {en} } @article{ColladoFregosoHoodShoaeeetal.2017, author = {Collado-Fregoso, Elisa and Hood, Samantha N. and Shoaee, Safa and Schr{\"o}der, Bob C. and McCulloch, Iain and Kassal, Ivan and Neher, Dieter and Durrant, James R.}, title = {Intercalated vs Nonintercalated Morphologies in Donor-Acceptor Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells: PBTTT:Fullerene Charge Generation and Recombination Revisited}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry letters}, volume = {8}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry letters}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1948-7185}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b01571}, pages = {4061 -- 4068}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In this Letter, we study the role of the donor:acceptor interface nanostructure upon charge separation and recombination in organic photovoltaic devices and blend films, using mixtures of PBTTT and two different fullerene derivatives (PC70BM and ICTA) as models for intercalated and nonintercalated morphologies, respectively. Thermodynamic simulations show that while the completely intercalated system exhibits a large free-energy barrier for charge separation, this barrier is significantly lower in the nonintercalated system and almost vanishes when energetic disorder is included in the model. Despite these differences, both femtosecond-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) and time-delayed collection field (TDCF) exhibit extensive first-order losses in both systems, suggesting that geminate pairs are the primary product of photoexcitation. In contrast, the system that comprises a combination of fully intercalated polymer:fullerene areas and fullerene-aggregated domains (1:4 PBTTT:PC70BM) is the only one that shows slow, second-order recombination of free charges, resulting in devices with an overall higher short-circuit current and fill factor. This study therefore provides a novel consideration of the role of the interfacial nanostructure and the nature of bound charges and their impact upon charge generation and recombination.}, language = {en} } @article{NikolisBenduhnHolzmuelleretal.2017, author = {Nikolis, Vasileios C. and Benduhn, Johannes and Holzmueller, Felix and Piersimoni, Fortunato and Lau, Matthias and Zeika, Olaf and Neher, Dieter and Koerner, Christian and Spoltore, Donato and Vandewal, Koen}, title = {Reducing Voltage Losses in Cascade Organic Solar Cells while Maintaining High External Quantum Efficiencies}, series = {dvanced energy materials}, volume = {7}, journal = {dvanced energy materials}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1614-6832}, doi = {10.1002/aenm.201700855}, pages = {122 -- 136}, year = {2017}, abstract = {High photon energy losses limit the open-circuit voltage (V-OC) and power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs). In this work, an optimization route is presented which increases the V-OC by reducing the interfacial area between donor (D) and acceptor (A). This optimization route concerns a cascade device architecture in which the introduction of discontinuous interlayers between alpha-sexithiophene (alpha-6T) (D) and chloroboron subnaphthalocyanine (SubNc) (A) increases the V-OC of an alpha-6T/SubNc/SubPc fullerene-free cascade OSC from 0.98 V to 1.16 V. This increase of 0.18 V is attributed solely to the suppression of nonradiative recombination at the D-A interface. By accurately measuring the optical gap (E-opt) and the energy of the charge-transfer state (E-CT) of the studied OSC, a detailed analysis of the overall voltage losses is performed. E-opt - qV(OC) losses of 0.58 eV, which are among the lowest observed for OSCs, are obtained. Most importantly, for the V-OC-optimized devices, the low-energy (700 nm) external quantum efficiency (EQE) peak remains high at 79\%, despite a minimal driving force for charge separation of less than 10 meV. This work shows that low-voltage losses can be combined with a high EQE in organic photovoltaic devices.}, language = {en} } @article{KothaBindiCotton2017, author = {Kotha, Sreeram Reddy and Bindi, Dino and Cotton, Fabrice}, title = {From Ergodic to Region- and Site-Specific Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment: Method Development and Application at European and Middle Eastern Sites}, series = {Earthquake spectra : the professional journal of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute}, volume = {33}, journal = {Earthquake spectra : the professional journal of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute}, publisher = {Earthquake Engineering Research Institute}, address = {Oakland}, issn = {8755-2930}, doi = {10.1193/081016EQS130M}, pages = {1433 -- 1453}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The increasing numbers of recordings at individual sites allows quantification of empirical linear site-response adjustment factors (delta S2S(s)) from the ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) residuals. The delta S2S(s) are then used to linearly scale the ergodic GMPE predictions to obtain site-specific ground motion predictions in a partially non-ergodic Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA). To address key statistical and conceptual issues in the current practice, we introduce a novel empirical region-and site-specific PSHA methodology wherein, (1) site-to-site variability (phi(S2S)) is first estimated as a random-variance in a mixed-effects GMPE regression, (2) delta S2S(s) at new sites with strong motion are estimated using the a priori phi(S2S), and (3) the GMPE site-specific single-site aleatory variability sigma(ss,s) is replaced with a generic site-corrected aleatory variability sigma(0). Comparison of region- and site-specific hazard curves from our method against the traditional ergodic estimates at 225 sites in Europe and Middle East shows an approximate 50\% difference in predicted ground motions over a range of hazard levels-a strong motivation to increase seismological monitoring of critical facilities and enrich regional ground motion data sets.}, language = {en} } @article{HofackerNeher2017, author = {Hofacker, Andreas and Neher, Dieter}, title = {Dispersive and steady-state recombination in organic disordered semiconductors}, series = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, volume = {96}, journal = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2469-9950}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.96.245204}, pages = {5640 -- 5649}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Charge carrier recombination in organic disordered semiconductors is strongly influenced by the thermalization of charge carriers in the density of states (DOS). Measurements of recombination dynamics, conducted under transient or steady-state conditions, can easily be misinterpreted when a detailed understanding of the interplay of thermalization and recombination is missing. To enable adequate measurement analysis, we solve the multiple-trapping problem for recombining charge carriers and analyze it in the transient and steady excitation paradigm for different DOS distributions. We show that recombination rates measured after pulsed excitation are inherently time dependent since recombination gradually slows down as carriers relax in the DOS. When measuring the recombination order after pulsed excitation, this leads to an apparent high-order recombination at short times. As times goes on, the recombination order approaches an asymptotic value. For the Gaussian and the exponential DOS distributions, this asymptotic value equals the recombination order of the equilibrated system under steady excitation. For a more general DOS distribution, the recombination order can also depend on the carrier density, under both transient and steady-state conditions. We conclude that transient experiments can provide rich information about recombination in and out of equilibrium and the underlying DOS occupation provided that consistent modeling of the system is performed.}, language = {en} } @article{KothaBindiCotton2017, author = {Kotha, Sreeram Reddy and Bindi, Dino and Cotton, Fabrice}, title = {Site-Corrected Magnitude- and Region-Dependent Correlations of Horizontal Peak Spectral Amplitudes}, series = {Earthquake spectra : the professional journal of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute}, volume = {33}, journal = {Earthquake spectra : the professional journal of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute}, publisher = {Earthquake Engineering Research Institute}, address = {Oakland}, issn = {8755-2930}, doi = {10.1193/091416EQS150M}, pages = {1415 -- 1432}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Empirical correlations of horizontal peak spectral amplitudes (PSA) are modeled using the total-residuals obtained in a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) regression. Recent GMPEs moved toward partially non-ergodic region-and site-specific predictions, while the residual correlation models remained largely ergodic. Using mixed-effects regression, we decompose the total-residuals of a pan-European GMPE into between-event, between-site, and event-and-site corrected residuals to investigate the ergodicity in empirical PSA correlations. We first observed that the between-event correlations are magnitude-dependent, partially due to the differences in source spectra, and influence of stress-drop parameter on small and large events. Next, removing the between-site residuals from within-event residuals yields the event-and-site corrected residuals which are found to be region-dependent, possibly due to the regional differences in distance-decay of short period PSAs. Using our site-corrected magnitude- and region-dependent correlations, and the between-site residuals as empirical site-specific ground motion adjustments, we compute partially non-ergodic conditional mean spectra at four well-recorded sites in Europe and Middle Eastern regions.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferHoffBittmann2017, author = {Schaefer, Laura and Hoff, Marco and Bittmann, Frank}, title = {Measuring system and method of determining the Adaptive Force}, series = {European journal of translational myology}, volume = {27}, journal = {European journal of translational myology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Unipress}, address = {Padova}, issn = {2037-7460}, doi = {10.4081/ejtm.2017.6479}, pages = {152 -- 159}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The term Adaptive Force (AF) describes the capability of adaptation of the nerve-muscle-system to externally applied forces during isometric and eccentric muscle action. This ability plays an important role in real life motions as well as in sports. The focus of this paper is on the specific measurement method of this neuromuscular action, which can be seen as innovative. A measuring system based on the use of compressed air was constructed and evaluated for this neuromuscular function. It depends on the physical conditions of the subject, at which force level it deviates from the quasi isometric position and merges into eccentric muscle action. The device enables - in contrast to the isokinetic systems - a measure of strength without forced motion. Evaluation of the scientific quality criteria of the devices was done by measurements regarding the intra- and interrater-, the test-retest-reliability and fatiguing measurements. Comparisons of the pneumatic device with a dynamometer were also done. Looking at the mechanical evaluation, the results show a high level of consistency (r²=0.94 to 0.96). The parallel test reliability delivers a very high and significant correlation (ρ=0.976; p=0.000). Including the biological system, the concordance of three different raters is very high (p=0.001, Cronbachs alpha α=0.987). The test retest with 4 subjects over five weeks speaks for the reliability of the device in showing no statistically significant differences. These evaluations indicate that the scientific evaluation criteria are fulfilled. The specific feature of this system is that an isometric position can be maintained while the externally impacting force rises. Moreover, the device can capture concentric, static and eccentric strength values. Fields of application are performance diagnostics in sports and medicine.}, language = {en} } @article{WochatzRabeWolteretal.2017, author = {Wochatz, Monique and Rabe, Sophie and Wolter, Martin and Engel, Tilman and Mueller, Steffen and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Muscle activity of upper and lower trapezius and serratus anterior during unloaded and maximal loaded shoulder flexion and extension}, series = {International Biomechanics}, volume = {4}, journal = {International Biomechanics}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/23335432.2017.1364668}, pages = {68 -- 76}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Altered scapular muscle activity is mostly described under unloaded and submaximal loaded conditions in impingement patients. However, there is no clear evidence on muscle activity with respect to movement phases under maximum load in healthy subjects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate scapular muscle activity under unloaded and maximum loaded isokinetic shoulder flexion and extension in regard to the movement phase. Fourteen adults performed unloaded (continuous passive motion [CPM]) as well as maximum loaded (concentric [CON], eccentric [ECC]) isokinetic shoulder flexion (Flex) and extension (Ext). Simultaneously, scapular muscle activity was measured by EMG. Root mean square was calculated for the whole ROM and four movement phases. Data were analyzed descriptively and by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. CPMFlex resulted in a linear increase of muscle activity for all muscles. Muscle activity during CONFlex and ECCFlex resulted in either constant activity levels or in an initial increase followed by a plateau in the second half of movement. CPMExt decreased with the progression of movement, whereas CONExt and ECCExt initially decreased and either levelled off or increased in the second half of movement. Scapular muscle activity of unloaded shoulder flexion and extension changed under maximum load showing increased activity levels and an altered pattern over the course of movement.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferBittmann2017, author = {Schaefer, Laura and Bittmann, Frank}, title = {Are there two forms of isometric muscle action?}, series = {BMC sports science, medicine \& rehabilitation}, volume = {9}, journal = {BMC sports science, medicine \& rehabilitation}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, doi = {10.1186/s13102-017-0075-z}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background In isometric muscle function, there are subjectively two different modes of performance: one can either hold isometrically - thus resist an impacting force - or push isometrically - therefore work against a stable resistance. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether or not two different isometric muscle actions - the holding vs. pushing one (HIMA vs PIMA) - can be distinguished by objective parameters. Methods Ten subjects performed two different measuring modes at 80\% of MVC realized by a special pneumatic system. During HIMA the subject had to resist the defined impacting force of the pneumatic system in an isometric position, whereby the force of the cylinder works in direction of elbow flexion against the subject. During PIMA the subject worked isometrically in direction of elbow extension against a stable position of the system. The signals of pressure, force, acceleration and mechanomyography/-tendography (MMG/MTG) of the elbow extensor (MMGtri/MTGtri) and the abdominal muscle (MMGobl) were recorded and evaluated concerning the duration of maintaining the force level (force endurance) and the characteristics of MMG-/MTG-signals. Statistical group differences comparing HIMA vs. PIMA were estimated using SPSS. Results Significant differences between HIMA and PIMA were especially apparent regarding the force endurance: During HIMA the subjects showed a decisively shorter time of stable isometric position (19 ± 8 s) in comparison with PIMA (41 ± 24 s; p = .005). In addition, during PIMA the longest isometric plateau amounted to 59.4\% of the overall duration time of isometric measuring, during HIMA it lasted 31.6\% (p = .000). The frequency of MMG/MTG did not show significant differences. The power in the frequency ranges of 8-15 Hz and 10-29 Hz was significantly higher in the MTGtri performing HIMA compared to PIMA (but not for the MMGs). The amplitude of MMG/MTG did not show any significant difference considering the whole measurement. However, looking only at the last 10\% of duration time (exhaustion), the MMGtri showed significantly higher amplitudes during PIMA. Conclusion The results suggest that under holding isometric conditions muscles exhaust earlier. That means that there are probably two forms of isometric muscle action. We hypothesize two potential reasons for faster yielding during HIMA: (1) earlier metabolic fatigue of the muscle fibers and (2) the complexity of neural control strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{HenrichJoergerKraffetal.2017, author = {Henrich, Andrea and Joerger, Markus and Kraff, Stefanie and Jaehde, Ulrich and Huisinga, Wilhelm and Kloft, Charlotte and Parra-Guillen, Zinnia Patricia}, title = {Semimechanistic Bone Marrow Exhaustion Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model for Chemotherapy-Induced Cumulative Neutropenia}, series = {Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics}, volume = {362}, journal = {Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics}, address = {Bethesda}, issn = {0022-3565}, doi = {10.1124/jpet.117.240309}, pages = {347 -- 358}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Paclitaxel is a commonly used cytotoxic anticancer drug with potentially life-threatening toxicity at therapeutic doses and high interindividual pharmacokinetic variability. Thus, drug and effect monitoring is indicated to control dose-limiting neutropenia. Joerger et al. (2016) developed a dose individualization algorithm based on a pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) model describing paclitaxel and neutrophil concentrations. Furthermore, the algorithm was prospectively compared in a clinical trial against standard dosing (Central European Society for Anticancer Drug Research Study of Paclitaxel Therapeutic Drug Monitoring; 365 patients, 720 cycles) but did not substantially improve neutropenia. This might be caused by misspecifications in the PK/PD model underlying the algorithm, especially without consideration of the observed cumulative pattern of neutropenia or the platinum-based combination therapy, both impacting neutropenia. This work aimed to externally evaluate the original PK/PD model for potential misspecifications and to refine the PK/PD model while considering the cumulative neutropenia pattern and the combination therapy. An underprediction was observed for the PK (658 samples), the PK parameters, and these parameters were re-estimated using the original estimates as prior information. Neutrophil concentrations (3274 samples) were over-predicted by the PK/PD model, especially for later treatment cycles when the cumulative pattern aggravated neutropenia. Three different modeling approaches (two from the literature and one newly developed) were investigated. The newly developed model, which implemented the bone marrow hypothesis semiphysiologically, was superior. This model further included an additive effect for toxicity of carboplatin combination therapy. Overall, a physiologically plausible PK/PD model was developed that can be used for dose adaptation simulations and prospective studies to further improve paclitaxel/ carboplatin combination therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{WichaHuisingaKloft2017, author = {Wicha, Sebastian G. and Huisinga, Wilhelm and Kloft, Charlotte}, title = {Translational pharmacometric evaluation of typical antibiotic broad-spectrum combination therapies against staphylococcus aureus exploiting in vitro information}, series = {CPT: pharmacometrics \& systems pharmacology}, volume = {6}, journal = {CPT: pharmacometrics \& systems pharmacology}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2163-8306}, doi = {10.1002/psp4.12197}, pages = {512 -- 522}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Broad-spectrum antibiotic combination therapy is frequently applied due to increasing resistance development of infective pathogens. The objective of the present study was to evaluate two common empiric broad-spectrum combination therapies consisting of either linezolid (LZD) or vancomycin (VAN) combined with meropenem (MER) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as the most frequent causative pathogen of severe infections. A semimechanistic pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model mimicking a simplified bacterial life-cycle of S. aureus was developed upon time-kill curve data to describe the effects of LZD, VAN, and MER alone and in dual combinations. The PK-PD model was successfully (i) evaluated with external data from two clinical S. aureus isolates and further drug combinations and (ii) challenged to predict common clinical PK-PD indices and breakpoints. Finally, clinical trial simulations were performed that revealed that the combination of VAN-MER might be favorable over LZD-MER due to an unfavorable antagonistic interaction between LZD and MER.}, language = {en} } @article{RaelingHanneSchroederetal.2017, author = {R{\"a}ling, Romy and Hanne, Sandra and Schr{\"o}der, Astrid and Keßler, Carla and Wartenburger, Isabell}, title = {Judging the animacy of words}, series = {Quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, volume = {70}, journal = {Quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, number = {10}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1747-0218}, doi = {10.1080/17470218.2016.1223704}, pages = {2094 -- 2104}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The age at which members of a semantic category are learned (age of acquisition), the typicality they demonstrate within their corresponding category, and the semantic domain to which they belong (living, non-living) are known to influence the speed and accuracy of lexical/semantic processing. So far, only a few studies have looked at the origin of age of acquisition and its interdependence with typicality and semantic domain within the same experimental design. Twenty adult participants performed an animacy decision task in which nouns were classified according to their semantic domain as being living or non-living. Response times were influenced by the independent main effects of each parameter: typicality, age of acquisition, semantic domain, and frequency. However, there were no interactions. The results are discussed with respect to recent models concerning the origin of age of acquisition effects.}, language = {en} } @article{EhmannZollerMinichmayretal.2017, author = {Ehmann, Lisa and Zoller, Michael and Minichmayr, Iris K. and Scharf, Christina and Maier, Barbara and Schmitt, Maximilian V. and Hartung, Niklas and Huisinga, Wilhelm and Vogeser, Michael and Frey, Lorenz and Zander, Johannes and Kloft, Charlotte}, title = {Role of renal function in risk assessment of target non-attainment after standard dosing of meropenem in critically ill patients}, series = {Critical care}, volume = {21}, journal = {Critical care}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1466-609X}, doi = {10.1186/s13054-017-1829-4}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Severe bacterial infections remain a major challenge in intensive care units because of their high prevalence and mortality. Adequate antibiotic exposure has been associated with clinical success in critically ill patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the target attainment of standard meropenem dosing in a heterogeneous critically ill population, to quantify the impact of the full renal function spectrum on meropenem exposure and target attainment, and ultimately to translate the findings into a tool for practical application. Methods: A prospective observational single-centre study was performed with critically ill patients with severe infections receiving standard dosing of meropenem. Serial blood samples were drawn over 4 study days to determine meropenem serum concentrations. Renal function was assessed by creatinine clearance according to the Cockcroft and Gault equation (CLCRCG). Variability in meropenem serum concentrations was quantified at the middle and end of each monitored dosing interval. The attainment of two pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets (100\% T->MIC, 50\% T->4xMIC) was evaluated for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 2 mg/L and 8 mg/L and standard meropenem dosing (1000 mg, 30-minute infusion, every 8 h). Furthermore, we assessed the impact of CLCRCG on meropenem concentrations and target attainment and developed a tool for risk assessment of target non-attainment. Results: Large inter-and intra-patient variability in meropenem concentrations was observed in the critically ill population (n = 48). Attainment of the target 100\% T->MIC was merely 48.4\% and 20.6\%, given MIC values of 2 mg/L and 8 mg/L, respectively, and similar for the target 50\% T->4xMIC. A hyperbolic relationship between CLCRCG (25-255 ml/minute) and meropenem serum concentrations at the end of the dosing interval (C-8h) was derived. For infections with pathogens of MIC 2 mg/L, mild renal impairment up to augmented renal function was identified as a risk factor for target non-attainment (for MIC 8 mg/L, additionally, moderate renal impairment). Conclusions: The investigated standard meropenem dosing regimen appeared to result in insufficient meropenem exposure in a considerable fraction of critically ill patients. An easy-and free-to-use tool (the MeroRisk Calculator) for assessing the risk of target non-attainment for a given renal function and MIC value was developed.}, language = {en} } @article{SchulzeKoetz2017, author = {Schulze, Nicole and Koetz, Joachim}, title = {Kinetically controlled growth of gold nanotriangles in a vesicular template phase by adding a strongly alternating polyampholyte}, series = {Journal of dispersion science and technology}, volume = {38}, journal = {Journal of dispersion science and technology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0193-2691}, doi = {10.1080/01932691.2016.1220318}, pages = {1073 -- 1078}, year = {2017}, abstract = {This paper is focused on the temperature-dependent synthesis of gold nanotriangles in a vesicular template phase, containing phosphatidylcholine and AOT, by adding the strongly alternating polyampholyte PalPhBisCarb. UV-vis absorption spectra in combination with TEM micrographs show that flat gold nanoplatelets are formed predominantly in the presence of the polyampholyte at 45°C. The formation of triangular and hexagonal nanoplatelets can be directly influenced by the kinetic approach, i.e., by varying the polyampholyte dosage rate at 45°C. Corresponding zeta potential measurements indicate that a temperature-dependent adsorption of the polyampholyte on the {111} faces will induce the symmetry breaking effect, which is responsible for the kinetically controlled hindered vertical and preferred lateral growth of the nanoplatelets.}, language = {en} } @article{JaraMunozMelnickZambranoetal.2017, author = {Jara Mu{\~n}oz, Julius and Melnick, Daniel and Zambrano, Patricio and Rietbrock, Andreas and Gonzalez, Javiera and Argandona, Boris and Strecker, Manfred}, title = {Quantifying offshore fore-arc deformation and splay-fault slip using drowned Pleistocene shorelines, Arauco Bay, Chile}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Solid earth}, volume = {122}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Solid earth}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9313}, doi = {10.1002/2016JB013339}, pages = {4529 -- 4558}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Most of the deformation associated with the seismic cycle in subduction zones occurs offshore and has been therefore difficult to quantify with direct observations at millennial timescales. Here we study millennial deformation associated with an active splay-fault system in the Arauco Bay area off south central Chile. We describe hitherto unrecognized drowned shorelines using high-resolution multibeam bathymetry, geomorphic, sedimentologic, and paleontologic observations and quantify uplift rates using a Landscape Evolution Model. Along a margin-normal profile, uplift rates are 1.3m/ka near the edge of the continental shelf, 1.5m/ka at the emerged Santa Maria Island, -0.1m/ka at the center of the Arauco Bay, and 0.3m/ka in the mainland. The bathymetry images a complex pattern of folds and faults representing the surface expression of the crustal-scale Santa Maria splay-fault system. We modeled surface deformation using two different structural scenarios: deep-reaching normal faults and deep-reaching reverse faults with shallow extensional structures. Our preferred model comprises a blind reverse fault extending from 3km depth down to the plate interface at 16km that slips at a rate between 3.0 and 3.7m/ka. If all the splay-fault slip occurs during every great megathrust earthquake, with a recurrence of similar to 150-200years, the fault would slip similar to 0.5m per event, equivalent to a magnitude similar to 6.4 earthquake. However, if the splay-fault slips only with a megathrust earthquake every similar to 1000years, the fault would slip similar to 3.7m per event, equivalent to a magnitude similar to 7.5 earthquake.}, language = {en} } @article{FondellEckertJayetal.2017, author = {Fondell, Mattis and Eckert, Sebastian and Jay, Raphael Martin and Weniger, Christian and Quevedo, Wilson and Niskanen, Johannes and Kennedy, Brian and Sorgenfrei, Nomi and Schick, Daniel and Giangrisostomi, Erika and Ovsyannikov, Ruslan and Adamczyk, Katrin and Huse, Nils and Wernet, Philippe and Mitzner, Rolf and F{\"o}hlisch, Alexander}, title = {Time-resolved soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy in transmission mode on liquids at MHz repetition rates}, series = {Structural dynamics}, volume = {4}, journal = {Structural dynamics}, publisher = {American Institute of Physics}, address = {Melville}, issn = {2329-7778}, doi = {10.1063/1.4993755}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We present a setup combining a liquid flatjet sample delivery and a MHz laser system for time-resolved soft X-ray absorption measurements of liquid samples at the high brilliance undulator beamline UE52-SGM at Bessy II yielding unprecedented statistics in this spectral range. We demonstrate that the efficient detection of transient absorption changes in transmission mode enables the identification of photoexcited species in dilute samples. With iron(II)-trisbipyridine in aqueous solution as a benchmark system, we present absorption measurements at various edges in the soft X-ray regime. In combination with the wavelength tunability of the laser system, the set-up opens up opportunities to study the photochemistry of many systems at low concentrations, relevant to materials sciences, chemistry, and biology. (C) 2017 Author(s).}, language = {en} } @article{KwamenRoessleReinhardtetal.2017, author = {Kwamen, C. and R{\"o}ssle, Matthias and Reinhardt, M. and Leitenberger, Wolfram and Zamponi, Flavio and Alexe, Marin and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Simultaneous dynamic characterization of charge and structural motion during ferroelectric switching}, series = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, volume = {96}, journal = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2469-9950}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.96.134105}, pages = {6}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Monitoring structural changes in ferroelectric thin films during electric field induced polarization switching is important for a full microscopic understanding of the coupled motion of charges, atoms, and domainwalls in ferroelectric nanostructures. We combine standard ferroelectric test sequences of switching and nonswitching electrical pulses with time-resolved x-ray diffraction to investigate the structural response of a nanoscale Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O-3 ferroelectric oxide capacitor upon charging, discharging, and polarization reversal. We observe that a nonlinear piezoelectric response of the ferroelectric layer develops on a much longer time scale than the RC time constant of the device. The complex atomic motion during the ferroelectric polarization reversal starts with a contraction of the lattice, whereas the expansive piezoelectric response sets in after considerable charge flow due to the applied voltage pulses on the electrodes of the capacitor. Our simultaneous measurements on a working device elucidate and visualize the complex interplay of charge flow and structural motion and challenges theoretical modeling.}, language = {en} } @article{SteteKoopmanBargheer2017, author = {Stete, Felix and Koopman, Wouter-Willem Adriaan and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Signatures of strong coupling on nanoparticles}, series = {ACS Photonics}, volume = {4}, journal = {ACS Photonics}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2330-4022}, doi = {10.1021/acsphotonics.7b00113}, pages = {1669 -- 1676}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In the strong coupling regime, exciton and plasmon excitations are hybridized into combined system excitations. The correct identification of the coupling regime in these systems is currently debated, from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. In this article we show that the extinction spectra may show a large peak splitting, although the energy loss encoded in the absorption spectra clearly rules out the strong coupling regime. We investigate the coupling of J-aggregate excitons to the localized surface plasmon polaritons on gold nanospheres and nanorods by fine-tuning the plasmon resonance via layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolytes. While both structures show a characteristic anticrossing in extinction and scattering experiments, the careful assessment of the systems' light absorption reveals that strong coupling of the plasmon to the exciton is not present in the nanosphere system. In a phenomenological model of two classical coupled oscillators, a Fano-like regime causes only the resonance of the light-driven oscillator to split up, while the other one still dissipates energy at its original frequency. Only in the strong-coupling limit do both oscillators split up the frequencies at which they dissipate energy, qualitatively explaining our experimental finding.}, language = {en} } @article{LomadzeKopyshevBargheeretal.2017, author = {Lomadze, Nino and Kopyshev, Alexey and Bargheer, Matias and Wollgarten, Markus and Santer, Svetlana}, title = {Mass production of polymer nano-wires filled with metal nano-particles}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-08153-0}, pages = {3759 -- 3764}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Despite the ongoing progress in nanotechnology and its applications, the development of strategies for connecting nano-scale systems to micro-or macroscale elements is hampered by the lack of structural components that have both, nano-and macroscale dimensions. The production of nano-scale wires with macroscale length is one of the most interesting challenges here. There are a lot of strategies to fabricate long nanoscopic stripes made of metals, polymers or ceramics but none is suitable for mass production of ordered and dense arrangements of wires at large numbers. In this paper, we report on a technique for producing arrays of ordered, flexible and free-standing polymer nano-wires filled with different types of nano-particles. The process utilizes the strong response of photosensitive polymer brushes to irradiation with UV-interference patterns, resulting in a substantial mass redistribution of the polymer material along with local rupturing of polymer chains. The chains can wind up in wires of nano-scale thickness and a length of up to several centimeters. When dispersing nano-particles within the film, the final arrangement is similar to a core-shell geometry with mainly nano-particles found in the core region and the polymer forming a dielectric jacket.}, language = {en} } @article{LomadzeKopyshevBargheeretal.2017, author = {Lomadze, Nino and Kopyshev, Alexey and Bargheer, Matias and Wollgarten, Markus and Santer, Svetlana}, title = {Mass production of polymer nanowires filled with metal nanoparticles}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-08153-0}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Despite the ongoing progress in nanotechnology and its applications, the development of strategies for connecting nano-scale systems to micro- or macroscale elements is hampered by the lack of structural components that have both, nano- and macroscale dimensions. The production of nano-scale wires with macroscale length is one of the most interesting challenges here. There are a lot of strategies to fabricate long nanoscopic stripes made of metals, polymers or ceramics but none is suitable for mass production of ordered and dense arrangements of wires at large numbers. In this paper, we report on a technique for producing arrays of ordered, flexible and free-standing polymer nano-wires filled with different types of nano-particles. The process utilizes the strong response of photosensitive polymer brushes to irradiation with UV-interference patterns, resulting in a substantial mass redistribution of the polymer material along with local rupturing of polymer chains. The chains can wind up in wires of nano-scale thickness and a length of up to several centimeters. When dispersing nano-particles within the film, the final arrangement is similar to a core-shell geometry with mainly nano-particles found in the core region and the polymer forming a dielectric jacket.}, language = {en} } @article{ElNagarSarhanAbouserieetal.2017, author = {El-Nagar, Gumaa A. and Sarhan, Radwan Mohamed and Abouserie, Ahed and Maticiuc, Natalia and Bargheer, Matias and Lauermann, Iver and Roth, Christina}, title = {Efficient 3D-Silver Flower-like Microstructures for Non-Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Amperometric Detection}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-11965-9}, pages = {8}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{GastSchuelerWolffetal.2017, author = {Gast, Klaus and Sch{\"u}ler, Anja and Wolff, Martin and Thalhammer, Anja and Berchtold, Harald and Nagel, Norbert and Lenherr, Gudrun and Hauck, Gerrit and Seckler, Robert}, title = {Rapid-acting and human insulins}, series = {Pharmaceutical research}, volume = {34}, journal = {Pharmaceutical research}, number = {795}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0724-8741}, doi = {10.1007/s11095-017-2233-0}, pages = {2270 -- 2286}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Comparison of the dissociation kinetics of rapid-acting insulins lispro, aspart, glulisine and human insulin under physiologically relevant conditions. Dissociation kinetics after dilution were monitored directly in terms of the average molecular mass using combined static and dynamic light scattering. Changes in tertiary structure were detected by near-UV circular dichroism. Glulisine forms compact hexamers in formulation even in the absence of Zn2+. Upon severe dilution, these rapidly dissociate into monomers in less than 10 s. In contrast, in formulations of lispro and aspart, the presence of Zn2+ and phenolic compounds is essential for formation of compact R6 hexamers. These slowly dissociate in times ranging from seconds to one hour depending on the concentration of phenolic additives. The disadvantage of the long dissociation times of lispro and aspart can be diminished by a rapid depletion of the concentration of phenolic additives independent of the insulin dilution. This is especially important in conditions similar to those after subcutaneous injection, where only minor dilution of the insulins occurs. Knowledge of the diverging dissociation mechanisms of lispro and aspart compared to glulisine will be helpful for optimizing formulation conditions of rapid-acting insulins.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerMuellerStolletal.2017, author = {M{\"u}ller, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and Fr{\"o}hlich, K. and Otto, Christoph and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Back pain prevalence in adolescent athletes}, series = {Scandinavian journal of medicine \& science in sports}, volume = {27}, journal = {Scandinavian journal of medicine \& science in sports}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0905-7188}, doi = {10.1111/sms.12664}, pages = {448 -- 454}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The research aimed to investigate back pain (BP) prevalence in a large cohort of young athletes with respect to age, gender, and sport discipline. BP (within the last 7days) was assessed with a face scale (face 1-2=no pain; face 3-5=pain) in 2116 athletes (m/f 61\%/39\%; 13.3 +/- 1.7years; 163.0 +/- 11.8cm; 52.6 +/- 13.9kg; 4.9 +/- 2.7 training years; 8.4 +/- 5.7 training h/week). Four different sports categories were devised (a: combat sports, b: game sports; c: explosive strength sport; d: endurance sport). Analysis was described descriptively, regarding age, gender, and sport. In addition, 95\% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. About 168 (8\%) athletes were allocated into the BP group. About 9\% of females and 7\% of males reported BP. Athletes, 11-13years, showed a prevalence of 2-4\%; while prevalence increased to 12-20\% in 14- to 17-year olds. Considering sport discipline, prevalence ranged from 3\% (soccer) to 14\% (canoeing). Prevalences in weight lifting, judo, wrestling, rowing, and shooting were 10\%; in boxing, soccer, handball, cycling, and horse riding, 6\%. 95\% CI ranged between 0.08-0.11. BP exists in adolescent athletes, but is uncommon and shows no gender differences. A prevalence increase after age 14 is obvious. Differentiated prevention programs in daily training routines might address sport discipline-specific BP prevalence.}, language = {en} } @article{ShainyanBelyakovSigolaevetal.2017, author = {Shainyan, Bagrat A. and Belyakov, Alexander V. and Sigolaev, Yurii F. and Khramov, Alexander N. and Kleinpeter, Erich}, title = {Molecular Structure and Conformational Analysis of 1-Phenyl-1-X-1-Silacyclohexanes (X = F, Cl) by Electron Diffraction, Low-Temperature NMR, and Quantum Chemical Calculations}, series = {The journal of organic chemistry}, volume = {82}, journal = {The journal of organic chemistry}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0022-3263}, doi = {10.1021/acs.joc.6b02538}, pages = {461 -- 470}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The molecular structure and conformational preferences of 1-phenyl-1-X-1-silacyclohexanes C5H10Si(Ph,X) (X = F (3), Cl (4)) were studied by gas-phase electron diffraction, low-temperature NMR spectroscopy, and high-level quantum chemical calculations. In the gas phase only three (3) and two (4) stable conformers differing in the axial or equatorial location of the phenyl group and the angle of rotation about the Si-C-ph bond (axi and axo denote the Ph group lying in or out of the X-Si-C-ph plane) contribute to the equilibrium. In 3 the ratio Ph-eq:Ph-axo:Ph-axi is 40(12):55(24):5 and 64:20:16 by experiment and theory, respectively. In 4 the ratio Ph-eq:Ph-axo is 79(15):21(15) and 71:29 by experiment and theory (M06-2X calculations), respectively. The gas-phase electron diffraction parameters are in good agreement with those obtained from theory at the M06-2X/aug-ccPVTZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ levels. Unlike the case for M06-2X, MP2 calculations indicate that 3-Ph-eq conformer lies 0.5 kcal/mol higher than the 3-Ph-axo, conformer. As follows from QTAIM analysis, the phenyl group is more stable when it is located in the axial position but produces destabilization of the silacyclohexane ring: By low temperature NMR spectroscopy the six-membered ring interconversion could be frozen, at 103 K and the present conformational equilibria of 3 and 4 could be determined. The ratio of the conformers is 3-Ph-eq:3-Ph-ax = (75-77):(23-25) and 4-Ph-eq:4-Ph-ax = 82:18.}, language = {en} } @article{MovahedifarModarresiAlamKleinpeteretal.2017, author = {Movahedifar, Fahimeh and Modarresi-Alam, Ali Reza and Kleinpeter, Erich and Schilde, Uwe}, title = {Dynamic H-1-NMR study of unusually high barrier to rotation about the partial C-N double bond in N,N-dimethyl carbamoyl 5-aryloxytetrazoles}, series = {Journal of molecular structure}, volume = {1133}, journal = {Journal of molecular structure}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0022-2860}, doi = {10.1016/j.molstruc.2016.12.010}, pages = {244 -- 252}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The synthesis of new N,N-dimethyl carbamoyl 5-aryloxytetrazoles have been reported. Their dynamic H-1-NMR via rotation about C-N bonds in moiety of urea group [a; CO-NMe2 and b; (2-tetrazolyl)N-CO rotations] in the solvents CDCl3 (223-333 K) and DMSO (298-363 K) is studied. Accordingly, the free energies of activation, obtained 16.5 and 16.9 kcal mol(-1) respectively, attributed to the conformational isomerization about the Me2N-C=O bond (a rotation). Moreover, a and b barrier to rotations in 5-((4-methylphenoxy)-N,N-dimethyl-2H-tetrazole-2-carboxamide (P) also were computed at level of B3LYP using 6-311++G** basis set. The optimized geometry parameters are in good agreement with X-ray structure data. The computation of energy barrier for a and b was determined 16.9 and 2.5 kcal mol(-1), respectively. The former is completely in agreement with the result obtained via dynamic NMR. X-ray structure analysis data demonstrate that just 2-acylated tetrazole was formed in the case of 5-(p-tolyloxy)-N,N-dimethyl-2H-tetrazole-2-carboxamide. X-ray data also revealed a planar trigonal orientation of the Me2N group which is coplanar to carbonyl group with the partial double-bond C-N character. It also demonstrates the synperiplanar position of C=O group with tetrazolyl ring. On average, in solution the plane containing carbonyl bond is almost perpendicular to the plane of the tetrazolyl ring (because of steric effects as confirmed by B3LY12/6-311++G**) while the plane containing Me2N group is coplanar with carbonyl bond which is in contrast with similar urea derivatives and it demonstrates the unusually high rotational energy barrier of these compounds. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{StantonBooneSotoShoenderetal.2017, author = {Stanton, Richard A. and Boone, Wesley W. and Soto-Shoender, Jose and Fletcher, Robert J. and Blaum, Niels and McCleery, Robert A.}, title = {Shrub encroachment and vertebrate diversity}, series = {Global ecology and biogeography : a journal of macroecology}, volume = {27}, journal = {Global ecology and biogeography : a journal of macroecology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1466-822X}, doi = {10.1111/geb.12675}, pages = {368 -- 379}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Aim: Across the planet, grass-dominated biomes are experiencing shrub encroachment driven by atmospheric CO2 enrichment and land-use change. By altering resource structure and availability, shrub encroachment may have important impacts on vertebrate communities. We sought to determine the magnitude and variability of these effects across climatic gradients, continents, and taxa, and to learn whether shrub thinning restores the structure of vertebrate communities. Location: Worldwide. Time period: Contemporary. Major taxa studied: Terrestrial vertebrates. Methods: We estimated relationships between percentage shrub cover and the structure of terrestrial vertebrate communities (species richness, Shannon diversity and community abundance) in experimentally thinned and unmanipulated shrub-encroached grass-dominated biomes using systematic review and meta-analyses of 43 studies published from 1978 to 2016. We modelled the effects of continent, biome, mean annual precipitation, net primary productivity and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) on the relationship between shrub cover and vertebrate community structure. Results: Species richness, Shannon diversity and total abundance had no consistent relationship with shrub encroachment and experimental thinning did not reverse encroachment effects on vertebrate communities. However, some effects of shrub encroachment on vertebrate communities differed with net primary productivity, amongst vertebrate groups, and across continents. Encroachment had negative effects on vertebrate diversity at low net primary productivity. Mammalian and herpetofaunal diversity decreased with shrub encroachment. Shrub encroachment also had negative effects on species richness and total abundance in Africa but positive effects in North America. Main conclusions: Biodiversity conservation and mitigation efforts responding to shrub encroachment should focus on low-productivity locations, on mammals and herpetofauna, and in Africa. However, targeted research in neglected regions such as central Asia and India will be needed to fill important gaps in our knowledge of shrub encroachment effects on vertebrates. Additionally, our findings provide an impetus for determining the mechanisms associated with changes in vertebrate diversity and abundance in shrub-encroached grass-dominated biomes.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinezValdesNegroLaineetal.2017, author = {Martinez-Valdes, Eduardo Andr{\´e}s and Negro, F. and Laine, C. M. and Falla, D. and Mayer, Frank and Farina, Dario}, title = {Tracking motor units longitudinally across experimental sessions with high-density surface electromyography}, series = {The Journal of Physiology}, volume = {595}, journal = {The Journal of Physiology}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0022-3751}, doi = {10.1113/JP273662}, pages = {1479 -- 1496}, year = {2017}, abstract = {A new method is proposed for tracking individual motor units (MUs) across multiple experimental sessions on different days. The technique is based on a novel decomposition approach for high-density surface electromyography and was tested with two experimental studies for reliability and sensitivity. Experiment I (reliability): ten participants performed isometric knee extensions at 10, 30, 50 and 70\% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force in three sessions, each separated by 1 week. Experiment II (sensitivity): seven participants performed 2 weeks of endurance training (cycling) and were tested pre-post intervention during isometric knee extensions at 10 and 30\% MVC. The reliability (Experiment I) and sensitivity (Experiment II) of the measured MU properties were compared for the MUs tracked across sessions, with respect to all MUs identified in each session. In Experiment I, on average 38.3\% and 40.1\% of the identified MUs could be tracked across two sessions (1 and 2 weeks apart), for the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis, respectively. Moreover, the properties of the tracked MUs were more reliable across sessions than those of the full set of identified MUs (intra-class correlation coefficients ranged between 0.63-0.99 and 0.39-0.95, respectively). In Experiment II, similar to 40\% of the MUs could be tracked before and after the training intervention and training-induced changes in MU conduction velocity had an effect size of 2.1 (tracked MUs) and 1.5 (group of all identified motor units). These results show the possibility of monitoring MU properties longitudinally to document the effect of interventions or the progression of neuromuscular disorders.}, language = {en} } @article{WahmkowCasselMayeretal.2017, author = {Wahmkow, Gunnar and Cassel, Michael and Mayer, Frank and Baur, Heiner}, title = {Effects of different medial arch support heights on rearfoot kinematics}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {3}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {Lawrence, Kan.}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0172334}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background Foot orthoses are usually assumed to be effective by optimizing mechanically dynamic rearfoot configuration. However, the effect from a foot orthosis on kinematics that has been demonstrated scientifically has only been marginal. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different heights in medial arch-supported foot orthoses on rear foot motion during gait. Methods Nineteen asymptomatic runners (36±11years, 180±5cm, 79±10kg; 41±22km/week) participated in the study. Trials were recorded at 3.1 mph (5 km/h) on a treadmill. Athletes walked barefoot and with 4 different not customized medial arch-supported foot orthoses of various arch heights (N:0 mm, M:30 mm, H:35 mm, E:40mm). Six infrared cameras and the `Oxford Foot Model´ were used to capture motion. The average stride in each condition was calculated from 50 gait cycles per condition. Eversion excursion and internal tibia rotation were analyzed. Descriptive statistics included calculating the mean ± SD and 95\% CIs. Group differences by condition were analyzed by one factor (foot orthoses) repeated measures ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results Eversion excursion revealed the lowest values for N and highest for H (B:4.6°±2.2°; 95\% CI [3.1;6.2]/N:4.0°±1.7°; [2.9;5.2]/M:5.2°±2.6°; [3.6;6.8]/H:6.2°±3.3°; [4.0;8.5]/E:5.1°±3.5°; [2.8;7.5]) (p>0.05). Range of internal tibia rotation was lowest with orthosis H and highest with E (B:13.3°±3.2°; 95\% CI [11.0;15.6]/N:14.5°±7.2°; [9.2;19.6]/M:13.8°±5.0°; [10.8;16.8]/H:12.3°±4.3°; [9.0;15.6]/E:14.9°±5.0°; [11.5;18.3]) (p>0.05). Differences between conditions were small and the intrasubject variation high. Conclusion Our results indicate that different arch support heights have no systematic effect on eversion excursion or the range of internal tibia rotation and therefore might not exert a crucial influence on rear foot alignment during gait.}, language = {en} } @article{TetznerKlieglKraheetal.2017, author = {Tetzner, Julia and Kliegl, Reinhold and Krah{\´e}, Barbara and Busching, Robert and Esser, G{\"u}nter}, title = {Developmental problems in adolescence}, series = {Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology}, volume = {53}, journal = {Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, issn = {0193-3973}, doi = {10.1016/j.appdev.2017.08.003}, pages = {40 -- 53}, year = {2017}, abstract = {This longitudinal study investigated patterns of developmental problems across depression, aggression, and academic achievement during adolescence, using two measurement points two years apart (N = 1665; age T1: M = 13.14; female = 49.6\%). Latent Profile Analyses and Latent Transition Analyses yielded four main findings: A three-type solution provided the best fit to the data: an asymptomatic type (i.e., low problem scores in all three domains), a depressed type (i.e., high scores in depression), an aggressive type (i.e., high scores in aggression). Profile types were invariant over the two data waves but differed between girls and boys, revealing gender specific patterns of comorbidity. Stabilities over time were high for the asymptomatic type and for types that represented problems in one domain, but moderate for comorbid types. Differences in demographic variables (i.e., age, socio-economic status) and individual characteristics (i.e., self-esteem, dysfunctional cognitions, cognitive capabilities) predicted profile type memberships and longitudinal transitions between types.}, language = {en} } @article{NegraChaabeneSammoudetal.2017, author = {Negra, Yassine and Chaabene, Helmi and Sammoud, Senda and Bouguezzi, Raja and Mkaouer, Bessem and Hachana, Younes and Granacher, Urs}, title = {EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN PREPUBERAL MALE SOCCER ATHLETES: THE ROLE OF SURFACE INSTABILITY}, series = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA}, volume = {31}, journal = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {1064-8011}, pages = {3295 -- 3304}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Previous studies contrasted the effects of plyometric training (PT) conducted on stable vs. unstable surfaces on components of physical fitness in child and adolescent soccer players. Depending on the training modality (stable vs. unstable), specific performance improvements were found for jump (stable PT) and balance performances (unstable PT). In an attempt to combine the effects of both training modalities, this study examined the effects of PT on stable surfaces compared with combined PT on stable and unstable surfaces on components of physical fitness in prepuberal male soccer athletes. Thirty-three boys were randomly assigned to either a PT on stable surfaces (PTS; n = 17; age = 12.1 +/- 0.5 years; height = 151.6 +/- 5.7 cm; body mass = 39.2 +/- 6.5 kg; and maturity offset = 22.3 +/- 0.5 years) or a combined PT on stable and unstable surfaces (PTC; n = 16; age = 12.2 +/- 0.6 years; height = 154.6 +/- 8.1 cm; body mass = 38.7 +/- 5.0 kg; and maturity offset = 22.2 +/- 0.6 years). Both intervention groups conducted 4 soccer-specific training sessions per week combined with either 2 PTS or PTC sessions. Before and after 8 weeks of training, proxies of muscle power (e.g., countermovement jump [CMJ], standing long jump [SLJ]), muscle strength (e.g., reactive strength index [RSI]), speed (e.g., 20-m sprint test), agility (e.g., modified Illinois change of direction test [MICODT]), static balance (e.g., stable stork bal-ance test [SSBT]), and dynamic balance (unstable stork balance test [USBT]) were tested. An analysis of covariance model was used to test between-group differences (PTS vs. PTC) at posttest using baseline outcomes as covariates. No significant between-group differences at posttest were observed for CMJ (p > 0.05, d = 0.41), SLJ (p > 0.05, d = 0.36), RSI (p > 0.05, d = 0.57), 20-m sprint test (p > 0.05, d = 0.06), MICODT (p > 0.05, d = 0.23), and SSBT (p > 0.05, d = 0.20). However, statistically significant between-group differences at posttest were noted for the USBT (p < 0.01, d = 1.49) in favor of the PTC group. For most physical fitness tests (except RSI), significant pre-to-post improvements were observed for both groups (p < 0.01, d = 0.55-3.96). Eight weeks of PTS or PTC resulted in similar performance improvements in components of physical fitness except for dynamic balance. From a performance-enhancing perspective, PTC is recommended for pediatric strength and conditioning coaches because it produced comparable training effects as PTS on proxies of muscle power, muscle strength, speed, agility, static balance, and additional effects on dynamic balance.}, language = {en} } @article{EichlerRabeSalzwedeletal.2017, author = {Eichler, Sarah and Rabe, Sophie and Salzwedel, Annett and Mueller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and Tilgner, Nina and John, Michael and Wegscheider, Karl and Mayer, Frank and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {Effectiveness of an interactive telerehabilitation system with home-based exercise training in patients after total hip or knee replacement: study protocol for a multicenter, superiority, no-blinded randomized controlled trial}, series = {Trials}, volume = {18}, journal = {Trials}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1745-6215}, doi = {10.1186/s13063-017-2173-3}, pages = {7}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: Total hip or knee replacement is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures. Physical rehabilitation following total hip or knee replacement is an essential part of the therapy to improve functional outcomes and quality of life. After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, a subsequent postoperative exercise therapy is needed to maintain functional mobility. Telerehabilitation may be a potential innovative treatment approach. We aim to investigate the superiority of an interactive telerehabilitation intervention for patients after total hip or knee replacement, in comparison to usual care, regarding physical performance, functional mobility, quality of life and pain. Methods/design: This is an open, randomized controlled, multicenter superiority study with two prospective arms. One hundred and ten eligible and consenting participants with total knee or hip replacement will be recruited at admission to subsequent inpatient rehabilitation. After comprehensive, 3-week, inpatient rehabilitation, the intervention group performs a 3-month, interactive, home-based exercise training with a telerehabilitation system. For this purpose, the physiotherapist creates an individual training plan out of 38 different strength and balance exercises which were implemented in the system. Data about the quality and frequency of training are transmitted to the physiotherapist for further adjustment. Communication between patient and physiotherapist is possible with the system. The control group receives voluntary, usual aftercare programs. Baseline assessments are investigated after discharge from rehabilitation; final assessments 3 months later. The primary outcome is the difference in improvement between intervention and control group in 6-minute walk distance after 3 months. Secondary outcomes include differences in the Timed Up and Go Test, the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test, the Stair Ascend Test, the Short-Form 36, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and postural control as well as gait and kinematic parameters of the lower limbs. Baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance models will be used to test for group differences in the primary and secondary endpoints. Discussion: We expect the intervention group to benefit from the interactive, home-based exercise training in many respects represented by the study endpoints. If successful, this approach could be used to enhance the access to aftercare programs, especially in structurally weak areas.}, language = {en} } @article{EichlerRabeSalzwedeletal.2017, author = {Eichler, Sarah and Rabe, Sophie and Salzwedel, Annett and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and Tilgner, Nina and John, Michael and Wegschneider, Karl and Mayer, Frank and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {Effectiveness of an interactive telerehabilitation system with home-based exercise training in patients after total hip or knee replacement}, series = {Trials}, volume = {18}, journal = {Trials}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1745-6215}, doi = {10.1186/s13063-017-2173-3}, pages = {1 -- 7}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background Total hip or knee replacement is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures. Physical rehabilitation following total hip or knee replacement is an essential part of the therapy to improve functional outcomes and quality of life. After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, a subsequent postoperative exercise therapy is needed to maintain functional mobility. Telerehabilitation may be a potential innovative treatment approach. We aim to investigate the superiority of an interactive telerehabilitation intervention for patients after total hip or knee replacement, in comparison to usual care, regarding physical performance, functional mobility, quality of life and pain. Methods/design This is an open, randomized controlled, multicenter superiority study with two prospective arms. One hundred and ten eligible and consenting participants with total knee or hip replacement will be recruited at admission to subsequent inpatient rehabilitation. After comprehensive, 3-week, inpatient rehabilitation, the intervention group performs a 3-month, interactive, home-based exercise training with a telerehabilitation system. For this purpose, the physiotherapist creates an individual training plan out of 38 different strength and balance exercises which were implemented in the system. Data about the quality and frequency of training are transmitted to the physiotherapist for further adjustment. Communication between patient and physiotherapist is possible with the system. The control group receives voluntary, usual aftercare programs. Baseline assessments are investigated after discharge from rehabilitation; final assessments 3 months later. The primary outcome is the difference in improvement between intervention and control group in 6-minute walk distance after 3 months. Secondary outcomes include differences in the Timed Up and Go Test, the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test, the Stair Ascend Test, the Short-Form 36, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and postural control as well as gait and kinematic parameters of the lower limbs. Baseline-adjusted analysis of covariance models will be used to test for group differences in the primary and secondary endpoints. Discussion We expect the intervention group to benefit from the interactive, home-based exercise training in many respects represented by the study endpoints. If successful, this approach could be used to enhance the access to aftercare programs, especially in structurally weak areas.}, language = {en} } @article{EngelMuellerKopinskietal.2017, author = {Engel, Tilman and Mueller, Juliane and Kopinski, Stephan and Reschke, Antje and Mueller, Steffen and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Unexpected walking perturbations: Reliability and validity of a new treadmill protocol to provoke muscular reflex activities at lower extremities and the trunk}, series = {Journal of biomechanics}, volume = {55}, journal = {Journal of biomechanics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0021-9290}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.02.026}, pages = {152 -- 155}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Instrumented treadmills offer the potential to generate standardized walking perturbations, which are particularly rapid and powerful. However, technical requirements to release adequate perturbations regarding timing, duration and amplitude are demanding. This study investigated the test-retest reliability and validity of a new treadmill perturbation protocol releasing rapid and unexpected belt perturbations to provoke muscular reflex responses at lower extremities and the trunk. Fourteen healthy participants underwent two identical treadmill walking protocols, consisting of 10 superimposed one-sided belt perturbations (100 ms duration; 2 m/s amplitude), triggered by a plantar pressure insole 200 ms after heel contact. Delay, duration and amplitude of applied perturbations were recorded by 3D-motion capture. Muscular reflex responses (within 200 ms) were measured at lower extremities and the trunk (10-lead EMG). Data was analyzed descriptively (mean +/- SD). Reliability was analyzed using test-retest variability (TRV\%) and limits of agreement (LoA, bias +/- 1.96*SD). Perturbation delay was 202 14 ms, duration was 102 +/- 4 ms and amplitude was 2.1 +/- 0.01 m/s. TRV for perturbation delay, duration and amplitude ranged from 5.0\% to 5.7\%. LoA reached 3 +/- 36 ms for delay, 2 +/- 13 ms for duration and 0.0 +/- 0.3 m/s for amplitude. EMG amplitudes following perturbations ranged between 106 +/- 97\% and 909 +/- 979\% of unperturbed gait and EMG latencies between 82 +/- 14 ms and 106 +/- 16 ms. Minor differences between preset and observed perturbation characteristics and results of test-retest analysis prove a high validity with excellent reliability of the setup. Therefore, the protocol tested can be recommended to provoke muscular reflex responses at lower extremities and the trunk in perturbed walking. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerStollCasseletal.2017, author = {M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and Cassel, Michael and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Trunk Muscle Activity during Drop Jump Performance in Adolescent Athletes with Back Pain}, series = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2017.00274}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In the context of back pain, great emphasis has been placed on the importance of trunk stability, especially in situations requiring compensation of repetitive, intense loading induced during high-performance activities, e.g., jumping or landing. This study aims to evaluate trunk muscle activity during drop jump in adolescent athletes with back pain (BP) compared to athletes without back pain (NBP). Eleven adolescent athletes suffering back pain (BP: m/f: n = 4/7; 15.9 ± 1.3 y; 176 ± 11 cm; 68 ± 11 kg; 12.4 ± 10.5 h/we training) and 11 matched athletes without back pain (NBP: m/f: n = 4/7; 15.5 ± 1.3 y; 174 ± 7 cm; 67 ± 8 kg; 14.9 ± 9.5 h/we training) were evaluated. Subjects conducted 3 drop jumps onto a force plate (ground reaction force). Bilateral 12-lead SEMG (surface Electromyography) was applied to assess trunk muscle activity. Ground contact time [ms], maximum vertical jump force [N], jump time [ms] and the jump performance index [m/s] were calculated for drop jumps. SEMG amplitudes (RMS: root mean square [\%]) for all 12 single muscles were normalized to MIVC (maximum isometric voluntary contraction) and analyzed in 4 time windows (100 ms pre- and 200 ms post-initial ground contact, 100 ms pre- and 200 ms post-landing) as outcome variables. In addition, muscles were grouped and analyzed in ventral and dorsal muscles, as well as straight and transverse trunk muscles. Drop jump ground reaction force variables did not differ between NBP and BP (p > 0.05). Mm obliquus externus and internus abdominis presented higher SEMG amplitudes (1.3-1.9-fold) for BP (p < 0.05). Mm rectus abdominis, erector spinae thoracic/lumbar and latissimus dorsi did not differ (p > 0.05). The muscle group analysis over the whole jumping cycle showed statistically significantly higher SEMG amplitudes for BP in the ventral (p = 0.031) and transverse muscles (p = 0.020) compared to NBP. Higher activity of transverse, but not straight, trunk muscles might indicate a specific compensation strategy to support trunk stability in athletes with back pain during drop jumps. Therefore, exercises favoring the transverse trunk muscles could be recommended for back pain treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{CasselIntziegianniRischetal.2017, author = {Cassel, Michael and Intziegianni, Konstantina and Risch, Lucie and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Engel, Tilman and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Physiological Tendon Thickness Adaptation in Adolescent Elite Athletes}, series = {Frontiers in physiology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in physiology}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-042X}, doi = {10.3389/fphys.2017.00795}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Increased Achilles (AT) and Patellar tendon (PT) thickness in adolescent athletes compared to non-athletes could be shown. However, it is unclear, if changes are of pathological or physiological origin due to training. The aim of this study was to determine physiological AT and PT thickness adaptation in adolescent elite athletes compared to non-athletes, considering sex and sport. In a longitudinal study design with two measurement days (M1/M2) within an interval of 3.2 ± 0.8 years, 131 healthy adolescent elite athletes (m/f: 90/41) out of 13 different sports and 24 recreationally active controls (m/f: 6/18) were included. Both ATs and PTs were measured at standardized reference points. Athletes were divided into 4 sport categories [ball (B), combat (C), endurance (E) and explosive strength sports (S)]. Descriptive analysis (mean ± SD) and statistical testing for group differences was performed (α = 0.05). AT thickness did not differ significantly between measurement days, neither in athletes (5.6 ± 0.7 mm/5.6 ± 0.7 mm) nor in controls (4.8 ± 0.4 mm/4.9 ± 0.5 mm, p > 0.05). For PTs, athletes presented increased thickness at M2 (M1: 3.5 ± 0.5 mm, M2: 3.8 ± 0.5 mm, p < 0.001). In general, males had thicker ATs and PTs than females (p < 0.05). Considering sex and sports, only male athletes from B, C, and S showed significant higher PT-thickness at M2 compared to controls (p ≤ 0.01). Sport-specific adaptation regarding tendon thickness in adolescent elite athletes can be detected in PTs among male athletes participating in certain sports with high repetitive jumping and strength components. Sonographic microstructural analysis might provide an enhanced insight into tendon material properties enabling the differentiation of sex and influence of different sports.}, language = {en} } @article{KleinpeterKoch2017, author = {Kleinpeter, Erich and Koch, Andreas}, title = {Identification of mesomeric substructures by through-space NMR shieldings (TSNMRS). Trimethine cyanine/merocyanine-like or aromatic pi-electron delocalization?}, series = {Tetrahedron}, volume = {73}, journal = {Tetrahedron}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0040-4020}, doi = {10.1016/j.tet.2017.05.062}, pages = {4265 -- 4274}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The spatial magnetic properties, through-space NMR shieldings (TSNMRS), of amino-substituted heteraromatic six-membered ring systems such as pyrylium/thiopyrylium analogues have been calculated using the GIAO perturbation method employing the nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) concept and visualized as iso-chemical-shielding surfaces (ICSS) of various size and direction. The TSNMRS values were employed to quantify and visualize the existing aromaticity of the studied compounds. Due to strong conjugation of six-membered ring pi-electrons and lone pairs of the exo-cyclic amino substituents (restricted rotation about partial C,N double bonds) the interplay of still aromatic and already dominating trimethine cyanine/merocyanine-like substructures can be estimated. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinezValdesFallaNegroetal.2017, author = {Martinez-Valdes, Eduardo Andr{\´e}s and Falla, Deborah and Negro, Francesco and Mayer, Frank and Farina, Dario}, title = {Differential Motor Unit Changes after Endurance or High-Intensity Interval Training}, series = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, volume = {49}, journal = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0195-9131}, doi = {10.1249/MSS.0000000000001209}, pages = {1126 -- 1136}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Purpose Using a novel technique of high-density surface EMG decomposition and motor unit (MU) tracking, we compared changes in the properties of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis MU after endurance (END) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods Sixteen men were assigned to the END or the HIIT group (n = 8 each) and performed six training sessions for 14 d. Each session consisted of 8-12 x 60-s intervals at 100\% peak power output separated by 75 s of recovery (HIIT) or 90-120 min continuous cycling at similar to 65\% VO2peak (END). Pre- and postintervention, participants performed 1) incremental cycling to determine VO2peak and peak power output and 2) maximal, submaximal (10\%, 30\%, 50\%, and 70\% maximum voluntary contraction [MVC]), and sustained (until task failure at 30\% MVC) isometric knee extensions while high-density surface EMG signals were recorded from the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis. EMG signals were decomposed (submaximal contractions) into individual MU by convolutive blind source separation. Finally, MU were tracked across sessions by semiblind source separation. Results After training, END and HIIT improved VO2peak similarly (by 5.0\% and 6.7\%, respectively). The HIIT group showed enhanced maximal knee extension torque by similar to 7\% (P = 0.02) and was accompanied by an increase in discharge rate for high-threshold MU (50\% knee extension MVC) (P < 0.05). By contrast, the END group increased their time to task failure by similar to 17\% but showed no change in MU discharge rates (P > 0.05). Conclusions HIIT and END induce different adjustments in MU discharge rate despite similar improvements in cardiopulmonary fitness. Moreover, the changes induced by HIIT are specific for high-threshold MU. For the first time, we show that HIIT and END induce specific neuromuscular adaptations, possibly related to differences in exercise load intensity and training volume.}, language = {en} } @article{WochatzRabeWolteretal.2017, author = {Wochatz, Monique and Rabe, Sophie and Wolter, Martin and Engel, Tilman and Mueller, Steffen and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Reproducibility of scapular muscle activity in isokinetic shoulder flexion and extension}, series = {Journal of electromyography and kinesiology}, volume = {34}, journal = {Journal of electromyography and kinesiology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1050-6411}, doi = {10.1016/j.jelekin.2017.04.006}, pages = {86 -- 92}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Repetitive overhead movements have been identified as a main risk factor to develop shoulder complaints with scapular muscle activity being altered. Reliable assessment of muscle activity is essential to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the intra-and inter-session reliability of scapular muscle activity during maximal isokinetic shoulder flexion and extension. Eleven asymptomatic adults performed maximum effort isokinetic shoulder flexion and extension (concentric and eccentric at 60 degrees/s) in a test-retest design. Muscle activity of the upper and lower trapezius and serratus anterior was assessed by sEMG. Root Mean Square was calculated for whole ROM and single movement phases of absolute and normalized muscle activity. Absolute (Bland-Altman analysis (Bias, LoA), Minimal detectable change (MDC)) and relative reliability parameters (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV)/test-retest variability (TRV)) were utilized for the evaluation of reproducibility. Intra-session reliability revealed ICCs between 0.56 and 0.98, averaged CVs of 18\% and average MDCs of 81 mV. Inter-session reliability resulted in ICCs between 0.13 and 0.93, averaged TRVs of 21\%, average MDCs of 15\% and systematic and random error between -8 +/- 60\% and 12 +/- 36\%. Scapular muscle activity assessed in overhead movements can be measured reliably under maximum load conditions, though variability is dependent on the movement phase. Measurement variability does not exceed magnitudes of altered scapular muscle activities as reported in previous studies. Therefore, maximum load application is a promising approach for the evaluation of changes in scapular control related to pathologies. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{ShainyanKirpichenkoKleinpeter2017, author = {Shainyan, Bagrat A. and Kirpichenko, Svetlana V. and Kleinpeter, Erich}, title = {Conformational Preferences of the Phenyl Group in 1-Phenyl-1-X-1-silacyclo-hexanes (X = MeO, HO) and 3-Phenyl-3-X-3-silatetrahydropyrans (X = HO, H) by Low Temperature C-13 NMR Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations}, series = {The journal of organic chemistry}, volume = {82}, journal = {The journal of organic chemistry}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0022-3263}, doi = {10.1021/acs.joc.7b02505}, pages = {13414 -- 13422}, year = {2017}, abstract = {New Si-phenyl-substituted silacyclohexanes and 3-silatetrahydropyrans have been synthesized and studied with respect to the conformational equilibria of the heterosix-membered ring by low temperature C-13 NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. For 1-methoxy-1-phenylsilacyclohexane 1 and 3-phenyl-3-silatetrahydropyran 4 the conformational equilibria could be frozen and assigned. The Ph-ax reversible arrow Ph-eq equilibrium constants at 103 K are 2.21 for 1 and 4.59 for 4. In complete agreement with former studies of similar silicon compounds, molecules 1 and 4 prefer to adopt the Pheq conformation. The conformational equilibria of 1-hydroxy-1-phenylsilacydohexane 2 and 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-3-silatetrahydropyran 3 could not be frozen at 100 K and proved to be heavily one-sided (if not anancomeric). Obviously, there is a general trend of predominance of Phax conformer in the gas phase and of Pheq in solution. For the isolated molecules of silanols 2 and 3, calculations allowed to explain the axial predominance of the phenyl group by a larger polarization of the Si-Ph than of the Si-O bond in the Phax conformer and additional destabilization of 3-Ph-eq conformer by repulsion of unidirectional dipoles of the endocyclic oxygen lone pair and of the highly polar axial Si-O bond.}, language = {en} } @article{KleinpeterWernerLinker2017, author = {Kleinpeter, Erich and Werner, Peter and Linker, Torsten}, title = {Synthesis and NMR spectroscopic conformational analysis of benzoic acid esters of mono- and 1,4-dihydroxycyclohexane, 4-hydroxycyclohexanone and the -ene analogue - The more polar the molecule the more stable the axial conformer}, series = {Tetrahedron}, volume = {73}, journal = {Tetrahedron}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0040-4020}, doi = {10.1016/j.tet.2017.04.029}, pages = {3801 -- 3809}, year = {2017}, abstract = {para-Substituted benzoic acid esters of cyclohexanol, 1,4-dihydroxycyclohexane, 4-hydroxy-cyclohexanone and of the corresponding exo-methylene derivative were synthesized and the conformational equilibria of the cyclohexane skeleton studied by low temperature H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. The geometry optimized structures of the axial/equatorial chair conformers were computed at the DFT level of theory. Only one preferred conformation of the ester group was obtained for both the axial and the equatorial conformer, respectively. The content of the axial conformer increases with growing polarity of the 6-membered ring moiety; hereby, in addition, the effect of sp(2) hybridization/polarity of C(4)= O/C(4)= CH2 on the present conformational equilibria is critically evaluated. Another dynamic process could be studied, for the first time in this kind of compounds. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{KleinpeterHeydenreichKochetal.2017, author = {Kleinpeter, Erich and Heydenreich, Matthias and Koch, Andreas and Krtitschka, Angela and Kr{\"u}ger, Tobias and Linker, Torsten}, title = {NMR spectroscopic conformational analysis of 4-methylene-cyclohexyl pivalateThe effect of sp(2) hybridization}, series = {Magnetic resonance in chemistry}, volume = {55}, journal = {Magnetic resonance in chemistry}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0749-1581}, doi = {10.1002/mrc.4630}, pages = {1073 -- 1078}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The conformational equilibrium of the axial/equatorial conformers of 4-methylene-cyclohexyl pivalate is studied by dynamic NMR spectroscopy in a methylene chloride/freon mixture. At 153K, the ring interconversion gets slow on the nuclear magnetic resonance timescale, the conformational equilibrium (-G degrees) can be examined, and the barrier to ring interconversion (G(\#)) can be determined. The structural influence of sp(2) hybridization on both G degrees and G(\#) of the cyclohexyl moiety can be quantified.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerEngelMuelleretal.2017, author = {M{\"u}ller, Juliane and Engel, Tilman and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and Baur, Heiner and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Effects of sudden walking perturbations on neuromuscular reflex activity and three-dimensional motion of the trunk in healthy controls and back pain symptomatic subjects}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {12}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {3}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {Lawrence, Kan.}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0174034}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background Back pain patients (BPP) show delayed muscle onset, increased co-contractions, and variability as response to quasi-static sudden trunk loading in comparison to healthy controls (H). However, it is unclear whether these results can validly be transferred to suddenly applied walking perturbations, an automated but more functional and complex movement pattern. There is an evident need to develop research-based strategies for the rehabilitation of back pain. Therefore, the investigation of differences in trunk stability between H and BPP in functional movements is of primary interest in order to define suitable intervention regimes. The purpose of this study was to analyse neuromuscular reflex activity as well as three-dimensional trunk kinematics between H and BPP during walking perturbations. Methods Eighty H (31m/49f;29±9yrs;174±10cm;71±13kg) and 14 BPP (6m/8f;30±8yrs;171±10cm;67±14kg) walked (1m/s) on a split-belt treadmill while 15 right-sided perturbations (belt decelerating, 40m/s2, 50ms duration; 200ms after heel contact) were randomly applied. Trunk muscle activity was assessed using a 12-lead EMG set-up. Trunk kinematics were measured using a 3-segment-model consisting of 12 markers (upper thoracic (UTA), lower thoracic (LTA), lumbar area (LA)). EMG-RMS ([\%],0-200ms after perturbation) was calculated and normalized to the RMS of unperturbed gait. Latency (TON;ms) and time to maximum activity (TMAX;ms) were analysed. Total motion amplitude (ROM;[°]) and mean angle (Amean;[°]) for extension-flexion, lateral flexion and rotation were calculated (whole stride cycle; 0-200ms after perturbation) for each of the three segments during unperturbed and perturbed gait. For ROM only, perturbed was normalized to unperturbed step [\%] for the whole stride as well as the 200ms after perturbation. Data were analysed descriptively followed by a student´s t-test to account for group differences. Co-contraction was analyzed between ventral and dorsal muscles (V:R) as well as side right:side left ratio (Sright:Sleft). The coefficient of variation (CV;\%) was calculated (EMG-RMS;ROM) to evaluate variability between the 15 perturbations for all groups. With respect to unequal distribution of participants to groups, an additional matched-group analysis was conducted. Fourteen healthy controls out of group H were sex-, age- and anthropometrically matched (group Hmatched) to the BPP. Results No group differences were observed for EMG-RMS or CV analysis (EMG/ROM) (p>0.025). Co-contraction analysis revealed no differences for V:R and Srigth:Sleft between the groups (p>0.025). BPP showed an increased TON and TMAX, being significant for Mm. rectus abdominus (p = 0.019) and erector spinae T9/L3 (p = 0.005/p = 0.015). ROM analysis over the unperturbed stride cycle revealed no differences between groups (p>0.025). Normalization of perturbed to unperturbed step lead to significant differences for the lumbar segment (LA) in lateral flexion with BPP showing higher normalized ROM compared to Hmatched (p = 0.02). BPP showed a significant higher flexed posture (UTA (p = 0.02); LTA (p = 0.004)) during normal walking (Amean). Trunk posture (Amean) during perturbation showed higher trunk extension values in LTA segments for H/Hmatched compared to BPP (p = 0.003). Matched group (BPP vs. Hmatched) analysis did not show any systematic changes of all results between groups. Conclusion BPP present impaired muscle response times and trunk posture, especially in the sagittal and transversal planes, compared to H. This could indicate reduced trunk stability and higher loading during gait perturbations.}, language = {en} } @article{BohlkenJacobSchaumetal.2017, author = {Bohlken, Jens and Jacob, Louis and Schaum, Peter and Rapp, Michael A. and Kostev, Karel}, title = {Hip fracture risk in patients with dementia in German primary care practices}, series = {Dementia}, volume = {16}, journal = {Dementia}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-3012}, doi = {10.1177/1471301215621854}, pages = {853 -- 864}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The aim was to analyze the risk of hip fracture in German primary care patients with dementia. This study included patients aged 65-90 from 1072 primary care practices who were first diagnosed with dementia between 2010 and 2013. Controls were matched (1:1) to cases for age, sex, and type of health insurance. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of hip fracture during the three-year follow-up period. A total of 53,156 dementia patients and 53,156 controls were included. A total of 5.3\% of patients and 0.7\% of controls displayed hip fracture after three years. Hip fracture occurred more frequently in dementia subjects living in nursing homes than in those living at home (9.2\% versus 4.3\%). Dementia, residence in nursing homes, and osteoporosis were risk factors for fracture development. Antidementia, antipsychotic, and antidepressant drugs generally had no significant impact on hip fracture risk when prescribed for less than six months. Dementia increased hip fracture risk in German primary care practices.}, language = {en} } @article{StelzelSchauenburgRappetal.2017, author = {Stelzel, Christine and Schauenburg, Gesche and Rapp, Michael A. and Heinzel, Stephan and Granacher, Urs}, title = {Age-Related Interference between the Selection of Input-Output Modality Mappings and Postural Control}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00613}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Age-related decline in executive functions and postural control due to degenerative processes in the central nervous system have been related to increased fall-risk in old age. Many studies have shown cognitive-postural dual-task interference in old adults, but research on the role of specific executive functions in this context has just begun. In this study, we addressed the question whether postural control is impaired depending on the coordination of concurrent response-selection processes related to the compatibility of input and output modality mappings as compared to impairments related to working-memory load in the comparison of cognitive dual and single tasks. Specifically, we measured total center of pressure (CoP) displacements in healthy female participants aged 19-30 and 66-84 years while they performed different versions of a spatial one-back working memory task during semi-tandem stance on an unstable surface (i.e., balance pad) while standing on a force plate. The specific working-memory tasks comprised: (i) modality compatible single tasks (i.e., visual-manual or auditory-vocal tasks), (ii) modality compatible dual tasks (i.e., visual-manual and auditory-vocal tasks), (iii) modality incompatible single tasks (i.e., visual-vocal or auditory-manual tasks), and (iv) modality incompatible dual tasks (i.e., visual-vocal and auditory-manual tasks). In addition, participants performed the same tasks while sitting. As expected from previous research, old adults showed generally impaired performance under high working-memory load (i.e., dual vs. single one-back task). In addition, modality compatibility affected one-back performance in dual-task but not in single-task conditions with strikingly pronounced impairments in old adults. Notably, the modality incompatible dual task also resulted in a selective increase in total CoP displacements compared to the modality compatible dual task in the old but not in the young participants. These results suggest that in addition to effects of working-memory load, processes related to simultaneously overcoming special linkages between input- and output modalities interfere with postural control in old but not in young female adults. Our preliminary data provide further evidence for the involvement of cognitive control processes in postural tasks.}, language = {en} } @article{DeekenHaeuslerNordheimetal.2017, author = {Deeken, Friederike and H{\"a}usler, Andreas and Nordheim, Johanna and Rapp, Michael A. and Knoll, Nina and Rieckmann, Nina}, title = {Psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale in a sample of German dementia patients and their caregivers}, series = {International psychogeriatrics}, volume = {30}, journal = {International psychogeriatrics}, number = {1}, publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {1041-6102}, doi = {10.1017/S1041610217001387}, pages = {39 -- 47}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric characteristics of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in a sample of dementia patients and their spousal caregivers. Methods: We investigated the reliability and validity of the 14-item PSS in a sample of 80 couples, each including one spouse who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia (mean age 75.55, SD = 5.85, 38.7\% female) and one spousal caregiver (mean age 73.06, SD = 6.75, 61.3\% female). We also examined the factor structure and sensitivity of the scale with regard to gender differences. Results: Exploratory factor analysis of the PSS revealed a two-factor solution for the scale; the first factor reflected general stress while the second factor consisted of items reflecting the perceived ability to cope with stressors. A confirmatory factor analysis verified that the data were a better fit for the two-factor model than a one-factor model. The two factors of the PSS showed good reliability for patients as well as for caregivers ranging between alpha = 0.73 and alpha = 0.82. Perceived stress was significantly positively correlated with depressive symptomatology in both caregivers and patients. Mean PSS scores did not significantly differ between male and female patients nor did they differ between male and female caregivers. Conclusion: The present data indicate that the PSS provides a reliable and valid measure of perceived stress in dementia patients and their caregivers.}, language = {en} } @article{GellertHaeuslerGholamietal.2017, author = {Gellert, Paul and H{\"a}usler, Andreas and Gholami, Maryam and Rapp, Michael A. and Kuhlmey, Adelheid and Nordheim, Johanna}, title = {Own and partners' dyadic coping and depressive symptoms in individuals with early-stage dementia and their caregiving partners}, series = {Aging \& Mental Health}, volume = {22}, journal = {Aging \& Mental Health}, number = {8}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1360-7863}, doi = {10.1080/13607863.2017.1334759}, pages = {1008 -- 1016}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Objectives: In patients with early-stage dementia and their caregiving partners, reciprocal dyadic coping (DC) is crucial for preventing or reducing depressive symptoms in both partners. This study examines the relationships between 'own DC' and 'perceived partner DC' with depressive symptoms in couples coping with dementia on individual (actor effects) and cross-person (partner effects) levels. Method: 164 individuals (82 patients with early-stage dementia and their 82 caregiving partners; ND = 82 dyads) participated in this prospective study with measures (DC, depressive symptoms, and dementia severity) taken at baseline and at six months. Each partner evaluated their own and the perceived partner DC. Actor-partner interdependence models were applied to the resulting four independent evaluations. Results: Results differed substantially between patients and caregivers. DC was significantly related to patients' but not to caregivers' depressive symptoms, when adjustments were made for individual coping. Perceived partner DC showed a negative association with depressive symptoms in patients, whereas own DC was adversely related for actor as well as for partner effects across individuals. Conclusion: The adverse association between the own DC of the caregiver and the patient on depressive symptoms of the patient might be due to inappropriate efforts or to the loss of autonomy as a care-receiver. DC is important in both patients and caregivers, as shown by the negative association between perceived partner DC and depressive symptoms in the patients, which might inform interventions that target the couple as a whole.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzelRappFydrichetal.2017, author = {Heinzel, Stephan and Rapp, Michael A. and Fydrich, Thomas and Str{\"o}hle, Andreas and Teran, Christina and Kallies, Gunnar and Schwefel, Melanie and Heissel, Andreas}, title = {Neurobiological mechanisms of exercise and psychotherapy in depression}, series = {Clinical Trials}, volume = {15}, journal = {Clinical Trials}, number = {1}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {London}, issn = {1740-7745}, doi = {10.1177/1740774517729161}, pages = {53 -- 64}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background/Aims: Even though cognitive behavioral therapy has become a relatively effective treatment for major depressive disorder and cognitive behavioral therapy-related changes of dysfunctional neural activations were shown in recent studies, remission rates still remain at an insufficient level. Therefore, the implementation of effective augmentation strategies is needed. In recent meta-analyses, exercise therapy (especially endurance exercise) was reported to be an effective intervention in major depressive disorder. Despite these findings, underlying mechanisms of the antidepressant effect of exercise especially in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy have rarely been studied to date and an investigation of its neural underpinnings is lacking. A better understanding of the psychological and neural mechanisms of exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy would be important for developing optimal treatment strategies in depression. The SPeED study (Sport/Exercise Therapy and Psychotherapyevaluating treatment Effects in Depressive patients) is a randomized controlled trial to investigate underlying physiological, neurobiological, and psychological mechanisms of the augmentation of cognitive behavioral therapy with endurance exercise. It is investigated if a preceding endurance exercise program will enhance the effect of a subsequent cognitive behavioral therapy. Methods: This study will include 105 patients diagnosed with a mild or moderate depressive episode according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). The participants are randomized into one of three groups: a high-intensive or a low-intensive endurance exercise group or a waiting list control group. After the exercise program/waiting period, all patients receive an outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy treatment according to a standardized therapy manual. At four measurement points, major depressive disorder symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression), (neuro)biological measures (neural activations during working memory, monetary incentive delay task, and emotion regulation, as well as cortisol levels and brain-derived neurotrophic factor), neuropsychological test performance, and questionnaires (psychological needs, self-efficacy, and quality of life) are assessed. Results: In this article, we report the design of the SPeED study and refer to important methodological issues such as including both high- and low-intensity endurance exercise groups to allow the investigation of dose-response effects and physiological components of the therapy effects. Conclusion: The main aims of this research project are to study effects of endurance exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy on depressive symptoms and to investigate underlying physiological and neurobiological mechanisms of these effects. Results may provide important implications for the development of effective treatment strategies in major depressive disorder, specifically concerning the augmentation of cognitive behavioral therapy by endurance exercise.}, language = {en} } @article{KocReinhardtReppertetal.2017, author = {Koc, Azize and Reinhardt, M. and Reppert, Alexander von and Roessle, Matthias and Leitenberger, Wolfram and Dumesnil, K. and Gaal, Peter and Zamponi, Flavio and Bargheer, Matias}, title = {Ultrafast x-ray diffraction thermometry measures the influence of spin excitations on the heat transport through nanolayers}, series = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, volume = {96}, journal = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2469-9950}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.96.014306}, pages = {7}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We investigate the heat transport through a rare earth multilayer system composed of yttrium (Y), dysprosium (Dy), and niobium (Nb) by ultrafast x-ray diffraction. This is an example of a complex heat flow problem on the nanoscale, where several different quasiparticles carry the heat and conserve a nonequilibrium for more than 10 ns. The Bragg peak positions of each layer represent layer-specific thermometers that measure the energy flow through the sample after excitation of the Y top layer with fs-laser pulses. In an experiment-based analytic solution to the nonequilibrium heat transport problem, we derive the individual contributions of the spins and the coupled electron-lattice system to the heat conduction. The full characterization of the spatiotemporal energy flow at different starting temperatures reveals that the spin excitations of antiferromagnetic Dy speed up the heat transport into the Dy layer at low temperatures, whereas the heat transport through this layer and further into the Y and Nb layers underneath is slowed down. The experimental findings are compared to the solution of the heat equation using macroscopic temperature-dependent material parameters without separation of spin and phonon contributions to the heat. We explain why the simulated energy density matches our experiment-based derivation of the heat transport, although the simulated thermoelastic strain in this simulation is not even in qualitative agreement.}, language = {en} } @article{FriedelSeboldKuitunenPauletal.2017, author = {Friedel, Eva and Sebold, Miriam and Kuitunen-Paul, S{\"o}ren and Nebe, Stephan and Veer, Ilya M. and Zimmermann, Ulrich S. and Schlagenhauf, Florian and Smolka, Michael N. and Rapp, Michael A. and Walter, Henrik and Heinz, Andreas}, title = {How Accumulated Real Life Stress Experience and Cognitive Speed Interact on Decision-Making Processes}, series = {Frontiers in human neuroscienc}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in human neuroscienc}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1662-5161}, doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2017.00302}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Rationale: Advances in neurocomputational modeling suggest that valuation systems for goal-directed (deliberative) on one side, and habitual (automatic) decision-making on the other side may rely on distinct computational strategies for reinforcement learning, namely model-free vs. model-based learning. As a key theoretical difference, the model-based system strongly demands cognitive functions to plan actions prospectively based on an internal cognitive model of the environment, whereas valuation in the model-free system relies on rather simple learning rules from operant conditioning to retrospectively associate actions with their outcomes and is thus cognitively less demanding. Acute stress reactivity is known to impair model-based but not model-free choice behavior, with higher working memory capacity protecting the model-based system from acute stress. However, it is not clear which impact accumulated real life stress has on model-free and model-based decision systems and how this influence interacts with cognitive abilities. Methods: We used a sequential decision-making task distinguishing relative contributions of both learning strategies to choice behavior, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale questionnaire to assess accumulated real life stress, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test to test cognitive speed in 95 healthy subjects. Results: Individuals reporting high stress exposure who had low cognitive speed showed reduced model-based but increased model-free behavioral control. In contrast, subjects exposed to accumulated real life stress with high cognitive speed displayed increased model-based performance but reduced model-free control. Conclusion: These findings suggest that accumulated real life stress exposure can enhance reliance on cognitive speed for model-based computations, which may ultimately protect the model-based system from the detrimental influences of accumulated real life stress. The combination of accumulated real life stress exposure and slower information processing capacities, however, might favor model-free strategies. Thus, the valence and preference of either system strongly depends on stressful experiences and individual cognitive capacities.}, language = {en} } @article{DrosselmeyerJacobRathmannetal.2017, author = {Drosselmeyer, Julia and Jacob, Louis and Rathmann, Wolfgang and Rapp, Michael A. and Kostev, Karel}, title = {Depression risk in patients with late-onset rheumatoid arthritis in Germany}, series = {Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation}, volume = {26}, journal = {Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {0962-9343}, doi = {10.1007/s11136-016-1387-2}, pages = {437 -- 443}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression and its risk factors in patients with late-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated in German primary care practices. Longitudinal data from general practices (n=1072) throughout Germany were analyzed. Individuals initially diagnosed with RA (2009-2013) were identified, and 7301 patients were included and matched (1:1) to 7301 controls. The primary outcome measure was the initial diagnosis of depression within 5 years after the index date in patients with and without RA. Cox proportional hazards models were used to adjust for confounders. The mean age was 72.2 years (SD: 7.6 years). A total of 34.9 \% of patients were men. Depression diagnoses were present in 22.0 \% of the RA group and 14.3 \% of the control group after a 5-year follow-up period (p < 0.001). In the multivariate regression model, RA was a strong risk factor for the development of depression (HR: 1.55, p < 0.001). There was significant interaction of RA and diagnosed inflammatory polyarthropathies (IP) (RA*IP interaction: p < 0.001). Furthermore, dementia, cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes were associated with a higher risk of developing depression (p values < 0.001). The risk of depression is significantly higher in patients with late-onset RA than in patients without RA for subjects treated in primary care practices in Germany. RA patients should be screened routinely for depression in order to ensure improved treatment and management.}, language = {en} } @article{StelzelSchauenburgRappetal.2017, author = {Stelzel, Christine and Schauenburg, Gesche and Rapp, Michael A. and Heinzel, Stephan and Granacher, Urs}, title = {Age-Related Interference between the Selection of Input-Output Modality Mappings and Postural Control-a Pilot Study}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00613}, pages = {15}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Age-related decline in executive functions and postural control due to degenerative processes in the central nervous system have been related to increased fall-risk in old age. Many studies have shown cognitive-postural dual-task interference in old adults, but research on the role of specific executive functions in this context has just begun. In this study, we addressed the question whether postural control is impaired depending on the coordination of concurrent response-selection processes related to the compatibility of input and output modality mappings as compared to impairments related to working-memory load in the comparison of cognitive dual and single tasks. Specifically, we measured total center of pressure (CoP) displacements in healthy female participants aged 19-30 and 66-84 years while they performed different versions of a spatial one-back working memory task during semi-tandem stance on an unstable surface (i.e., balance pad) while standing on a force plate. The specific working-memory tasks comprised: (i) modality compatible single tasks (i.e., visual-manual or auditory-vocal tasks), (ii) modality compatible dual tasks (i.e., visual-manual and auditory-vocal tasks), (iii) modality incompatible single tasks (i.e., visual-vocal or auditory-manual tasks), and (iv) modality incompatible dual tasks (i.e., visual-vocal and auditory-manual tasks). In addition, participants performed the same tasks while sitting. As expected from previous research, old adults showed generally impaired performance under high working-memory load (i.e., dual vs. single one-back task). In addition, modality compatibility affected one-back performance in dual-task but not in single-task conditions with strikingly pronounced impairments in old adults. Notably, the modality incompatible dual task also resulted in a selective increase in total CoP displacements compared to the modality compatible dual task in the old but not in the young participants. These results suggest that in addition to effects of working-memory load, processes related to simultaneously overcoming special linkages between input-and output modalities interfere with postural control in old but not in young female adults. Our preliminary data provide further evidence for the involvement of cognitive control processes in postural tasks.}, language = {en} } @article{NebeKroemerSchadetal.2017, author = {Nebe, Stephan and Kroemer, Nils B. and Schad, Daniel and Bernhardt, Nadine and Sebold, Miriam and Mueller, Dirk K. and Scholl, Lucie and Kuitunen-Paul, S{\"o}ren and Heinz, Andreas and Rapp, Michael A. and Huys, Quentin J. M. and Smolka, Michael N.}, title = {No association of goal-directed and habitual control with alcohol consumption in young adults}, series = {Addiction biology}, volume = {23}, journal = {Addiction biology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1355-6215}, doi = {10.1111/adb.12490}, pages = {379 -- 393}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Alcohol dependence is a mental disorder that has been associated with an imbalance in behavioral control favoring model-free habitual over model-based goal-directed strategies. It is as yet unknown, however, whether such an imbalance reflects a predisposing vulnerability or results as a consequence of repeated and/or excessive alcohol exposure. We, therefore, examined the association of alcohol consumption with model-based goal-directed and model-free habitual control in 188 18-year-old social drinkers in a two-step sequential decision-making task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging before prolonged alcohol misuse could have led to severe neurobiological adaptations. Behaviorally, participants showed a mixture of model-free and model-based decision-making as observed previously. Measures of impulsivity were positively related to alcohol consumption. In contrast, neither model-free nor model-based decision weights nor the trade-off between them were associated with alcohol consumption. There were also no significant associations between alcohol consumption and neural correlates of model-free or model-based decision quantities in either ventral striatum or ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Exploratory whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging analyses with a lenient threshold revealed early onset of drinking to be associated with an enhanced representation of model-free reward prediction errors in the posterior putamen. These results suggest that an imbalance between model-based goal-directed and model-free habitual control might rather not be a trait marker of alcohol intake per se.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzelLorenzQuynhLamDuongetal.2017, author = {Heinzel, Stephan and Lorenz, Robert C. and Quynh-Lam Duong, and Rapp, Michael A. and Deserno, Lorenz}, title = {Prefrontal-parietal effective connectivity during working memory in older adults}, series = {Neurobiology of Aging}, volume = {57}, journal = {Neurobiology of Aging}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, issn = {0197-4580}, doi = {10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.05.005}, pages = {18 -- 27}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Theoretical models and preceding studies have described age-related alterations in neuronal activation of frontoparietal regions in a working memory (WM)load-dependent manner. However, to date, underlying neuronal mechanisms of these WM load-dependent activation changes in aging remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate these mechanisms in terms of effective connectivity by application of dynamic causal modeling with Bayesian Model Selection. Eighteen healthy younger (age: 20-32 years) and 32 older (60-75 years) participants performed an n-back task with 3 WM load levels during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Behavioral and conventional fMRI results replicated age group by WM load interactions. Importantly, the analysis of effective connectivity derived from dynamic causal modeling, indicated an age-and performance-related reduction in WM load-dependent modulation of connectivity from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to inferior parietal lobule. This finding provides evidence for the proposal that age-related WM decline manifests as deficient WM load-dependent modulation of neuronal top-down control and can integrate implications from theoretical models and previous studies of functional changes in the aging brain.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinzelRimpelStelzeletal.2017, author = {Heinzel, Stephan and Rimpel, J{\´e}r{\^o}me and Stelzel, Christine and Rapp, Michael A.}, title = {Transfer Effects to a Multimodal Dual-Task after Working Memory Training and Associated Neural Correlates in Older Adults}, series = {Frontiers in human neuroscience}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in human neuroscience}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2017.00085}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Working memory (WM) performance declines with age. However, several studies have shown that WM training may lead to performance increases not only in the trained task, but also in untrained cognitive transfer tasks. It has been suggested that transfer effects occur if training task and transfer task share specific processing components that are supposedly processed in the same brain areas. In the current study, we investigated whether single-task WM training and training-related alterations in neural activity might support performance in a dual-task setting, thus assessing transfer effects to higher-order control processes in the context of dual-task coordination. A sample of older adults (age 60-72) was assigned to either a training or control group. The training group participated in 12 sessions of an adaptive n-back training. At pre and post-measurement, a multimodal dual-task was performed in all participants to assess transfer effects. This task consisted of two simultaneous delayed match to sample WM tasks using two different stimulus modalities (visual and auditory) that were performed either in isolation (single-task) or in conjunction (dual-task). A subgroup also participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the performance of the n-back task before and after training. While no transfer to single-task performance was found, dual-task costs in both the visual modality (p < 0.05) and the auditory modality (p < 0.05) decreased at post-measurement in the training but not in the control group. In the fMRI subgroup of the training participants, neural activity changes in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during one-back predicted post-training auditory dual-task costs, while neural activity changes in right DLPFC during three-back predicted visual dual-task costs. Results might indicate an improvement in central executive processing that could facilitate both WM and dual-task coordination.}, language = {en} } @article{JacobRappKostev2017, author = {Jacob, Louis and Rapp, Michael A. and Kostev, Karel}, title = {Long-term use of benzodiazepines in older patients in Germany}, series = {Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology}, number = {6/7}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-1253}, doi = {10.1177/2045125317696454}, pages = {191 -- 200}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of long-term benzodiazepine use in older adults treated in general and neuropsychiatric practices in Germany. Methods: This study included 32,182 patients over the age of 65 years who received benzodiazepine prescriptions for the first time between January 2010 and December 2014 in general and neuropsychiatric practices in Germany. Follow up lasted until July 2016. The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients treated with benzodiazepines for >6 months. Results: The proportion of patients with benzodiazepine therapy for >6 months increased with age (65-70 years: 12.3\%; 71-80 years: 15.5\%; 81-90 years: 23.7\%; >90 years: 31.6\%) but did not differ significantly between men (15.5\%) and women (17.1\%). The proportion of patients who received benzodiazepines for >6 months was higher among those with sleep disorders (21.1\%), depression (20.8\%) and dementia (32.1\%) than among those with anxiety (15.5\%). By contrast, this proportion was lower among people diagnosed with adjustment disorders (7.7\%) and back pain (3.8\%). Conclusion: Overall, long-term use of benzodiazepines is common in older people, particularly in patients over the age of 80 and in those diagnosed with dementia, sleep disorders, or depression.}, language = {en} } @article{BohlkenWeberSiebertetal.2017, author = {Bohlken, Jens and Weber, Simon A. and Siebert, Anke and Forstmeier, Simon and Kohlmann, Thomas and Rapp, Michael A.}, title = {Reminiscence therapy for depression in dementia}, series = {GeroPsych - The Journal of gerontopsychology and geriatric psychiatry}, volume = {30}, journal = {GeroPsych - The Journal of gerontopsychology and geriatric psychiatry}, publisher = {Hogrefe}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1662-9647}, doi = {10.1024/1662-9647/a000175}, pages = {145 -- 151}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We investigated the efficacy of reminiscence therapy (RT) on symptoms of depression in patients with mild to moderate dementia. Out of 227 patients with mild to moderate dementia from a specialized physician's office, 27 pairs (N = 54; mean age 79.04 ± 6.16 years) who had either received treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU combined with RT, were matched retrospectively according to age as well as cognitive and depressive symptom scores. After controlling for age and sex, symptoms of depression significantly decreased over time in the RT group compared to TAU (F1,52 = 4.36; p < .05). RT is a promising option for the treatment of depression in mild to moderate dementia. Larger randomized-controlled trials are needed.}, language = {en} } @article{AbdallaAbramowskiAharonianetal.2017, author = {Abdalla, Hassan E. and Abramowski, Attila and Aharonian, Felix A. and Benkhali, Faical Ait and Akhperjanian, A. G. and Andersson, T. and Anguner, Ekrem Oǧuzhan and Arakawa, M. and Arrieta, M. and Aubert, Pierre and Backes, Michael and Balzer, Arnim and Barnard, Michelle and Becherini, Yvonne and Tjus, J. Becker and Berge, David and Bernhard, Sabrina and Bernl{\"o}hr, K. and Blackwell, R. and B{\"o}ttcher, Markus and Boisson, Catherine and Bolmont, J. and Bonnefoy, S. and Bordas, Pol and Bregeon, Johan and Brun, Francois and Brun, Pierre and Bryan, Mark and Buechele, M. and Bulik, Tomasz and Capasso, M. and Carr, John and Casanova, Sabrina and Cerruti, M. and Chakraborty, N. and Chaves, Ryan C. G. and Chen, Andrew and Chevalier, J. and Coffaro, M. and Colafrancesco, Sergio and Cologna, Gabriele and Condon, B. and Conrad, Jan and Cui, Y. and Davids, I. D. and Decock, J. and Degrange, B. and Deil, C. and Devin, J. and de Wilt, P. and Dirson, L. and Djannati-Atai, A. and Domainko, W. and Donath, A. and Dutson, K. and Dyks, J. and Edwards, T. and Egberts, Kathrin and Eger, P. and Ernenwein, J. -P. and Eschbach, S. and Farnier, C. and Fegan, S. and Fernandes, M. V. and Fiasson, A. and Fontaine, G. and Foerster, A. and Funk, S. and Fuessling, M. and Gabici, S. and Gallant, Y. A. and Garrigoux, T. and Giavitto, G. and Giebels, B. and Glicenstein, J. F. and Gottschall, D. and Goyal, A. and Grondin, M. -H. and Hahn, J. and Haupt, M. and Hawkes, J. and Heinzelmann, G. and Henri, G. and Hermann, G. and Hinton, James Anthony and Hofmann, W. and Hoischen, Clemens and Holch, Tim Lukas and Holler, M. and Horns, D. and Ivascenko, A. and Iwasaki, H. and Jacholkowska, A. and Jamrozy, M. and Janiak, M. and Jankowsky, D. and Jankowsky, F. and Jingo, M. and Jogler, T. and Jouvin, L. and Jung-Richardt, I. and Kastendieck, M. A. and Katarzynski, K. and Katsuragawa, M. and Katz, U. and Kerszberg, D. and Khangulyan, D. and Khelifi, B. and King, J. and Klepser, S. and Klochkov, D. and Kluzniak, W. and Kolitzus, D. and Komin, Nu. and Kosack, K. and Krakau, S. and Kraus, M. and Kruger, P. P. and Laffon, H. and Lamanna, G. and Lau, J. and Lees, J. -P. and Lefaucheur, J. and Lefranc, V. and Lemiere, A. and Lemoine-Goumard, M. and Lenain, J. -P. and Leser, Eva and Lohse, T. and Lorentz, M. and Liu, R. and Lopez-Coto, R. and Lypova, I. and Marandon, V. and Marcowith, Alexandre and Mariaud, C. and Marx, R. and Maurin, G. and Maxted, N. and Mayer, M. and Meintjes, P. J. and Meyer, M. and Mitchell, A. M. W. and Moderski, R. and Mohamed, M. and Mohrmann, L. and Mora, K. and Moulin, Emmanuel and Murach, T. and Nakashima, S. and de Naurois, M. and Niederwanger, F. and Niemiec, J. and Oakes, L. and Odaka, H. and Ohm, S. and Ostrowski, M. and Oya, I. and Padovani, M. and Panter, M. and Parsons, R. D. and Pekeur, N. W. and Pelletier, G. and Perennes, C. and Petrucci, P. -O. and Peyaud, B. and Piel, Q. and Pita, S. and Poon, H. and Prokhorov, D. and Prokoph, H. and Puehlhofer, G. and Punch, M. and Quirrenbach, A. and Raab, S. and Rauth, R. and Reimer, A. and Reimer, O. and Renaud, M. and de los Reyes, R. and Richter, S. and Rieger, F. and Romoli, C. and Rowell, G. and Rudak, B. and Rulten, C. B. and Sahakian, V. and Saito, S. and Salek, D. and Sanchez, David M. and Santangelo, Andrea and Sasaki, M. and Schlickeiser, R. and Schussler, F. and Schulz, A. and Schwanke, U. and Schwemmer, S. and Seglar-Arroyo, M. and Settimo, M. and Seyffert, A. S. and Shafi, N. and Shilon, I. and Simoni, R. and Sol, H. and Spanier, F. and Spengler, G. and Spies, F. and Stawarz, L. and Steenkamp, R. and Stegmann, Christian and Stycz, K. and Sushch, Iurii and Takahashi, T. and Tavernet, J. -P. and Tavernier, T. and Taylor, A. M. and Terrier, R. and Tibaldo, L. and Tiziani, D. and Tluczykont, M. and Trichard, C. and Tsuji, N. and Tuffs, R. and Uchiyama, Y. and van der Walt, D. J. and van Eldik, C. and van Rensburg, C. and van Soelen, B. and Vasileiadis, G. and Veh, J. and Venter, C. and Viana, A. and Vincent, P. and Vink, J. and Voisin, F. and Voelk, H. J. and Vuillaume, T. and Wadiasingh, Z. and Wagner, S. J. and Wagner, P. and Wagner, R. M. and White, R. and Wierzcholska, A. and Willmann, P. and Woernlein, A. and Wouters, D. and Yang, R. and Zaborov, D. and Zacharias, M. and Zanin, R. and Zdziarski, A. A. and Zech, Alraune and Zefi, F. and Ziegler, A. and Zywucka, N.}, title = {Measurement of the EBL spectral energy distribution using the VHE gamma-ray spectra of HESS blazars}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {606}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, organization = {HESS Collaboration}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731200}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Very high-energy gamma rays (VHE, E greater than or similar to 100 GeV) propagating over cosmological distances can interact with the low-energy photons of the extragalactic background light (EBL) and produce electron-positron pairs. The transparency of the Universe to VHE gamma rays is then directly related to the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the EBL. The observation of features in the VHE energy spectra of extragalactic sources allows the EBL to be measured, which otherwise is very difficult. An EBL model-independent measurement of the EBL SED with the H.E.S.S. array of Cherenkov telescopes is presented. It was obtained by extracting the EBL absorption signal from the reanalysis of high-quality spectra of blazars. From H.E.S.S. data alone the EBL signature is detected at a significance of 9.5 sigma, and the intensity of the EBL obtained in different spectral bands is presented together with the associated gamma-ray horizon.}, language = {en} } @article{AbdallaAbramowskiAharonianetal.2017, author = {Abdalla, Hassan E. and Abramowski, Attila and Aharonian, Felix A. and Benkhali, Faical Ait and Anguner, Ekrem Oǧuzhan and Arakawa, M. and Arrieta, M. and Aubert, Pierre and Backes, Michael and Balzer, Arnim and Barnard, Michelle and Becherini, Yvonne and Tjus, J. Becker and Berge, David and Bernhard, Sabrina and Bernl{\"o}hr, K. and Blackwell, R. and B{\"o}ttcher, Markus and Boisson, Catherine and Bolmont, J. and Bonnefoy, S. and Bordas, Pol and Bregeon, Johan and Brun, Francois and Brun, Pierre and Bryan, Mark and Buechele, M. and Bulik, Tomasz and Capasso, M. and Caroff, S. and Carosi, A. and Casanova, Sabrina and Cerruti, M. and Chakraborty, N. and Chaves, Ryan C. G. and Chen, Andrew and Chevalier, J. and Colafrancesco, Sergio and Condon, B. and Conrad, Jan and Davids, I. D. and Decock, J. and Deil, C. and Devin, J. and deWilt, P. and Dirson, L. and Djannati-Atai, A. and Donath, A. and Dutson, K. and Dyks, J. and Edwards, T. and Egberts, Kathrin and Emery, G. and Ernenwein, J. -P. and Eschbach, S. and Farnier, C. and Fegan, S. and Fernandes, M. V. and Fiasson, A. and Fontaine, G. and Funk, S. and Fuessling, M. and Gabici, S. and Gallant, Y. A. and Garrigoux, T. and Gate, F. and Giavitto, G. and Giebels, B. and Glawion, D. and Glicenstein, J. F. and Gottschall, D. and Grondin, M. -H. and Hahn, J. and Haupt, M. and Hawkes, J. and Heinzelmann, G. and Henri, G. and Hermann, G. and Hinton, James Anthony and Hofmann, W. and Hoischen, Clemens and Holch, Tim Lukas and Holler, M. and Horns, D. and Ivascenko, A. and Iwasaki, H. and Jacholkowska, A. and Jamrozy, M. and Jankowsky, D. and Jankowsky, F. and Jingo, M. and Jouvin, L. and Jung-Richardt, I. and Kastendieck, M. A. and Katarzynski, K. and Katsuragawa, M. and Katz, U. and Kerszberg, D. and Khangulyan, D. and Khelifi, B. and King, J. and Klepser, S. and Klochkov, D. and Kluzniak, W. and Komin, Nu. and Kosack, K. and Krakau, S. and Kraus, M. and Kruer, P. P. and Laffon, H. and Lamanna, G. and Lau, J. and Lees, J. -P. and Lefaucheur, J. and Lemiere, A. and Lemoine-Goumard, M. and Lenain, J. -P. and Leser, Eva and Lohse, T. and Lorentz, M. and Liu, R. and Lopez-Coto, R. and Lypova, I. and Malyshev, D. and Marandon, V. and Marcowith, Alexandre and Mariaud, C. and Marx, R. and Maurin, G. and Maxted, N. and Mayer, M. and Meintjes, P. J. and Meyer, M. and Mitchell, A. M. W. and Moderski, R. and Mohamed, M. and Mohrmann, L. and Mora, K. and Moulin, Emmanuel and Murach, T. and Nakashima, S. and de Naurois, M. and Ndiyavala, H. and Niederwanger, F. and Niemiec, J. and Oakes, L. and Odaka, H. and Ohm, S. and Ostrowski, M. and Oya, I. and Padovani, M. and Panter, M. and Parsons, R. D. and Pekeur, N. W. and Pelletier, G. and Perennes, C. and Petrucci, P. -O. and Peyaud, B. and Piel, Q. and Pita, S. and Poireau, V. and Poon, H. and Prokhorov, D. and Prokoph, H. and Puehlhofer, G. and Punch, M. and Quirrenbach, A. and Raab, S. and Rauth, R. and Reimer, A. and Reimer, O. and Renaud, M. and de los Reyes, R. and Rieger, F. and Rinchiuso, L. and Romoli, C. and Rowell, G. and Rudak, B. and Rulten, C. B. and Sahakian, V. and Saito, S. and Sanchez, David M. and Santangelo, Andrea and Sasaki, M. and Schlickeiser, R. and Schussler, F. and Schulz, A. and Schwanke, U. and Schwemmer, S. and Seglar-Arroyo, M. and Settimo, M. and Seyffert, A. S. and Shafi, N. and Shilon, I. and Shiningayamwe, K. and Simoni, R. and Sol, H. and Spanier, F. and Spir-Jacob, M. and Stawarz, L. and Steenkamp, R. and Stegmann, Christian and Steppa, Constantin Beverly and Sushch, Iurii and Takahashi, T. and Tavernet, J. -P. and Tavernier, T. and Taylor, A. M. and Terrier, R. and Tibaldo, L. and Tiziani, D. and Tluczykont, M. and Trichard, C. and Tsirou, M. and Tsuji, N. and Tuffs, R. and Uchiyama, Y. and van der Walt, D. J. and van Eldik, C. and van Rensburg, C. and van Soelen, B. and Vasileiadis, G. and Veh, J. and Venter, C. and Viana, A. and Vincent, P. and Vink, J. and Voisin, F. and Voelk, H. J. and Vuillaume, T. and Wadiasingh, Z. and Wagner, S. J. and Wagner, P. and Wagner, R. M. and White, R. and Wierzcholska, A. and Willmann, P. and Woernlein, A. and Wouters, D. and Yang, R. and Zaborov, D. and Zacharias, M. and Zanin, R. and Zdziarski, A. A. and Zech, Alraune and Zefi, F. and Ziegler, A. and Zorn, J. and Zywucka, N.}, title = {TeV Gamma-Ray Observations of the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817 with HESS}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, volume = {850}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, organization = {HESS Collaboration}, issn = {2041-8205}, doi = {10.3847/2041-8213/aa97d2}, pages = {628 -- 650}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We search for high-energy gamma-ray emission from the binary neutron star merger GW170817 with the H.E.S.S. Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes. The observations presented here have been obtained starting only 5.3 hr after GW170817. The H.E.S.S. target selection identified regions of high probability to find a counterpart of the gravitational-wave event. The first of these regions contained the counterpart SSS17a that has been identified in the optical range several hours after our observations. We can therefore present the first data obtained by a ground-based pointing instrument on this object. A subsequent monitoring campaign with the H.E.S.S. telescopes extended over several days, covering timescales from 0.22 to 5.2 days and energy ranges between 270 GeV to 8.55 TeV. No significant gamma-ray emission has been found. The derived upper limits on the very-high-energy gamma-ray flux for the first time constrain non-thermal, high-energy emission following the merger of a confirmed binary neutron star system.}, language = {en} } @article{RojasJimenezWurzbacherBourneetal.2017, author = {Rojas-Jimenez, Keilor and Wurzbacher, Christian and Bourne, Elizabeth Charlotte and Chiuchiolo, Amy and Priscu, John C. and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Early diverging lineages within Cryptomycota and Chytridiomycota dominate the fungal communities in ice-covered lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-15598-w}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Antarctic ice-covered lakes are exceptional sites for studying the ecology of aquatic fungi under conditions of minimal human disturbance. In this study, we explored the diversity and community composition of fungi in five permanently covered lake basins located in the Taylor and Miers Valleys of Antarctica. Based on analysis of the 18S rRNA sequences, we showed that fungal taxa represented between 0.93\% and 60.32\% of the eukaryotic sequences. Cryptomycota and Chytridiomycota dominated the fungal communities in all lakes; however, members of Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota, and Blastocladiomycota were also present. Of the 1313 fungal OTUs identified, the two most abundant, belonging to LKM11 and Chytridiaceae, comprised 74\% of the sequences. Significant differences in the community structure were determined among lakes, water depths, habitat features (i.e., brackish vs. freshwaters), and nucleic acids (DNA vs. RNA), suggesting niche differentiation. Network analysis suggested the existence of strong relationships among specific fungal phylotypes as well as between fungi and other eukaryotes. This study sheds light on the biology and ecology of basal fungi in aquatic systems. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the predominance of early diverging lineages of fungi in pristine limnetic ecosystems, particularly of the enigmatic phylum Cryptomycota.}, language = {en} } @article{MestreFerreraBorrulletal.2017, author = {Mestre, Mireia and Ferrera, Isabel and Borrull, Encarna and Ortega-Retuerta, Eva and Mbedi, Susan and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Gasol, Josep M. and Sala, M. Montserrat}, title = {Spatial variability of marine bacterial and archaeal communities along the particulate matter continuum}, series = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {26}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0962-1083}, doi = {10.1111/mec.14421}, pages = {6827 -- 6840}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Biotic and abiotic particles shape the microspatial architecture that defines the microbial aquatic habitat, being particles highly variable in size and quality along oceanic horizontal and vertical gradients. We analysed the prokaryotic (bacterial and archaeal) diversity and community composition present in six distinct particle size classes ranging from the pico-to the microscale (0.2 to 200 lm). Further, we studied their variations along oceanographic horizontal (from the coast to open oceanic waters) and vertical (from the ocean surface into the meso-and bathypelagic ocean) gradients. In general, prokaryotic community composition was more variable with depth than in the transition from the coast to the open ocean. Comparing the six size-fractions, distinct prokaryotic communities were detected in each size-fraction, and whereas bacteria were more diverse in the larger size-fractions, archaea were more diverse in the smaller size-fractions. Comparison of prokaryotic community composition among particle size-fractions showed that most, but not all, taxonomic groups have a preference for a certain size-fraction sustained with depth. Species sorting, or the presence of diverse ecotypes with distinct size-fraction preferences, may explain why this trend is not conserved in all taxa.}, language = {en} } @article{GilingStaehrGrossartetal.2017, author = {Giling, Darren P. and Staehr, Peter A. and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Andersen, Mikkel Rene and Boehrer, Bertram and Escot, Carmelo and Evrendilek, Fatih and Gomez-Gener, Lluis and Honti, Mark and Jones, Ian D. and Karakaya, Nusret and Laas, Alo and Moreno-Ostos, Enrique and Rinke, Karsten and Scharfenberger, Ulrike and Schmidt, Silke R. and Weber, Michael and Woolway, R. Iestyn and Zwart, Jacob A. and Obrador, Biel}, title = {Delving deeper: Metabolic processes in the metalimnion of stratified lakes}, series = {Limnology and oceanography}, volume = {62}, journal = {Limnology and oceanography}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0024-3590}, doi = {10.1002/lno.10504}, pages = {1288 -- 1306}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Many lakes exhibit seasonal stratification, during which they develop strong thermal and chemical gradients. An expansion of depth-integrated monitoring programs has provided insight into the importance of organic carbon processing that occurs below the upper mixed layer. However, the chemical and physical drivers of metabolism and metabolic coupling remain unresolved, especially in the metalimnion. In this depth zone, sharp gradients in key resources such as light and temperature co-occur with dynamic physical conditions that influence metabolic processes directly and simultaneously hamper the accurate tracing of biological activity. We evaluated the drivers of metalimnetic metabolism and its associated uncertainty across 10 stratified lakes in Europe and North America. We hypothesized that the metalimnion would contribute highly to whole-lake functioning in clear oligotrophic lakes, and that metabolic rates would be highly variable in unstable polymictic lakes. Depth-integrated rates of gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) were modelled from diel dissolved oxygen curves using a Bayesian approach. Metabolic estimates were more uncertain below the epilimnion, but uncertainty was not consistently related to lake morphology or mixing regime. Metalimnetic rates exhibited high day-to-day variability in all trophic states, with the metalimnetic contribution to daily whole-lake GPP and ER ranging from 0\% to 87\% and < 1\% to 92\%, respectively. Nonetheless, the metalimnion of low-nutrient lakes contributed strongly to whole-lake metabolism on average, driven by a collinear combination of highlight, low surface-water phosphorous concentration and high metalimnetic volume. Consequently, a single-sensor approach does not necessarily reflect whole-ecosystem carbon dynamics in stratified lakes.}, language = {en} } @article{GilingNejstgaardBergeretal.2017, author = {Giling, Darren P. and Nejstgaard, Jens C. and Berger, Stella A. and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Kirillin, Georgiy and Penske, Armin and Lentz, Maren and Casper, Peter and Sareyka, Joerg and Gessner, Mark O.}, title = {Thermocline deepening boosts ecosystem metabolism: evidence from a large-scale lake enclosure experiment simulating a summer storm}, series = {Global change biology}, volume = {23}, journal = {Global change biology}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1354-1013}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.13512}, pages = {1448 -- 1462}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Extreme weather events can pervasively influence ecosystems. Observations in lakes indicate that severe storms in particular can have pronounced ecosystem-scale consequences, but the underlying mechanisms have not been rigorously assessed in experiments. One major effect of storms on lakes is the redistribution of mineral resources and plankton communities as a result of abrupt thermocline deepening. We aimed at elucidating the importance of this effect by mimicking in replicated large enclosures (each 9 m in diameter, ca. 20 m deep, ca. 1300 m 3 in volume) a mixing event caused by a severe natural storm that was previously observed in a deep clear-water lake. Metabolic rates were derived from diel changes in vertical profiles of dissolved oxygen concentrations using a Bayesian modelling approach, based on high-frequency measurements. Experimental thermocline deepening stimulated daily gross primary production (GPP) in surface waters by an average of 63\% for > 4 weeks even though thermal stratification re-established within 5 days. Ecosystem respiration (ER) was tightly coupled to GPP, exceeding that in control enclosures by 53\% over the same period. As GPP responded more strongly than ER, net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of the entire water column was also increased. These protracted increases in ecosystem metabolism and autotrophy were driven by a proliferation of inedible filamentous cyanobacteria released from light and nutrient limitation after they were entrained from below the thermocline into the surface water. Thus, thermocline deepening by a single severe storm can induce prolonged responses of lake ecosystem metabolism independent of other storm-induced effects, such as inputs of terrestrial materials by increased catchment run-off. This highlights that future shifts in frequency, severity or timing of storms are an important component of climate change, whose impacts on lake thermal structure will superimpose upon climate trends to influence algal dynamics and organic matter cycling in clear-water lakes. Keywords: climate variability, ecosystem productivity, extreme events, gross primary production, mesocosm, respiration stratified lakes}, language = {en} } @article{LauHupferGrossart2017, author = {Lau, Maximilian P. and Hupfer, Michael and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Reduction-oxidation cycles of organic matter increase bacterial activity in the pelagic oxycline}, series = {Environmental microbiology reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Environmental microbiology reports}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1758-2229}, doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.12526}, pages = {257 -- 267}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in aquatic ecosystems contains redox-active moieties, which are prone to oxidation and reduction reactions. Oxidized moieties feature reduction potentials E-h, so that the moieties may be used as terminal electron acceptors (TEAs) in microbial respiration with a thermodynamic energy yield between nitrate and sulfate reduction. Here, we study the response of pelagic freshwater bacteria to exposure to native DOM with varying availabilities of oxidized moieties and hence redox state. Our results show that the prevalence of oxidized DOM favors microbial production and growth in anoxic waters. Reduced DOM in stratified lakes may be oxidized when fluctuations of the oxycline expose DOM in previously anoxic water to epilimnetic oxygen. The resulting oxidized DOM may be rapidly used as TEAs in microbial respiration during subsequent periods of anoxia. We further investigate if the prevalence of these organic electron sinks in anaerobic incubations can induce changes in the microbial community. Our results reveal that DOM traversing transient redox interfaces selects for species that profit from such spatially confined and cyclically restored TEA reservoirs.}, language = {en} } @article{SixtusFischerLindemann2017, author = {Sixtus, Elena and Fischer, Martin H. and Lindemann, Oliver}, title = {Finger posing primes number comprehension}, series = {Cognitive processing : international quarterly of cognitive science}, volume = {18}, journal = {Cognitive processing : international quarterly of cognitive science}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1612-4782}, doi = {10.1007/s10339-017-0804-y}, pages = {237 -- 248}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Canonical finger postures, as used in counting, activate number knowledge, but the exact mechanism for this priming effect is unclear. Here we dissociated effects of visual versus motor priming of number concepts. In Experiment 1, participants were exposed either to pictures of canonical finger postures (visual priming) or actively produced the same finger postures (motor priming) and then used foot responses to rapidly classify auditory numbers (targets) as smaller or larger than 5. Classification times revealed that manually adopted but not visually perceived postures primed magnitude classifications. Experiment 2 obtained motor priming of number processing through finger postures also with vocal responses. Priming only occurred through canonical and not through non-canonical finger postures. Together, these results provide clear evidence for motor priming of number knowledge. Relative contributions of vision and action for embodied numerical cognition and the importance of canonicity of postures are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{ReilImholtRosenfeldetal.2017, author = {Reil, Daniela and Imholt, Christian and Rosenfeld, Ulrike and Drewes, Stephan and Fischer, S. and Heuser, Emil and Petraityte-Burneikiene, Rasa and Ulrich, R. G. and Jacob, J.}, title = {Validation of the Puumala virus rapid field test for bank voles in Germany}, series = {Epidemiology and infection}, volume = {145}, journal = {Epidemiology and infection}, number = {3}, publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {0950-2688}, doi = {10.1017/S0950268816002557}, pages = {434 -- 439}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Puumala virus (PUUV) causes many human infections in large parts of Europe and can lead to mild to moderate disease. The bank vole (Myodes glareolus) is the only reservoir of PUUV in Central Europe. A commercial PUUV rapid field test for rodents was validated for bank-vole blood samples collected in two PUUV-endemic regions in Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Wurttemberg). A comparison of the results of the rapid field test and standard ELISAs indicated a test efficacy of 93-95\%, largely independent of the origin of the antigens used in the ELISA. In ELISAs, reactivity for the German PUUV strain was higher compared to the Swedish strain but not compared to the Finnish strain, which was used for the rapid field test. In conclusion, the use of the rapid field test can facilitate short-term estimation of PUUV seroprevalence in bank-vole populations in Germany and can aid in assessing human PUUV infection risk.}, language = {en} } @article{Philipowski2017, author = {Philipowski, Katharina}, title = {Exemplarik und Erfahrung in allegorischen Ich-Erz{\"a}hlungen (am Beispiel von Konrads von W{\"u}rzburg 'Klage der Kunst')}, series = {Beitr{\"a}ge zur Geschichte der deutschen Sprache und Literatur (PBB)}, volume = {139}, journal = {Beitr{\"a}ge zur Geschichte der deutschen Sprache und Literatur (PBB)}, number = {3}, publisher = {de Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {0005-8076}, doi = {10.1515/bgsl-2017-0029}, pages = {377 -- 410}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Most of the longer worldly fictional Middle High German first-person narrations are allegorical. The article discusses the reasons for this interdependence between allegory and the first-person narrative form, which is observable not only in Middle High German literature, but also in texts belonging to other European vernacular literatures of the time. In my article I develop two main thesis: The first is that the use of allegoric forms marks on the one hand a highbrow literary level and serves as a stylistic ornament of texts, which tend to present themselves mainly as author-speech. This is also the reason why in these texts the ›I‹ is often not only a narrating ›I‹, but also takes over the role of an author on the narrative level of the histoire. The other reason for this interdependence is that among all kinds of narrators, only the first-person narrator is able to cross the border between the extradiegetic and the diegetic world, in which personifications like Frau Minne, Frau Triuwe, or Frau {\^A}ventiure have the knowledge about Minne, Triuwe, and {\^A}ventiure and wait for the first-person narrator to approach and to be taught. Only he can experience the encounter with the personifications and their instruction himself and only he can pass this knowledge to the recipients as an experience he made himself.}, language = {de} } @article{DavidsenKwiatekCharalampidouetal.2017, author = {Davidsen, Joern and Kwiatek, Grzegorz and Charalampidou, Elli-Maria and Goebel, Thomas H. W. and Stanchits, Sergei and Rueck, Marc and Dresen, Georg}, title = {Triggering Processes in Rock Fracture}, series = {Physical review letters}, volume = {119}, journal = {Physical review letters}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {0031-9007}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.068501}, pages = {8}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We study triggering processes in triaxial compression experiments under a constant displacement rate on sandstone and granite samples using spatially located acoustic emission events and their focal mechanisms. We present strong evidence that event-event triggering plays an important role in the presence of large-scale or macrocopic imperfections, while such triggering is basically absent if no significant imperfections are present. In the former case, we recover all established empirical relations of aftershock seismicity including the Gutenberg-Richter relation, a modified version of the Omori-Utsu relation and the productivity relation-despite the fact that the activity is dominated by compaction-type events and triggering cascades have a swarmlike topology. For the Gutenberg-Richter relations, we find that the b value is smaller for triggered events compared to background events. Moreover, we show that triggered acoustic emission events have a focal mechanism much more similar to their associated trigger than expected by chance.}, language = {en} } @article{PhilipowskiGlauch2017, author = {Philipowski, Katharina and Glauch, Sonja}, title = {Vorarbeiten zur Literaturgeschichte und Systematik vormodernen Ich-Erz{\"a}hlens}, series = {Von sich selbst erz{\"a}hlen. Historische Dimensionen des Ich-Erz{\"a}hlens}, journal = {Von sich selbst erz{\"a}hlen. Historische Dimensionen des Ich-Erz{\"a}hlens}, editor = {Glauch, Sonja and Philipowski, Katharina}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Winter}, address = {Heidelberg}, isbn = {978-3-8253-6862-3}, pages = {1 -- 61}, year = {2017}, language = {de} } @article{Philipowski2017, author = {Philipowski, Katharina}, title = {Der Autor als Schwankheld}, series = {Von sich selbst erz{\"a}hlen. Historische Dimensionen des Ich-Erz{\"a}hlens}, journal = {Von sich selbst erz{\"a}hlen. Historische Dimensionen des Ich-Erz{\"a}hlens}, editor = {Glauch, Sonja and Philipowski, Katharina}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}tsverlag Winter}, address = {Heidelberg}, isbn = {978-3-8253-6862-3}, pages = {227 -- 262}, year = {2017}, language = {de} } @article{ReilRosenfeldImholtetal.2017, author = {Reil, Daniela and Rosenfeld, Ulrike and Imholt, Christian and Schmidt, Sabrina and Ulrich, Rainer G. and Eccard, Jana and Jacob, Jens}, title = {Puumala hantavirus infections in bank vole populations}, series = {BMC ecology}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC ecology}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1472-6785}, doi = {10.1186/s12898-017-0118-z}, pages = {13}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background In Europe, bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are widely distributed and can transmit Puumala virus (PUUV) to humans, which causes a mild to moderate form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, called nephropathia epidemica. Uncovering the link between host and virus dynamics can help to prevent human PUUV infections in the future. Bank voles were live trapped three times a year in 2010-2013 in three woodland plots in each of four regions in Germany. Bank vole population density was estimated and blood samples collected to detect PUUV specific antibodies. Results We demonstrated that fluctuation of PUUV seroprevalence is dependent not only on multi-annual but also on seasonal dynamics of rodent host abundance. Moreover, PUUV infection might affect host fitness, because seropositive individuals survived better from spring to summer than uninfected bank voles. Individual space use was independent of PUUV infections. Conclusions Our study provides robust estimations of relevant patterns and processes of the dynamics of PUUV and its rodent host in Central Europe, which are highly important for the future development of predictive models for human hantavirus infection risk}, language = {en} } @article{EckertDiCesareKettneretal.2017, author = {Eckert, Ester M. and Di Cesare, Andrea and Kettner, Marie Therese and Arias-Andres, Maria and Fontaneto, Diego and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Corno, Gianluca}, title = {Microplastics increase impact of treated wastewater on freshwater microbial community}, series = {Environmental pollution}, volume = {234}, journal = {Environmental pollution}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0269-7491}, doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.070}, pages = {495 -- 502}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Plastic pollution is a major global concern with several million microplastic particles entering every day freshwater ecosystems via wastewater discharge. Microplastic particles stimulate biofilm formation (plastisphere) throughout the water column and have the potential to affect microbial community structure if they accumulate in pelagic waters, especially enhancing the proliferation of biohazardous bacteria. To test this scenario, we simulated the inflow of treated wastewater into a temperate lake using a continuous culture system with a gradient of concentration of microplastic particles. We followed the effect of microplastics on the microbial community structure and on the occurrence of integrase 1 (intl), a marker associated with mobile genetic elements known as a proxy for anthropogenic effects on the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. The abundance of intl increased in the plastisphere with increasing microplastic particle concentration, but not in the water surrounding the microplastic particles. Likewise, the microbial community on microplastic was more similar to the original wastewater community with increasing microplastic concentrations. Our results show that microplastic particles indeed promote persistence of typical indicators of microbial anthropogenic pollution in natural waters, and substantiate that their removal from treated wastewater should be prioritised. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{NiestaKayersSchwarz2017, author = {Niesta Kayers, Daniel and Schwarz, Sascha}, title = {Physical Appearance, Attractiveness and Relationships: Is the Display Versus Avoidance of the Color Red a Strategic Mating Signal?}, series = {Journal of Psychology \& Psychotherapy}, volume = {7}, journal = {Journal of Psychology \& Psychotherapy}, number = {2}, issn = {2161-0487}, doi = {10.4172/2161-0487.1000293}, pages = {4}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The present article focuses on the role of situational factors - such as the color red - and their influence on what humans notice in others. Humans form impressions of others instantly. These impressions are predominantly based on physical appearance, which is part due to a person's search for indicators of a potential partner's fitness. Attractive individuals are associated with all sorts of positive qualities, whereas their less attractive counterparts are less favorably depicted. This perception process of physical attractiveness is associated with health in male and female faces, and from an evolutionary point of view, serves the survival and the reproductive success of the perceiver. The meaning of the color red for approach and avoidance behavior is demonstrated in a recent study, which shows that women's use (or avoidance) of red clothing, accessories, and make-up may serve as a subtle and strategic indicator of (missing) sexual interest.}, language = {en} } @article{GuillemoteauLueckTronicke2017, author = {Guillemoteau, Julien and L{\"u}ck, Erika and Tronicke, Jens}, title = {1D inversion of direct current data acquired with a rolling electrode system}, series = {Journal of applied geophysics}, volume = {146}, journal = {Journal of applied geophysics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0926-9851}, doi = {10.1016/j.jappgeo.2017.09.010}, pages = {167 -- 177}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Direct current systems employing a kinematic surveying strategy allow to analyze the electrical resistivity of the subsurface for large areas (i.e., several hectares). Typical applications are found in precision agriculture, archaeological prospecting and soil sciences. With the typical survey setting, the collected data sets are often characterized by a rather high level of noise and a rather coarse lateral sampling compared to data acquired with fixed electrodes. We therefore present an efficient one-dimensional inversion approach in which we put special attention on modeling the effects of noise. We apply this method to data recorded with a five-offset equatorial dipole-dipole system employing rolling electrodes. By performing several synthetic tests with realistic noise levels, we found that the considered five-configuration soundings allow for a reliable imaging of two-layer cases in the uppermost two meters of the subsurface, where the subsurface can be assumed to follow a horizontally layered geometry within 3 m around the system. By analyzing the corresponding sensitivity functions, we also show that the equatorial dipole-dipole array is relatively well suited for a 1D inversion approach compared to standard in-line electrode arrays. To illustrate this aspect, we show that our method can provide results similar to those obtained with a 2D Wenner imaging procedure for data recorded across a well-constrained 2D target. We finally apply our method to a large five-offset data set acquired in an agricultural study. The final pseudo-3D model of electrical resistivity is in accordance with borehole data available for the surveyed area. Our results demonstrate the applicability and the versatility of the presented inversion approach for large-scale data sets as they are typically collected with such rolling electrode systems. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{GuillemoteauChristensenJacobsenetal.2017, author = {Guillemoteau, Julien and Christensen, Niels Boie and Jacobsen, Bo Holm and Tronicke, Jens}, title = {Fast 3D multichannel deconvolution of electromagnetic induction loop-loop apparent conductivity data sets acquired at low induction numbers}, series = {Geophysics}, volume = {82}, journal = {Geophysics}, publisher = {Society of Exploration Geophysicists}, address = {Tulsa}, issn = {0016-8033}, doi = {10.1190/GEO2016-0518.1}, pages = {E357 -- E369}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors using sufficiently low-frequency harmonic sources and sufficiently small loop separations operate in the low-induction-number (LIN) domain for a relatively wide range of background conductivity. These systems are used in diverse near-surface investigations including applications from soil sciences, hydrology, and archaeology. The special case of portable multiconfiguration EMI sensors operating at frequencies <= 20 kHz offers the possibility of using a fast linear deconvolution method to interpret multichannel data sets in three dimensions. Here, we have developed a fast 3D inversion/deconvolution method regularized with 3D smoothness constraints and formulated in the hybrid spectral-spatial domain. Compared with other linear approaches, the spectral-spatial domain formulation significantly reduces the computational cost of the processing and opens the door for real-time 3D interpretation of large data sets consisting of more than 100,000 data points. First, we test our proposed algorithm on synthetic data sets computed with the full Maxwell theory. Then, we apply our method to a real four-configuration EMI data set acquired to map the thickness of peat layers embedded in a sandy environment. For the synthetic and the field example, we compared our result with the result obtained using a standard point-by-point 1D nonlinear inversion approach. This comparison demonstrates that the proposed methodology provides superior lateral resolution compared with the 1D nonlinear inversion, at the same time significantly reducing the computational cost of the processing.}, language = {en} } @article{AngermannJackischAllroggenetal.2017, author = {Angermann, Lisa and Jackisch, Conrad and Allroggen, Niklas and Sprenger, Matthias and Zehe, Erwin and Tronicke, Jens and Weiler, Markus and Blume, Theresa}, title = {Form and function in hillslope hydrology: characterization of subsurface flow based on response observations}, series = {Hydrology and earth system sciences : HESS}, volume = {21}, journal = {Hydrology and earth system sciences : HESS}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1027-5606}, doi = {10.5194/hess-21-3727-2017}, pages = {3727 -- 3748}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The phrase form and function was established in architecture and biology and refers to the idea that form and functionality are closely correlated, influence each other, and co-evolve. We suggest transferring this idea to hydrological systems to separate and analyze their two main characteristics: their form, which is equivalent to the spatial structure and static properties, and their function, equivalent to internal responses and hydrological behavior. While this approach is not particularly new to hydrological field research, we want to employ this concept to explicitly pursue the question of what information is most advantageous to understand a hydrological system. We applied this concept to subsurface flow within a hillslope, with a methodological focus on function: we conducted observations during a natural storm event and followed this with a hillslope-scale irrigation experiment. The results are used to infer hydrological processes of the monitored system. Based on these findings, the explanatory power and conclusiveness of the data are discussed. The measurements included basic hydrological monitoring methods, like piezometers, soil moisture, and discharge measurements. These were accompanied by isotope sampling and a novel application of 2-D time-lapse GPR (ground-penetrating radar). The main finding regarding the processes in the hillslope was that preferential flow paths were established quickly, despite unsaturated conditions. These flow paths also caused a detectable signal in the catchment response following a natural rainfall event, showing that these processes are relevant also at the catchment scale. Thus, we conclude that response observations (dynamics and patterns, i.e., indicators of function) were well suited to describing processes at the observational scale. Especially the use of 2-D time-lapse GPR measurements, providing detailed subsurface response patterns, as well as the combination of stream-centered and hillslope-centered approaches, allowed us to link processes and put them in a larger context. Transfer to other scales beyond observational scale and generalizations, however, rely on the knowledge of structures (form) and remain speculative. The complementary approach with a methodological focus on form (i.e., structure exploration) is presented and discussed in the companion paper by Jackisch et al. (2017).}, language = {en} } @article{JackischAngermannAllroggenetal.2017, author = {Jackisch, Conrad and Angermann, Lisa and Allroggen, Niklas and Sprenger, Matthias and Blume, Theresa and Tronicke, Jens and Zehe, Erwin}, title = {Form and function in hillslope hydrology: in situ imaging and characterization of flow-relevant structures}, series = {Hydrology and earth system sciences : HESS}, volume = {21}, journal = {Hydrology and earth system sciences : HESS}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1027-5606}, doi = {10.5194/hess-21-3749-2017}, pages = {3749 -- 3775}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The study deals with the identification and characterization of rapid subsurface flow structures through pedo- and geo-physical measurements and irrigation experiments at the point, plot and hillslope scale. Our investigation of flow-relevant structures and hydrological responses refers to the general interplay of form and function, respectively. To obtain a holistic picture of the subsurface, a large set of different laboratory, exploratory and experimental methods was used at the different scales. For exploration these methods included drilled soil core profiles, in situ measurements of infiltration capacity and saturated hydraulic conductivity, and laboratory analyses of soil water retention and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The irrigation experiments at the plot scale were monitored through a combination of dye tracer, salt tracer, soil moisture dynamics, and 3-D time-lapse ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods. At the hillslope scale the subsurface was explored by a 3-D GPR survey. A natural storm event and an irrigation experiment were monitored by a dense network of soil moisture observations and a cascade of 2-D time-lapse GPR "trenches". We show that the shift between activated and non-activated state of the flow paths is needed to distinguish structures from overall heterogeneity. Pedo-physical analyses of point-scale samples are the basis for sub-scale structure inference. At the plot and hillslope scale 3-D and 2-D time-lapse GPR applications are successfully employed as non-invasive means to image subsurface response patterns and to identify flow-relevant paths. Tracer recovery and soil water responses from irrigation experiments deliver a consistent estimate of response velocities. The combined observation of form and function under active conditions provides the means to localize and characterize the structures (this study) and the hydrological processes (companion study Angermann et al., 2017, this issue).}, language = {en} } @article{BoboneHilschStormetal.2017, author = {Bobone, Sara and Hilsch, Malte and Storm, Julian and Dunsing, Valentin and Herrmann, Andreas and Chiantia, Salvatore}, title = {Phosphatidylserine Lateral Organization Influences the Interaction of Influenza Virus Matrix Protein 1 with Lipid Membranes}, series = {Journal of virology}, volume = {91}, journal = {Journal of virology}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0022-538X}, doi = {10.1128/JVI.00267-17}, pages = {15}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Influenza A virus matrix protein 1 (M1) is an essential component involved in the structural stability of the virus and in the budding of new virions from infected cells. A deeper understanding of the molecular basis of virion formation and the budding process is required in order to devise new therapeutic approaches. We performed a detailed investigation of the interaction between M1 and phosphatidylserine (PS) (i.e., its main binding target at the plasma membrane [PM]), as well as the distribution of PS itself, both in model membranes and in living cells. To this end, we used a combination of techniques, including Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), confocal microscopy imaging, raster image correlation spectroscopy, and number and brightness (N\&B) analysis. Our results show that PS can cluster in segregated regions in the plane of the lipid bilayer, both in model bilayers constituted of PS and phosphatidylcholine and in living cells. The viral protein M1 interacts specifically with PS-enriched domains, and such interaction in turn affects its oligomerization process. Furthermore, M1 can stabilize PS domains, as observed in model membranes. For living cells, the presence of PS clusters is suggested by N\&B experiments monitoring the clustering of the PS sensor lactadherin. Also, colocalization between M1 and a fluorescent PS probe suggest that, in infected cells, the matrix protein can specifically bind to the regions of PM in which PS is clustered. Taken together, our observations provide novel evidence regarding the role of PS-rich domains in tuning M1-lipid and M1-M1 interactions at the PM of infected cells. IMPORTANCE Influenza virus particles assemble at the plasma membranes (PM) of infected cells. This process is orchestrated by the matrix protein M1, which interacts with membrane lipids while binding to the other proteins and genetic material of the virus. Despite its importance, the initial step in virus assembly (i.e., M1-lipid interaction) is still not well understood. In this work, we show that phosphatidylserine can form lipid domains in physical models of the inner leaflet of the PM. Furthermore, the spatial organization of PS in the plane of the bilayer modulates M1-M1 interactions. Finally, we show that PS domains appear to be present in the PM of living cells and that M1 seems to display a high affinity for them.}, language = {en} } @article{GarcinSchildgenAcostaetal.2017, author = {Garcin, Yannick and Schildgen, Taylor F. and Acosta, Veronica Torres and Melnick, Daniel and Guillemoteau, Julien and Willenbring, Jane and Strecker, Manfred}, title = {Short-lived increase in erosion during the African Humid Period}, series = {Earth \& planetary science letters}, volume = {459}, journal = {Earth \& planetary science letters}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0012-821X}, doi = {10.1016/j.epsl.2016.11.017}, pages = {58 -- 69}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The African Humid Period (AHP) between similar to 15 and 5.5 cal. kyr BP caused major environmental change in East Africa, including filling of the Suguta Valley in the northern Kenya Rift with an extensive (similar to 2150 km(2)), deep (similar to 300 m) lake. Interfingering fluvio-lacustrine deposits of the Baragoi paleo-delta provide insights into the lake-level history and how erosion rates changed during this time, as revealed by delta-volume estimates and the concentration of cosmogenic Be-10 in fluvial sand. Erosion rates derived from delta-volume estimates range from 0.019 to 0.03 mm yr(-1). Be-10-derived paleo-erosion rates at similar to 11.8 cal. kyr BP ranged from 0.035 to 0.086 mm yr(-1), and were 2.7 to 6.6 times faster than at present. In contrast, at similar to 8.7 cal. kyr BP, erosion rates were only 1.8 times faster than at present. Because Be-10-derived erosion rates integrate over several millennia; we modeled the erosion-rate history that best explains the 10Be data using established non-linear equations that describe in situ cosmogenic isotope production and decay. Two models with different temporal constraints (15-6.7 and 12-6.7 kyr) suggest erosion rates that were 25 to 300 times higher than the initial erosion rate (pre-delta formation). That pulse of high erosion rates was short (similar to 4 kyr or less) and must have been followed by a rapid decrease in rates while climate remained humid to reach the modern Be-10-based erosion rate of,similar to 0.013 mm yr(-1). Our simulations also flag the two highest Be-10-derived erosion rates at 11.8 kyr BP related to nonuniform catchment erosion. These changes in erosion rates and processes during the AHP may reflect a strong increase in precipitation, runoff, and erosivity at the arid-to-humid transition either at 15 or similar to 12 cal. kyr BP, before the landscape stabilized again, possibly due to increased soil production and denser vegetation.}, language = {en} } @article{TronickePaasche2017, author = {Tronicke, Jens and Paasche, Hendrik}, title = {Integrated interpretation of 2D ground-penetrating radar, P-, and S-wave velocity models in terms of petrophysical properties}, series = {Interpretation : a journal of subsurface characterization}, volume = {5}, journal = {Interpretation : a journal of subsurface characterization}, number = {1}, publisher = {Society of Exploration Geophysicists}, address = {Tulsa}, issn = {2324-8858}, doi = {10.1190/INT-2016-0081.1}, pages = {T121 -- T130}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Near-surface geophysical techniques are extensively used in a variety of engineering, environmental, geologic, and hydrologic applications. While many of these applications ask for detailed, quantitative models of selected material properties, geophysical data are increasingly used to estimate such target properties. Typically, this estimation procedure relies on a two-step workflow including (1) the inversion of geophysical data and (2) the petrophysical translation of the inverted parameter models into the target properties. Standard deterministic implementations of such a quantitative interpretation result in a single best-estimate model, often without considering and propagating the uncertainties related to the two steps. We address this problem by using a rather novel, particle-swarm-based global joint strategy for data inversion and by implementing Monte Carlo procedures for petrophysical property estimation. We apply our proposed workflow to crosshole ground-penetrating radar, P-, and S-wave data sets collected at a well-constrained test site for a detailed geotechnical characterization of unconsolidated sands. For joint traveltime inversion, the chosen global approach results in ensembles of acceptable velocity models, which are analyzed to appraise inversion-related uncertainties. Subsequently, the entire ensembles of inverted velocity models are considered to estimate selected petrophysical properties including porosity, bulk density, and elastic moduli via well-established petrophysical relations implemented in a Monte Carlo framework. Our results illustrate the potential benefit of such an advanced interpretation strategy; i.e., the proposed workflow allows to study how uncertainties propagate into the finally estimated property models, while concurrently we are able to study the impact of uncertainties in the used petrophysical relations (e.g., the influence of uncertain, user-specified parameters). We conclude that such statistical approaches for the quantitative interpretation of geophysical data can be easily extended and adapted to other applications and geophysical methods and might be an important step toward increasing the popularity and acceptance of geophysical tools in engineering practice.}, language = {en} } @article{GerlachGlueck2017, author = {Gerlach, Moritz Reinhardt and Gl{\"u}ck, Jochen}, title = {On a convergence theorem for semigroups of positive integral operators}, series = {Comptes Rendus Mathematique}, volume = {355}, journal = {Comptes Rendus Mathematique}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Paris}, issn = {1631-073X}, doi = {10.1016/j.crma.2017.07.017}, pages = {973 -- 976}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We give a new and very short proof of a theorem of Greiner asserting that a positive and contractive -semigroup on an -space is strongly convergent in case it has a strictly positive fixed point and contains an integral operator. Our proof is a streamlined version of a much more general approach to the asymptotic theory of positive semigroups developed recently by the authors. Under the assumptions of Greiner's theorem, this approach becomes particularly elegant and simple. We also give an outlook on several generalisations of this result.}, language = {en} } @article{WangBekeschusHandorfetal.2017, author = {Wang, Yongbo and Bekeschus, Benjamin and Handorf, D{\"o}rthe and Liu, Xingqi and Dallmeyer, Anne and Herzschuh, Ulrike}, title = {Coherent tropical-subtropical Holocene see-saw moisture patterns in the Eastern Hemisphere monsoon systems}, series = {Quaternary science reviews : the international multidisciplinary research and review journal}, volume = {169}, journal = {Quaternary science reviews : the international multidisciplinary research and review journal}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0277-3791}, doi = {10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.06.006}, pages = {231 -- 242}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The concept of a Global Monsoon (GM) has been proposed based on modern precipitation observations, but its application over a wide range of temporal scales is still under debate. Here, we present a synthesis of 268 continental paleo-moisture records collected from monsoonal systems in the Eastern Hemisphere, including the East Asian Monsoon (EAsM), the Indian Monsoon (IM), the East African Monsoon (EAfM), and the Australian Monsoon (AuM) covering the last 18,000 years. The overall pattern of late Glacial to Holocene moisture change is consistent with those inferred from ice cores and marine records. With respect to the last 10,000 years (10 ka), i.e. a period that has high spatial coverage, a Fuzzy c-Means clustering analysis of the moisture index records together with "Xie-Beni" index reveals four clusters of our data set. The paleoclimatic meaning of each cluster is interpreted considering the temporal evolution and spatial distribution patterns. The major trend in the tropical AuM, EAfM, and IM regions is a gradual decrease in moisture conditions since the early Holocene. Moisture changes in the EAsM regions show maximum index values between 8 and 6 ka. However, records located in nearby subtropical areas, i.e. in regions not influenced by the intertropical convergence zone, show an opposite trend compared to the tropical monsoon regions (AuM, EAfM and IM), i.e. a gradual increase. Analyses of modern meteorological data reveal the same spatial patterns as in the paleoclimate records such that, in times of overall monsoon strengthening, lower precipitation rates are observed in the nearby subtropical areas. We explain this pattern as the effect of a strong monsoon circulation suppressing air uplift in nearby subtropical areas, and hence hindering precipitation. By analogy to the modern system, this would mean that during the early Holocene strong monsoon period, the intensified ascending airflows within the monsoon domains led to relatively weaker ascending or even descending airflows in the adjacent subtropical regions, resulting in a precipitation deficit compared to the late Holocene. Our conceptual model therefore integrates regionally contrasting moisture changes into the Global Monsoon hypothesis. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{Schneider2017, author = {Schneider, Hans Julius}, title = {Buddhist Meditation as a Mystical Practice}, series = {Philosophia : philosophical quarterly of Israel}, volume = {45}, journal = {Philosophia : philosophical quarterly of Israel}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {0048-3893}, doi = {10.1007/s11406-017-9925-x}, pages = {1621 -- 1622}, year = {2017}, abstract = {On the basis of many years of personal experience the paper describes Buddhist meditation (Zazen, Vipassanā) as a mystical practice. After a short discussion of the role of some central concepts (longing, suffering, and love) in Buddhism, William James' concept of religious experience is used to explain the goal of meditators as the achievement of a special kind of an experience of this kind. Systematically, its main point is to explain the difference between (on the one hand) a craving for pleasant 'mental events' in the sense of short-term moods, and (on the other) the long-term project of achieving a deep change in one's attitude to life as a whole, a change that allows the acceptance of suffering and death. The last part argues that there is no reason to call the discussed practice irrational in a negative sense. Changes of attitude of the discussed kind cannot be brought about by argument alone. Therefore, a considered use of age-old practices like meditation should be seen as an addition, not as an undermining of reason.}, language = {en} } @article{LindauerHoosLeytonBrownetal.2017, author = {Lindauer, Marius and Hoos, Holger and Leyton-Brown, Kevin and Schaub, Torsten}, title = {Automatic construction of parallel portfolios via algorithm configuration}, series = {Artificial intelligence}, volume = {244}, journal = {Artificial intelligence}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0004-3702}, doi = {10.1016/j.artint.2016.05.004}, pages = {272 -- 290}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Since 2004, increases in computational power described by Moore's law have substantially been realized in the form of additional cores rather than through faster clock speeds. To make effective use of modern hardware when solving hard computational problems, it is therefore necessary to employ parallel solution strategies. In this work, we demonstrate how effective parallel solvers for propositional satisfiability (SAT), one of the most widely studied NP-complete problems, can be produced automatically from any existing sequential, highly parametric SAT solver. Our Automatic Construction of Parallel Portfolios (ACPP) approach uses an automatic algorithm configuration procedure to identify a set of configurations that perform well when executed in parallel. Applied to two prominent SAT solvers, Lingeling and clasp, our ACPP procedure identified 8-core solvers that significantly outperformed their sequential counterparts on a diverse set of instances from the application and hard combinatorial category of the 2012 SAT Challenge. We further extended our ACPP approach to produce parallel portfolio solvers consisting of several different solvers by combining their configuration spaces. Applied to the component solvers of the 2012 SAT Challenge gold medal winning SAT Solver pfolioUZK, our ACPP procedures produced a significantly better-performing parallel SAT solver.}, language = {en} } @article{MalinovaAlseekhFeiletal.2017, author = {Malinova, Irina and Alseekh, Saleh and Feil, Regina and Fernie, Alisdair and Baumann, Otto and Schoettler, Mark Aurel and Lunn, John Edward and Fettke, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Starch Synthase 4 and Plastidal Phosphorylase Differentially Affect Starch Granule Number and Morphology}, series = {Plant physiology : an international journal devoted to physiology, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, biophysics and environmental biology of plants}, volume = {174}, journal = {Plant physiology : an international journal devoted to physiology, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, biophysics and environmental biology of plants}, publisher = {American Society of Plant Physiologists}, address = {Rockville}, issn = {0032-0889}, doi = {10.1104/pp.16.01859}, pages = {73 -- 85}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The process of starch granule formation in leaves of Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana) is obscure. Besides STARCH SYNTHASE4 (SS4), the PLASTIDIAL PHOSPHORYLASE (PHS1) also seems to be involved, since dpe2-1/phs1a double mutants lacking both PHS1 and the cytosolic DISPROPORTIONATING ENZYME2 (DPE2) displayed only one starch granule per chloroplast under normal growth conditions. For further studies, a dpe2-1/phs1a/ss4 triple mutant and various combinations of double mutants were generated and metabolically analyzed with a focus on starch metabolism. The dpe2-1/phs1a/ ss4 mutant revealed a massive starch excess phenotype. Furthermore, these plants grown under 12 h of light/12 h of dark harbored a single large and spherical starch granule per plastid. The number of starch granules was constant when the light/dark regime was altered, but this was not observed in the parental lines. With regard to growth, photosynthetic parameters, and metabolic analyses, the triple mutant additionally displayed alterations in comparison with ss4 and dpe21/phs1a. The results clearly illustrate that PHS1 and SS4 are differently involved in starch granule formation and do not act in series. However, SS4 appears to exert a stronger influence. In connection with the characterized double mutants, we discuss the generation of starch granules and the observed formation of spherical starch granules.}, language = {en} } @article{SmirnovaFernieSpahnetal.2017, author = {Smirnova, Julia and Fernie, Alisdair and Spahn, Christian M. T. and Steup, Martin}, title = {Photometric assay of maltose and maltose-forming enzyme activity by using 4-alpha-glucanotransferase (DPE2) from higher plants}, series = {Analytical biochemistry : methods in the biological sciences}, volume = {532}, journal = {Analytical biochemistry : methods in the biological sciences}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {San Diego}, issn = {0003-2697}, doi = {10.1016/j.ab.2017.05.026}, pages = {72 -- 82}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Maltose frequently occurs as intermediate of the central carbon metabolism of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Various mutants possess elevated maltose levels. Maltose exists as two anomers, (alpha- and beta-form) which are rapidly interconverted without requiring enzyme-mediated catalysis. As maltose is often abundant together with other oligoglucans, selective quantification is essential. In this communication, we present a photometric maltose assay using 4-alpha-glucanotransferase (AtDPE2) from Arabidopsis thaliana. Under in vitro conditions, AtDPE2 utilizes maltose as glucosyl donor and glycogen as acceptor releasing the other hexosyl unit as free glucose which is photometrically quantified following enzymatic phosphorylation and oxidation. Under the conditions used, DPE2 does not noticeably react with other di- or oligosaccharides. Selectivity compares favorably with that of maltase frequently used in maltose assays. Reducing end interconversion of the two maltose anomers is in rapid equilibrium and, therefore, the novel assay measures total maltose contents. Furthermore, an AtDPE2-based continuous photometric assay is presented which allows to quantify beta-amylase activity and was found to be superior to a conventional test. Finally, the AtDPE2-based maltose assay was used to quantify leaf maltose contents of both Arabidopsis wild type and AtDPE2-deficient plants throughout the light-dark cycle. These data are presented together with assimilatory starch levels. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.}, language = {en} } @article{JanhunenKaminskiOstrowskietal.2017, author = {Janhunen, Tomi and Kaminski, Roland and Ostrowski, Max and Schellhorn, Sebastian and Wanko, Philipp and Schaub, Torsten}, title = {Clingo goes linear constraints over reals and integers}, series = {Theory and practice of logic programming}, volume = {17}, journal = {Theory and practice of logic programming}, publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {1471-0684}, doi = {10.1017/S1471068417000242}, pages = {872 -- 888}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The recent series 5 of the Answer Set Programming (ASP) system clingo provides generic means to enhance basic ASP with theory reasoning capabilities. We instantiate this framework with different forms of linear constraints and elaborate upon its formal properties. Given this, we discuss the respective implementations, and present techniques for using these constraints in a reactive context. More precisely, we introduce extensions to clingo with difference and linear constraints over integers and reals, respectively, and realize them in complementary ways. Finally, we empirically evaluate the resulting clingo derivatives clingo[dl] and clingo[lp] on common language fragments and contrast them to related ASP systems.}, language = {en} } @article{VenturaBortDolcosWendtetal.2017, author = {Ventura-Bort, Carlos and Dolcos, Florin and Wendt, Julia and Wirkner, Janine and Hamm, Alfons O. and Weymar, Mathias}, title = {Item and source memory for emotional associates is mediated by different retrieval processes}, series = {Neuropsychologia : an international journal in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience}, volume = {145}, journal = {Neuropsychologia : an international journal in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0028-3932}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.12.015}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Recent event-related potential (ERP) data showed that neutral objects encoded in emotional background pictures were better remembered than objects encoded in neutral contexts, when recognition memory was tested one week later. In the present study, we investigated whether this long-term memory advantage for items is also associated with correct memory for contextual source details. Furthermore, we were interested in the possibly dissociable contribution of familiarity and recollection processes (using a Remember/Know procedure). The results revealed that item memory performance was mainly driven by the subjective experience of familiarity, irrespective of whether the objects were previously encoded in emotional or neutral contexts. Correct source memory for the associated background picture, however, was driven by recollection and enhanced when the content was emotional. In ERPs, correctly recognized old objects evoked frontal ERP Old/New effects (300-500 ms), irrespective of context category. As in our previous study (Ventura-Bort et al., 2016b), retrieval for objects from emotional contexts was associated with larger parietal Old/New differences (600-800 ms), indicating stronger involvement of recollection. Thus, the results suggest a stronger contribution of recollection-based retrieval to item and contextual background source memory for neutral information associated with an emotional event.}, language = {en} } @article{PuppeHoehnKaczoreketal.2017, author = {Puppe, Daniel and H{\"o}hn, Axel and Kaczorek, Danuta and Wanner, Manfred and Wehrhan, Marc and Sommer, Michael}, title = {How big is the influence of biogenic silicon pools on short-term changes in water-soluble silicon in soils? Implications from a study of a 10-year-old soil-plant system}, series = {Biogeosciences}, volume = {14}, journal = {Biogeosciences}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1726-4170}, doi = {10.5194/bg-14-5239-2017}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The significance of biogenic silicon (BSi) pools as a key factor for the control of Si fluxes from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems has been recognized for decades. However, while most research has been focused on phytogenic Si pools, knowledge of other BSi pools is still limited. We hypothesized that different BSi pools influence short-term changes in the water-soluble Si fraction in soils to different extents. To test our hypothesis we took plant (Calamagrostis epigejos, Phragmites australis) and soil samples in an artificial catchment in a post-mining landscape in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. We quantified phytogenic (phytoliths), protistic (diatom frustules and testate amoeba shells) and zoogenic (sponge spicules) Si pools as well as Tironextractable and water-soluble Si fractions in soils at the beginning (t(0)) and after 10 years (t(10)) of ecosystem development. As expected the results of Tiron extraction showed that there are no consistent changes in the amorphous Si pool at Chicken Creek (Huhnerwasser) as early as after 10 years. In contrast to t(0) we found increased water-soluble Si and BSi pools at t(10); thus we concluded that BSi pools are the main driver of short-term changes in water-soluble Si. However, because total BSi represents only small proportions of water-soluble Si at t(0) (< 2 \%) and t(10) (2.8-4.3 \%) we further concluded that smaller (< 5 mu m) and/or fragile phytogenic Si structures have the biggest impact on short-term changes in water-soluble Si. In this context, extracted phytoliths (> 5 mu m) only amounted to about 16\% of total Si con-tents of plant materials of C. epigejos and P. australis at t(10); thus about 84\% of small-scale and/or fragile phytogenic Si is not quantified by the used phytolith extraction method. Analyses of small-scale and fragile phytogenic Si structures are urgently needed in future work as they seem to represent the biggest and most reactive Si pool in soils. Thus they are the most important drivers of Si cycling in terrestrial biogeosystems.}, language = {en} } @article{SteinhoefelBreuervonBlanckenburgetal.2017, author = {Steinh{\"o}fel, Grit and Breuer, J{\"o}rn and von Blanckenburg, Friedhelm and Horn, Ingo and Sommer, Michael}, title = {The dynamics of Si cycling during weathering in two small catchments in the Black Forest (Germany) traced by Si isotopes}, series = {Chemical geology : official journal of the European Association for Geochemistry}, volume = {466}, journal = {Chemical geology : official journal of the European Association for Geochemistry}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0009-2541}, doi = {10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.06.026}, pages = {389 -- 402}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Silicon stable isotopes have emerged as a powerful proxy to investigate weathering because Si uptake from solution by secondary minerals or by the vegetation causes significant shifts in the isotope composition. In this study, we determined the Si isotope compositions of the principle Si pools within two small catchments located on sandstone and paragneiss, respectively, in the temperate Black Forest (Germany). At both settings, clay formation is dominated by mineral transformation preserving largely the signature of parental minerals with delta Si-30 values of around -0.7\%. Bulk soils rich in primary minerals are similar to bulk parental material with delta Si-30 values close to -0.4\%. Topsoils are partly different because organic matter degradation has promoted intense weathering leading to delta Si-30 values as low as -1.0\%. Water samples expose highly dynamic weathering processes in the soil zone: 1) after spring snowmelt, increased release of DOC and high water fluxes trigger clay mineral dissolution which leads to delta Si-30 values down to -0.7\% and 2) in course of the summer, Si uptake by the vegetation and secondary mineral formation drives dissolved Si to typical positive delta Si-30 values up to 1.1\%. Groundwater with delta Si-30 values of around 0.4\% records steady processes in bedrock reflecting plagioclase weathering together with kaolinite precipitation. An isotope mass balance approach reveals incongruent weathering conditions where denudation of Si is largely driven by physical erosion. Erosion of phytoliths contributes 3 to 21\% to the total Si export flux, which is in the same order as the dissolved Si flux. These results elucidate the Si dynamics during weathering on catchments underlain of sedimentary origin, prevailing on the Earth surface and provide therefore valuable information to interpret the isotope signature of large river systems.}, language = {en} } @article{vanderMeijTemmeWallingaetal.2017, author = {van der Meij, Marijn W. and Temme, Arnaud J. A. M. and Wallinga, J. and Hierold, W. and Sommer, Michael}, title = {Topography reconstruction of eroding landscapes - A case study from a hummocky ground moraine (CarboZALF-D)}, series = {Geomorphology : an international journal on pure and applied geomorphology}, volume = {295}, journal = {Geomorphology : an international journal on pure and applied geomorphology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0169-555X}, doi = {10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.08.015}, pages = {758 -- 772}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Erosion processes, aggravated by human activity, have a large impact on the spatial variation of soil and topographic properties. Knowledge of the topography prior to human-induced erosion (paleotopography) in naturally stable landscapes is valuable for identifying vulnerable landscape positions and is required as starting point for erosion modelling exercises. However, developing accurate reconstructions of paleotopography provide a major challenge for geomorphologists. Here, we present a set of paleotopographies for a closed kettle hole catchment in north-east Germany (4 ha), obtained through different reconstruction approaches. Current soil and colluvium thickness, estimated from a dataset of 264 soil descriptions using Ordinary Kriging, were used as input for a mass balance, or were compared with a set of undisturbed soil thicknesses to estimate the amount of erosion. The performance of the different approaches was assessed with cross-validation and the count of mispredicted eroded, depositional or stable landscape positions. The paleotopographic reconstruction approach based on the average thickness of undisturbed soils in the study area showed the best performance. This thickness (1.00 m) is comparable to the average undisturbed soil thickness in the region and in line with global correlations of soil thickness as a function of rainfall and initial CaCO3 content. The performance of the different approaches depended more on mispredictions of landscape position due to the assumption of a spatially constant initial soil depth than on small variations in this depth. To conclude, we mention several methodological and practical points of attention for future topography reconstruction studies, concerning data quality and availability, spatial configuration of data and other processes affecting topography. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffmannWirthBessleretal.2017, author = {Hoffmann, Mathias and Wirth, Stephan J. and Bessler, Holger and Engels, Christof and Jochheim, Hubert and Sommer, Michael and Augustin, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Combining a root exclusion technique with continuous chamber and porous tube measurements for a pin-point separation of ecosystem respiration in croplands}, series = {Journal of plant nutrition and soil science = Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Pflanzenern{\"a}hrung und Bodenkunde}, volume = {181}, journal = {Journal of plant nutrition and soil science = Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Pflanzenern{\"a}hrung und Bodenkunde}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1436-8730}, doi = {10.1002/jpln.201600489}, pages = {41 -- 50}, year = {2017}, abstract = {To better assess ecosystem C budgets of croplands and understand their potential response to climate and management changes, detailed information on the mechanisms and environmental controls driving the individual C flux components are needed. This accounts in particular for the ecosystem respiration (R-eco) and its components, the autotrophic (R-a) and heterotrophic respiration (R-h) which vary tremendously in time and space. This study presents a method to separate R-eco into R-a [as the sum of R-a (shoot) and R-a (root)] and R-h in order to detect temporal and small-scale spatial dynamics within their relative contribution to overall R-eco. Thus, predominant environmental drivers and underlying mechanisms can be revealed. R-eco was derived during nighttime by automatic chamber CO2 flux measurements on plant covered plots. R-h was derived from CO2 efflux measurements, which were performed in parallel to R-eco measurements on a fallow plot using CO2 sampling tubes in 10 cm soil depth. R-a (root) was calculated as the difference between sampling tube CO2 efflux measurements on a plant covered plot and R-h. R-a (shoot) was calculated as R-eco - R-a (root) - R-h. Measurements were carried out for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during the crop season 2015 at an experimental plot located in the hummocky ground moraine landscape of NE Germany. R-eco varied seasonally from < 1 to 9.5 g C m(-2) d(-1), and was higher in adult (a) and reproductive (r) than juvenile (j) stands (gC m(-2) d(-1): j = 1.2, a = 4.6, r = 5.3). Observed R-a and R-h were in general smaller compared to the independently measured R-eco, contributing in average 58\% and 42\% to R-eco. However, both varied strongly regarding their environmental drivers and particular contribution throughout the study period, following the seasonal development of soil temperature and moisture (R-h) as well as crop development (R-a). Thus, our results consistently revealed temporal dynamics regarding the relative contribution of R-a (root) and R-a (shoot) to R-a, as well as of R-a and R-h to R-eco. Based on the observed results, implications for partitioning of R-eco in croplands are given.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffmannSchulzHankeAlbaetal.2017, author = {Hoffmann, Mathias and Schulz-Hanke, Maximilian and Alba, Juana Garcia and Jurisch, Nicole and Hagemann, Ulrike and Sachs, Torsten and Sommer, Michael and Augustin, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {A simple calculation algorithm to separate high-resolution CH4 flux measurements into ebullition- and diffusion-derived components}, series = {Atmospheric measurement techniques : an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, volume = {10}, journal = {Atmospheric measurement techniques : an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, number = {1}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1867-1381}, doi = {10.5194/amt-10-109-2017}, pages = {109 -- 118}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Processes driving the production, transformation and transport of methane (CH4 / in wetland ecosystems are highly complex. We present a simple calculation algorithm to separate open-water CH4 fluxes measured with automatic chambers into diffusion-and ebullition-derived components. This helps to reveal underlying dynamics, to identify potential environmental drivers and, thus, to calculate reliable CH4 emission estimates. The flux separation is based on identification of ebullition-related sudden concentration changes during single measurements. Therefore, a variable ebullition filter is applied, using the lower and upper quartile and the interquartile range (IQR). Automation of data processing is achieved by using an established R script, adjusted for the purpose of CH4 flux calculation. The algorithm was validated by performing a laboratory experiment and tested using flux measurement data (July to September 2013) from a former fen grassland site, which converted into a shallow lake as a result of rewetting. Ebullition and diffusion contributed equally (46 and 55 \%) to total CH4 emissions, which is comparable to ratios given in the literature. Moreover, the separation algorithm revealed a concealed shift in the diurnal trend of diffusive fluxes throughout the measurement period. The water temperature gradient was identified as one of the major drivers of diffusive CH4 emissions, whereas no significant driver was found in the case of erratic CH4 ebullition events.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffmannPohlJurischetal.2017, author = {Hoffmann, Matthias and Pohl, Madlen and Jurisch, N. and Prescher, Anne-Katrin and Campa, E. Mendez and Hagemann, Ulrike and Remus, R. and Verch, G. and Sommer, Michael and Augustin, J.}, title = {Maize carbon dynamics are driven by soil erosion state and plant phenology rather than nitrogen fertilization form}, series = {Soil \& tillage research : an international journal on research and development in soil tillage and field traffic, and their relationships with soil environment, land use and crop production}, volume = {175}, journal = {Soil \& tillage research : an international journal on research and development in soil tillage and field traffic, and their relationships with soil environment, land use and crop production}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0167-1987}, doi = {10.1016/j.still.2017.09.004}, pages = {255 -- 266}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Carbon (C) stored in soils represents the largest C pool of terrestrial ecosystems and consequently plays a crucial role in the global C cycle. So far, it is widely unclear to what extent different land uses and land use change influence soil C storage. The hummocky ground moraine landscape of northeastern Germany is characterized by distinct small-scale soil heterogeneity on the one hand, and intensive energy crop cultivation on the other. Both factors are assumed to significantly influence gaseous C exchange; as such, they likely drive soil organic carbon (SOC) stock dynamics in terrestrial agricultural ecosystems. To date, it is not clear to what extent N fertilization forms, which are associated with energy crop cultivation (e.g., application of biogas fermentation residues) and soil type relative to soil erosion state, influence soil C dynamics, nor is it clear whether one of these factors is more important than the other. To investigate the influence of soil erosion state and N fertilization form on soil C dynamics, we present dynamic and seasonal net ecosystem carbon balances (NECB) as a proxy for changes in soil organic carbon stocks. Measurements were conducted for maize (Zea mays L.) at five sites in the "CarboZALF-D" experimental field during the 2011 growing season. Measurement sites represent different soil erosion states (non-eroded Albic Luvisols, extremely eroded Calcaric Regosols and depositional Endogleyic Colluvic Regosols) and N fertilization forms (100\% mineral fertilizer, 50\% mineral and 50\% organic fertilizer, and 100\% organic fertilizer). Fertilization treatments were established on the Albic Luvisol. Net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and ecosystem respiration (R-eco) were measured every four weeks using a dynamic flow-through non-steady-state closed manual chamber system. Gap filling was performed based on empirical temperature and PAR dependency functions and was used to derive daily NEE values. In parallel, daily above-ground biomass production (NPFshoot) was estimated using a logistic growth equation, fitted on periodic biomass samples. Finally, C dynamics were calculated as the balance of daily NEE and NPPshoot based on the initial C input due to organic fertilization. Resulting NECB varied from pronounced soil C losses at the Endogleyic Colluvic Regosol (592 g C m(-2)) to soil C gains at the Calcaric Regosol (-124 g C m(-2)). Minor to modest C losses were observed for the Albic Luvisol. Compared to N fertilization forms, soil erosion states generally had a stronger impact on derived NECB. However, interannual variations in plant phonology and interactions between soil erosion states and fertilization forms might result in different NECB values over multiple years. Hence, long-term measurements of different fertilization treatments on characteristic soil landscape elements are needed.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffmannJurischAlbaetal.2017, author = {Hoffmann, Mathias and Jurisch, Nicole and Alba, Juana Garcia and Borraz, Elisa Albiac and Schmidt, Marten and Huth, Vytas and Rogasik, Helmut and Rieckh, Helene and Verch, Gernot and Sommer, Michael and Augustin, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Detecting small-scale spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks}, series = {Biogeosciences}, volume = {14}, journal = {Biogeosciences}, number = {4}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1726-4170}, doi = {10.5194/bg-14-1003-2017}, pages = {1003 -- 1019}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Carbon (C) sequestration in soils plays a key role in the global C cycle. It is therefore crucial to adequately monitor dynamics in soil organic carbon (Delta SOC) stocks when aiming to reveal underlying processes and potential drivers. However, small-scale spatial (10-30 m) and temporal changes in SOC stocks, particularly pronounced in arable lands, are hard to assess. The main reasons for this are limitations of the well-established methods. On the one hand, repeated soil inventories, often used in long-term field trials, reveal spatial patterns and trends in Delta SOC but require a longer observation period and a sufficient number of repetitions. On the other hand, eddy covariance measurements of C fluxes towards a complete C budget of the soil-plant-atmosphere system may help to obtain temporal Delta SOC patterns but lack small-scale spatial resolution. To overcome these limitations, this study presents a reliable method to detect both short-term temporal dynamics as well as small-scale spatial differences of Delta SOC using measurements of the net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) as a proxy. To estimate the NECB, a combination of automatic chamber (AC) measurements of CO2 exchange and empirically modeled aboveground biomass development (NPPshoot / were used. To verify our method, results were compared with Delta SOC observed by soil resampling. Soil resampling and AC measurements were performed from 2010 to 2014 at a colluvial depression located in the hummocky ground moraine landscape of northeastern Germany. The measurement site is characterized by a variable groundwater level (GWL) and pronounced small-scale spatial heterogeneity regarding SOC and nitrogen (Nt) stocks. Tendencies and magnitude of Delta SOC values derived by AC measurements and repeated soil inventories corresponded well. The period of maximum plant growth was identified as being most important for the development of spatial differences in annual Delta SOC. Hence, we were able to confirm that AC-based C budgets are able to reveal small-scale spatial differences and short-term temporal dynamics of Delta SOC.}, language = {en} } @article{KuckeinDierckeGonzalezManriqueetal.2017, author = {Kuckein, Christoph and Diercke, Andrea and Gonz{\´a}lez Manrique, Sergio Javier and Verma, Meetu and Loehner-Boettcher, Johannes and Socas-Navarro, H. and Balthasar, Horst and Sobotka, M. and Denker, Carsten}, title = {Ca II 8542 angstrom brightenings induced by a solar microflare}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {608}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731319}, pages = {13}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Aims. We study small-scale brightenings in Ca II 8542 angstrom line-core images to determine their nature and effect on localized heating and mass transfer in active regions. Methods. High-resolution two-dimensional spectroscopic observations of a solar active region in the near-infrared Ca II 8542 angstrom line were acquired with the GREGOR Fabry-Perot Interferometer attached to the 1.5-m GREGOR telescope. Inversions of the spectra were carried out using the NICOLE code to infer temperatures and line-of-sight (LOS) velocities. Response functions of the Ca II line were computed for temperature and LOS velocity variations. Filtergrams of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and magnetograms of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) were coaligned to match the ground-based observations and to follow the Ca II brightenings along all available layers of the atmosphere. Results. We identified three brightenings of sizes up to 2 ' x 2 ' that appeared in the Ca II 8542 angstrom line-core images. Their lifetimes were at least 1.5 min. We found evidence that the brightenings belonged to the footpoints of a microflare (MF). The properties of the observed brightenings disqualified the scenarios of Ellerman bombs or Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) bombs. However, this MF shared some common properties with flaring active-region fibrils or flaring arch filaments (FAFs): (1) FAFs and MFs are both apparent in chromospheric and coronal layers according to the AIA channels; and (2) both show flaring arches with lifetimes of about 3.0-3.5 min and lengths of similar to 20 ' next to the brightenings. The inversions revealed heating by 600 K at the footpoint location in the ambient chromosphere during the impulsive phase. Connecting the footpoints, a dark filamentary structure appeared in the Ca II line-core images. Before the start of the MF, the spectra of this structure already indicated average blueshifts, meaning upward motions of the plasma along the LOS. During the impulsive phase, these velocities increased up to -2.2 km s(-1). The structure did not disappear during the observations. Downflows dominated at the footpoints. However, in the upper photosphere, slight upflows occurred during the impulsive phase. Hence, bidirectional flows are present in the footpoints of the MF.}, language = {en} } @article{AdaniStegenwallnerSchuetzNiesel2017, author = {Adani, Flavia and Stegenwallner-Sch{\"u}tz, Maja Henny Katherine and Niesel, Talea}, title = {The Peaceful Co-existence of Input Frequency and Structural Intervention Effects on the Comprehension of Complex Sentences in German-Speaking Children}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01590}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The predictions of two contrasting approaches to the acquisition of transitive relative clauses were tested within the same groups of German-speaking participants aged from 3 to 5 years old. The input frequency approach predicts that object relative clauses with inanimate heads (e.g., the pullover that the man is scratching) are comprehended earlier and more accurately than those with an animate head (e.g., the man that the boy is scratching). In contrast, the structural intervention approach predicts that object relative clauses with two full NP arguments mismatching in number (e.g., the man that the boys are scratching) are comprehended earlier and more accurately than those with number-matching NPs (e.g., the man that the boy is scratching). These approaches were tested in two steps. First, we ran a corpus analysis to ensure that object relative clauses with number-mismatching NPs are not more frequent than object relative clauses with number-matching NPs in child directed speech. Next, the comprehension of these structures was tested experimentally in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds respectively by means of a color naming task. By comparing the predictions of the two approaches within the same participant groups, we were able to uncover that the effects predicted by the input frequency and by the structural intervention approaches co-exist and that they both influence the performance of children on transitive relative clauses, but in a manner that is modulated by age. These results reveal a sensitivity to animacy mismatch already being demonstrated by 3-year-olds and show that animacy is initially deployed more reliably than number to interpret relative clauses correctly. In all age groups, the animacy mismatch appears to explain the performance of children, thus, showing that the comprehension of frequent object relative clauses is enhanced compared to the other conditions. Starting with 4-year-olds but especially in 5-year-olds, the number mismatch supported comprehension—a facilitation that is unlikely to be driven by input frequency. Once children fine-tune their sensitivity to verb agreement information around the age of four, they are also able to deploy number marking to overcome the intervention effects. This study highlights the importance of testing experimentally contrasting theoretical approaches in order to characterize the multifaceted, developmental nature of language acquisition.}, language = {en} } @article{AdaniStegenwallnerSchutzNiesel2017, author = {Adani, Flavia and Stegenwallner-Schutz, Maja Henny Katherine and Niesel, Talea}, title = {The Peaceful Co-existence of Input Frequency and Structural Intervention Effects on the Comprehension of Complex Sentences in German-Speaking Children}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01590}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The predictions of two contrasting approaches to the acquisition of transitive relative clauses were tested within the same groups of German-speaking participants aged from 3 to 5 years old. The input frequency approach predicts that object relative clauses with inanimate heads (e.g., the pullover that the man is scratching) are comprehended earlier and more accurately than those with an animate head (e.g., the man that the boy is scratching). In contrast, the structural intervention approach predicts that object relative clauses with two full NP arguments mismatching in number (e.g., the man that the boys are scratching) are comprehended earlier and more accurately than those with number-matching NPs (e.g., the man that the boy is scratching). These approaches were tested in two steps. First, we ran a corpus analysis to ensure that object relative clauses with number-mismatching NPs are not more frequent than object relative clauses with number-matching NPs in child directed speech. Next, the comprehension of these structures was tested experimentally in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds respectively by means of a color naming task. By comparing the predictions of the two approaches within the same participant groups, we were able to uncover that the effects predicted by the input frequency and by the structural intervention approaches co-exist and that they both influence the performance of children on transitive relative clauses, but in a manner that is modulated by age. These results reveal a sensitivity to animacy mismatch already being demonstrated by 3-year-olds and show that animacy is initially deployed more reliably than number to interpret relative clauses correctly. In all age groups, the animacy mismatch appears to explain the performance of children, thus, showing that the comprehension of frequent object relative clauses is enhanced compared to the other conditions. Starting with 4-year-olds but especially in 5-year-olds, the number mismatch supported comprehension-a facilitation that is unlikely to be driven by input frequency. Once children fine-tune their sensitivity to verb agreement information around the age of four, they are also able to deploy number marking to overcome the intervention effects. This study highlights the importance of testing experimentally contrasting theoretical approaches in order to characterize the multifaceted, developmental nature of language acquisition.}, language = {en} } @article{AdeltStadieLassottaetal.2017, author = {Adelt, Anne and Stadie, Nicole and Lassotta, Romy and Adani, Flavia and Burchert, Frank}, title = {Feature dissimilarities in the processing of German relative clauses in aphasia}, series = {Journal of neurolinguistics : an international journal for the study of brain function in language behavior and experience}, volume = {44}, journal = {Journal of neurolinguistics : an international journal for the study of brain function in language behavior and experience}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0911-6044}, doi = {10.1016/j.jneuroling.2017.01.002}, pages = {17 -- 37}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The cross-linguistic finding of greater demands in processing object relatives as compared to subject relatives in individuals with aphasia and non-brain-damaged speakers has been explained within the Relativized Minimality approach. Based on this account, the asymmetry is attributed to an element intervening between the moved element and its extraction site in object relatives, but not in subject relatives. Moreover, it has been proposed that processing of object relatives is facilitated if the intervening and the moved elements differ in their internal feature structure. The present study investigates these predictions in German-speaking individuals with aphasia and a group of control participants by combining the visual world eye-tracking methodology with an auditory referent identification task. Our results provide support for the Relativized Minimality approach. Particularly, the degree of featural distinctness was shown to modulate the occurrence of the effects in aphasia. We claim that, due to reduced processing capacities, individuals with aphasia need a higher degree of featural dissimilarity to distinguish the moved from the intervening element in object relatives to overcome their syntactic deficit. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} }