@article{BrahmsHeinzelRappetal.2022, author = {Brahms, Markus and Heinzel, Stephan and Rapp, Michael A. and M{\"u}ckstein, Marie and Hortob{\´a}gyi, Tibor and Stelzel, Christine and Granacher, Urs}, title = {The acute effects of mental fatigue on balance performance in healthy young and older adults - A systematic review and meta-analysis}, series = {Acta Psychologica}, volume = {225}, journal = {Acta Psychologica}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-6297}, doi = {10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103540}, pages = {1 -- 13}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Cognitive resources contribute to balance control. There is evidence that mental fatigue reduces cognitive resources and impairs balance performance, particularly in older adults and when balance tasks are complex, for example when trying to walk or stand while concurrently performing a secondary cognitive task. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science and Google Scholar to identify eligible studies and performed a random effects meta-analysis to quantify the effects of experimentally induced mental fatigue on balance performance in healthy adults. Subgroup analyses were computed for age (healthy young vs. healthy older adults) and balance task complexity (balance tasks with high complexity vs. balance tasks with low complexity) to examine the moderating effects of these factors on fatigue-mediated balance performance. We identified 7 eligible studies with 9 study groups and 206 participants. Analysis revealed that performing a prolonged cognitive task had a small but significant effect (SMDwm = -0.38) on subsequent balance performance in healthy young and older adults. However, age- and task-related differences in balance responses to fatigue could not be confirmed statistically. Overall, aggregation of the available literature indicates that mental fatigue generally reduces balance in healthy adults. However, interactions between cognitive resource reduction, aging and balance task complexity remain elusive.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ClausenBruenkerStieglitz2023, author = {Clausen, S{\"u}nje and Br{\"u}nker, Felix and Stieglitz, Stefan}, title = {Towards responsible augmentation}, series = {ACIS 2023 proceedings}, booktitle = {ACIS 2023 proceedings}, publisher = {Australasian Association for Information Systems}, address = {Wellington}, pages = {9}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies can increasingly perform knowledge work tasks, such as medical diagnosis. Thereby, it is expected that humans will not be replaced by AI but work closely with AI-based technology ("augmentation"). Augmentation has ethical implications for humans (e.g., impact on autonomy, opportunities to flourish through work), thus, developers and managers of AI-based technology have a responsibility to anticipate and mitigate risks to human workers. However, doing so can be difficult as AI encompasses a wide range of technologies, some of which enable fundamentally new forms of interaction. In this research-in-progress paper, we propose the development of a taxonomy to categorize unique characteristics of AI-based technology that influence the interaction and have ethical implications for human workers. The completed taxonomy will support researchers in forming cumulative knowledge on the ethical implications of augmentation and assist practitioners in the ethical design and management of AI-based technology in knowledge work.}, language = {en} } @article{AgtheKayserSchwarzetal.2023, author = {Agthe, Maria and Kayser, Daniela Niesta and Schwarz, Sascha and Maner, Jon K.}, title = {Antecedents of the red-romance effect}, series = {PLOS ONE / Public Library of Science}, volume = {18}, journal = {PLOS ONE / Public Library of Science}, number = {4}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0284035}, pages = {19}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The color red has been implicated in a variety of social processes, including those involving mating. While previous research suggests that women sometimes wear red strategically to increase their attractiveness, the replicability of this literature has been questioned. The current research is a reasonably powered conceptual replication designed to strengthen this literature by testing whether women are more inclined to display the color red 1) during fertile (as compared with less fertile) days of the menstrual cycle, and 2) when expecting to interact with an attractive man (as compared with a less attractive man and with a control condition). Analyses controlled for a number of theoretically relevant covariates (relationship status, age, the current weather). Only the latter hypothesis received mixed support (mainly among women on hormonal birth control), whereas results concerning the former hypothesis did not reach significance. Women (N = 281) displayed more red when expecting to interact with an attractive man; findings did not support the prediction that women would increase their display of red on fertile days of the cycle. Findings thus suggested only mixed replicability for the link between the color red and psychological processes involving romantic attraction. They also illustrate the importance of further investigating the boundary conditions of color effects on everyday social processes.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmickerFruehlingMenzeetal.2023, author = {Schmicker, Marlen and Fr{\"u}hling, Insa and Menze, Inga and Glanz, Wenzel and M{\"u}ller, Patrick and Noesselt, Toemme and M{\"u}ller, Notger Germar}, title = {The potential role of gustatory function as an early diagnostic marker for the risk of alzheimer's disease in subjective cognitive decline}, series = {Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports : JADR}, volume = {7}, journal = {Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports : JADR}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOS Press}, address = {Clifton, VA}, issn = {2542-4823}, doi = {10.3233/ADR220092}, pages = {249 -- 262}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background: Patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) report memory deterioration and are at an increased risk of converting to Alzheimer's disease (AD) although psychophysical testing does not reveal any cognitive deficit. Objective: Here, gustatory function is investigated as a potential predictor for an increased risk of progressive cognitive decline indicating higher AD risk in SCD. Methods: Measures of smell and taste perception as well as neuropsychological data were assessed in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD): Subgroups with an increased likelihood of the progression to preclinical AD (SCD+) and those with a lower likelihood (SCD-) were compared to healthy controls (HC), patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD patients. The Sniffin' Sticks test contained 12 items with different qualities and taste was measured with 32 taste stripes (sweet, salty, bitter, sour) of different concentration. Results: Only taste was able to distinguish between HC/SCD- and SCD+ patients. Conclusion: This study provides a first hint of taste as a more sensitive marker than smell for detecting preclinical AD in SCD. Longitudinal observation of cognition and pathology are necessary to further evaluate taste perception as a predictor of pathological objective decline in cognition.}, language = {en} } @article{XiongDelicZengetal.2022, author = {Xiong, Yingquan and Delic, Denis and Zeng, Shufei and Chen, Xin and Chu, Chang and Hasan, Ahmed A. and Kr{\"a}mer, Bernhard K. and Klein, Thomas and Yin, Lianghong and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Regulation of SARS CoV-2 host factors in the kidney and heart in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy-effects of salt, ARB, DPP4 inhibitor and SGLT2 blocker}, series = {BMC nephrology}, volume = {23}, journal = {BMC nephrology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-2369}, doi = {10.1186/s12882-022-02747-1}, pages = {10}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Host factors such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane protease, serine-subtype-2 (TMPRSS2) are important factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical and pre-clinical studies demonstrated that RAAS-blocking agents can be safely used during a SARS-CoV-2 infection but it is unknown if DPP-4 inhibitors or SGLT2-blockers may promote COVID-19 by increasing the host viral entry enzymes ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Methods We investigated telmisartan, linagliptin and empagliflozin induced effects on renal and cardiac expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and key enzymes involved in RAAS (REN, AGTR2, AGT) under high-salt conditions in a non-diabetic experimental 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx) model. In the present study, the gene expression of Ace2, Tmprss2, Ren, Agtr2 and Agt was assessed with qRT-PCR and the protein expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 with immunohistochemistry in the following experimental groups: Sham + normal diet (ND) + placebo (PBO); 5/6Nx + ND + PBO; 5/6Nx + high salt-diet (HSD) + PBO; 5/6Nx + HSD + telmisartan; 5/6Nx + HSD + linagliptin; 5/6Nx + HSD + empagliflozin. Results In the kidney, the expression of Ace2 was not altered on mRNA level under disease and treatment conditions. The renal TMPRSS2 levels (mRNA and protein) were not affected, whereas the cardiac level was significantly increased in 5/6Nx rats. Intriguingly, the elevated TMPRSS2 protein expression in the heart was significantly normalized after treatment with telmisartan, linagliptin and empagliflozin. Conclusions Our study indicated that there is no upregulation regarding host factors potentially promoting SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into host cells when the SGLT2-blocker empagliflozin, telmisartan and the DPP4-inhibitor blocker linagliptin are used. The results obtained in a preclinical, experimental non-diabetic kidney failure model need confirmation in ongoing interventional clinical trials.}, language = {en} } @article{HeistermannFranckeScheiffeleetal.2023, author = {Heistermann, Maik and Francke, Till and Scheiffele, Lena and Petrova, Katya Dimitrova and Budach, Christian and Schr{\"o}n, Martin and Trost, Benjamin and Rasche, Daniel and G{\"u}ntner, Andreas and Doepper, Veronika and F{\"o}rster, Michael and K{\"o}hli, Markus and Angermann, Lisa and Antonoglou, Nikolaos and Zude, Manuela and Oswald, Sascha}, title = {Three years of soil moisture observations by a dense cosmic-ray neutron sensing cluster at an agricultural research site in north-east Germany}, series = {Earth system science data : ESSD}, volume = {15}, journal = {Earth system science data : ESSD}, number = {7}, publisher = {Copernics Publications}, address = {Katlenburg-Lindau}, issn = {1866-3508}, doi = {10.5194/essd-15-3243-2023}, pages = {3243 -- 3262}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) allows for the estimation of root-zone soil water content (SWC) at the scale of several hectares. In this paper, we present the data recorded by a dense CRNS network operated from 2019 to 2022 at an agricultural research site in Marquardt, Germany - the first multi-year CRNS cluster. Consisting, at its core, of eight permanently installed CRNS sensors, the cluster was supplemented by a wealth of complementary measurements: data from seven additional temporary CRNS sensors, partly co-located with the permanent ones; 27 SWC profiles (mostly permanent); two groundwater observation wells; meteorological records; and Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry (GNSS-R). Complementary to these continuous measurements, numerous campaign-based activities provided data by mobile CRNS roving, hyperspectral im-agery via UASs, intensive manual sampling of soil properties (SWC, bulk density, organic matter, texture, soil hydraulic properties), and observations of biomass and snow (cover, depth, and density). The unique temporal coverage of 3 years entails a broad spectrum of hydro-meteorological conditions, including exceptional drought periods and extreme rainfall but also episodes of snow coverage, as well as a dedicated irrigation experiment. Apart from serving to advance CRNS-related retrieval methods, this data set is expected to be useful for vari-ous disciplines, for example, soil and groundwater hydrology, agriculture, or remote sensing. Hence, we show exemplary features of the data set in order to highlight the potential for such subsequent studies. The data are available at doi.org/10.23728/b2share.551095325d74431881185fba1eb09c95 (Heistermann et al., 2022b).}, language = {en} } @article{ShamsWangRoineetal.2022, author = {Shams, Boshra and Wang, Ziqian and Roine, Timo and Aydogan, Dogu Baran and Vajkoczy, Peter and Lippert, Christoph and Picht, Thomas and Fekonja, Lucius Samo}, title = {Machine learning-based prediction of motor status in glioma patients using diffusion MRI metrics along the corticospinal tract}, series = {Brain communications}, volume = {4}, journal = {Brain communications}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {2632-1297}, doi = {10.1093/braincomms/fcac141}, pages = {17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Shams et al. report that glioma patients' motor status is predicted accurately by diffusion MRI metrics along the corticospinal tract based on support vector machine method, reaching an overall accuracy of 77\%. They show that these metrics are more effective than demographic and clinical variables. Along tract statistics enables white matter characterization using various diffusion MRI metrics. These diffusion models reveal detailed insights into white matter microstructural changes with development, pathology and function. Here, we aim at assessing the clinical utility of diffusion MRI metrics along the corticospinal tract, investigating whether motor glioma patients can be classified with respect to their motor status. We retrospectively included 116 brain tumour patients suffering from either left or right supratentorial, unilateral World Health Organization Grades II, III and IV gliomas with a mean age of 53.51 +/- 16.32 years. Around 37\% of patients presented with preoperative motor function deficits according to the Medical Research Council scale. At group level comparison, the highest non-overlapping diffusion MRI differences were detected in the superior portion of the tracts' profiles. Fractional anisotropy and fibre density decrease, apparent diffusion coefficient axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity increase. To predict motor deficits, we developed a method based on a support vector machine using histogram-based features of diffusion MRI tract profiles (e.g. mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness), following a recursive feature elimination method. Our model achieved high performance (74\% sensitivity, 75\% specificity, 74\% overall accuracy and 77\% area under the curve). We found that apparent diffusion coefficient, fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity contributed more than other features to the model. Incorporating the patient demographics and clinical features such as age, tumour World Health Organization grade, tumour location, gender and resting motor threshold did not affect the model's performance, revealing that these features were not as effective as microstructural measures. These results shed light on the potential patterns of tumour-related microstructural white matter changes in the prediction of functional deficits.}, language = {en} } @article{deCarvalhoSouzaBarrocasFischeretal.2023, author = {de Carvalho Souza, Alyson Matheus and Barrocas, Roberta and Fischer, Martin H. and Arnaud, Emanuel and Moeller, Korbinian and Renn{\´o}-Costa, C{\´e}sar}, title = {Combining virtual reality and tactile stimulation to investigate embodied finger-based numerical representations}, series = {Frontiers in psychology / Frontiers Research Foundation}, volume = {14}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology / Frontiers Research Foundation}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1119561}, pages = {13}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Finger-based representation of numbers is a high-level cognitive strategy to assist numerical and arithmetic processing in children and adults. It is unclear whether this paradigm builds on simple perceptual features or comprises several attributes through embodiment. Here we describe the development and initial testing of an experimental setup to study embodiment during a finger-based numerical task using Virtual Reality (VR) and a low-cost tactile stimulator that is easy to build. Using VR allows us to create new ways to study finger-based numerical representation using a virtual hand that can be manipulated in ways our hand cannot, such as decoupling tactile and visual stimuli. The goal is to present a new methodology that can allow researchers to study embodiment through this new approach, maybe shedding new light on the cognitive strategy behind the finger-based representation of numbers. In this case, a critical methodological requirement is delivering precisely targeted sensory stimuli to specific effectors while simultaneously recording their behavior and engaging the participant in a simulated experience. We tested the device's capability by stimulating users in different experimental configurations. Results indicate that our device delivers reliable tactile stimulation to all fingers of a participant's hand without losing motion tracking quality during an ongoing task. This is reflected by an accuracy of over 95\% in participants detecting stimulation of a single finger or multiple fingers in sequential stimulation as indicated by experiments with sixteen participants. We discuss possible application scenarios, explain how to apply our methodology to study the embodiment of finger-based numerical representations and other high-level cognitive functions, and discuss potential further developments of the device based on the data obtained in our testing.}, language = {en} } @article{StueblerKloftHuisinga2023, author = {St{\"u}bler, Sabine and Kloft, Charlotte and Huisinga, Wilhelm}, title = {Cell-level systems biology model to study inflammatory bowel diseases and their treatment options}, series = {CPT: pharmacometrics \& systems pharmacology}, volume = {12}, journal = {CPT: pharmacometrics \& systems pharmacology}, number = {5}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2163-8306}, doi = {10.1002/psp4.12932}, pages = {690 -- 705}, year = {2023}, abstract = {To help understand the complex and therapeutically challenging inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), we developed a systems biology model of the intestinal immune system that is able to describe main aspects of IBD and different treatment modalities thereof. The model, including key cell types and processes of the mucosal immune response, compiles a large amount of isolated experimental findings from literature into a larger context and allows for simulations of different inflammation scenarios based on the underlying data and assumptions. In the context of a large and diverse virtual IBD population, we characterized the patients based on their phenotype (in contrast to healthy individuals, they developed persistent inflammation after a trigger event) rather than on a priori assumptions on parameter differences to a healthy individual. This allowed to reproduce the enormous diversity of predispositions known to lead to IBD. Analyzing different treatment effects, the model provides insight into characteristics of individual drug therapy. We illustrate for anti-TNF-alpha therapy, how the model can be used (i) to decide for alternative treatments with best prospects in the case of nonresponse, and (ii) to identify promising combination therapies with other available treatment options.}, language = {en} } @article{KayaDupontNivetFrielingetal.2022, author = {Kaya, Mustafa Y{\"u}cel and Dupont-Nivet, Guillaume and Frieling, Joost and Fioroni, Chiara and Rohrmann, Alexander and Alt{\i}ner, Sevin{\c{c}} {\"O}zkan and Vardar, Ezgi and Tanyas, Hakan and Mamtimin, Mehmut and Zhaojie, Guo}, title = {The Eurasian epicontinental sea was an important carbon sink during the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum}, series = {Communications earth and environment}, volume = {3}, journal = {Communications earth and environment}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {2662-4435}, doi = {10.1038/s43247-022-00451-4}, pages = {10}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (ca. 56 million years ago) offers a primary analogue for future global warming and carbon cycle recovery. Yet, where and how massive carbon emissions were mitigated during this climate warming event remains largely unknown. Here we show that organic carbon burial in the vast epicontinental seaways that extended over Eurasia provided a major carbon sink during the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. We coupled new and existing stratigraphic analyses to a detailed paleogeographic framework and using spatiotemporal interpolation calculated ca. 720-1300 Gt organic carbon excess burial, focused in the eastern parts of the Eurasian epicontinental seaways. A much larger amount (2160-3900 Gt C, and when accounting for the increase in inundated shelf area 7400-10300 Gt C) could have been sequestered in similar environments globally. With the disappearance of most epicontinental seas since the Oligocene-Miocene, an effective negative carbon cycle feedback also disappeared making the modern carbon cycle critically dependent on the slower silicate weathering feedback.}, language = {en} } @article{vanSoestAleluiaReisBaptistaetal.2021, author = {van Soest, Heleen L. and Aleluia Reis, Lara and Baptista, Luiz Bernardo and Bertram, Christoph and Despr{\´e}s, Jacques and Drouet, Laurent and den Elzen, Michel and Fragkos, Panagiotis and Fricko, Oliver and Fujimori, Shinichiro and Grant, Neil and Harmsen, Mathijs and Iyer, Gokul and Keramidas, Kimon and K{\"o}berle, Alexandre C. and Kriegler, Elmar and Malik, Aman and Mittal, Shivika and Oshiro, Ken and Riahi, Keywan and Roelfsema, Mark and van Ruijven, Bas and Schaeffer, Roberto and Silva Herran, Diego and Tavoni, Massimo and {\"U}nl{\"u}, Gamze and Vandyck, Toon and van Vuuren, Detlef P.}, title = {Global roll-out of comprehensive policy measures may aid in bridging emissions gap}, series = {Nature communications}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nature communications}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK}, address = {London}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-021-26595-z}, pages = {10}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Closing the emissions gap between Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the global emissions levels needed to achieve the Paris Agreement's climate goals will require a comprehensive package of policy measures. National and sectoral policies can help fill the gap, but success stories in one country cannot be automatically replicated in other countries. They need to be adapted to the local context. Here, we develop a new Bridge scenario based on nationally relevant, short-term measures informed by interactions with country experts. These good practice policies are rolled out globally between now and 2030 and combined with carbon pricing thereafter. We implement this scenario with an ensemble of global integrated assessment models. We show that the Bridge scenario closes two-thirds of the emissions gap between NDC and 2 °C scenarios by 2030 and enables a pathway in line with the 2 °C goal when combined with the necessary long-term changes, i.e. more comprehensive pricing measures after 2030. The Bridge scenario leads to a scale-up of renewable energy (reaching 52\%-88\% of global electricity supply by 2050), electrification of end-uses, efficiency improvements in energy demand sectors, and enhanced afforestation and reforestation. Our analysis suggests that early action via good-practice policies is less costly than a delay in global climate cooperation.}, language = {en} } @article{YeZhangWarbyetal.2022, author = {Ye, Fangyuan and Zhang, Shuo and Warby, Jonathan and Wu, Jiawei and Gutierrez-Partida, Emilio and Lang, Felix and Shah, Sahil and Saglamkaya, Elifnaz and Sun, Bowen and Zu, Fengshuo and Shoai, Safa and Wang, Haifeng and Stiller, Burkhard and Neher, Dieter and Zhu, Wei-Hong and Stolterfoht, Martin and Wu, Yongzhen}, title = {Overcoming C₆₀-induced interfacial recombination in inverted perovskite solar cells by electron-transporting carborane}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {13}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-022-34203-x}, pages = {12}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Inverted perovskite solar cells still suffer from significant non-radiative recombination losses at the perovskite surface and across the perovskite/C₆₀ interface, limiting the future development of perovskite-based single- and multi-junction photovoltaics. Therefore, more effective inter- or transport layers are urgently required. To tackle these recombination losses, we introduce ortho-carborane as an interlayer material that has a spherical molecular structure and a three-dimensional aromaticity. Based on a variety of experimental techniques, we show that ortho-carborane decorated with phenylamino groups effectively passivates the perovskite surface and essentially eliminates the non-radiative recombination loss across the perovskite/C₆₀ interface with high thermal stability. We further demonstrate the potential of carborane as an electron transport material, facilitating electron extraction while blocking holes from the interface. The resulting inverted perovskite solar cells deliver a power conversion efficiency of over 23\% with a low non-radiative voltage loss of 110 mV, and retain >97\% of the initial efficiency after 400 h of maximum power point tracking. Overall, the designed carborane based interlayer simultaneously enables passivation, electron-transport and hole-blocking and paves the way toward more efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.}, language = {en} } @article{EhrigWagnerWolteretal.2023, author = {Ehrig, Lukas and Wagner, Ann-Christin and Wolter, Heike and Correll, Christoph U. and Geisel, Olga and Konigorski, Stefan}, title = {FASDetect as a machine learning-based screening app for FASD in youth with ADHD}, series = {npj Digital Medicine}, volume = {6}, journal = {npj Digital Medicine}, number = {1}, publisher = {Macmillan Publishers Limited}, address = {Basingstoke}, issn = {2398-6352}, doi = {10.1038/s41746-023-00864-1}, pages = {9}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Fetal alcohol-spectrum disorder (FASD) is underdiagnosed and often misdiagnosed as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we develop a screening tool for FASD in youth with ADHD symptoms. To develop the prediction model, medical record data from a German University outpatient unit are assessed including 275 patients aged 0-19 years old with FASD with or without ADHD and 170 patients with ADHD without FASD aged 0-19 years old. We train 6 machine learning models based on 13 selected variables and evaluate their performance. Random forest models yield the best prediction models with a cross-validated AUC of 0.92 (95\% confidence interval [0.84, 0.99]). Follow-up analyses indicate that a random forest model with 6 variables - body length and head circumference at birth, IQ, socially intrusive behaviour, poor memory and sleep disturbance - yields equivalent predictive accuracy. We implement the prediction model in a web-based app called FASDetect - a user-friendly, clinically scalable FASD risk calculator that is freely available at https://fasdetect.dhc-lab.hpi.de.}, language = {en} } @article{SlosarekIbingSchormairetal.2023, author = {Slosarek, Tamara and Ibing, Susanne and Schormair, Barbara and Heyne, Henrike and B{\"o}ttinger, Erwin and Andlauer, Till and Schurmann, Claudia}, title = {Implementation and evaluation of personal genetic testing as part of genomics analysis courses in German universities}, series = {BMC Medical Genomics}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Medical Genomics}, number = {1}, publisher = {BMC}, address = {London}, issn = {1755-8794}, doi = {10.1186/s12920-023-01503-0}, pages = {13}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Purpose Due to the increasing application of genome analysis and interpretation in medical disciplines, professionals require adequate education. Here, we present the implementation of personal genotyping as an educational tool in two genomics courses targeting Digital Health students at the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) and medical students at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Methods We compared and evaluated the courses and the students ' perceptions on the course setup using questionnaires. Results During the course, students changed their attitudes towards genotyping (HPI: 79\% [15 of 19], TUM: 47\% [25 of 53]). Predominantly, students became more critical of personal genotyping (HPI: 73\% [11 of 15], TUM: 72\% [18 of 25]) and most students stated that genetic analyses should not be allowed without genetic counseling (HPI: 79\% [15 of 19], TUM: 70\% [37 of 53]). Students found the personal genotyping component useful (HPI: 89\% [17 of 19], TUM: 92\% [49 of 53]) and recommended its inclusion in future courses (HPI: 95\% [18 of 19], TUM: 98\% [52 of 53]). Conclusion Students perceived the personal genotyping component as valuable in the described genomics courses. The implementation described here can serve as an example for future courses in Europe.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RieskampMirbabaieHofeditzetal.2023, author = {Rieskamp, Jonas and Mirbabaie, Milad and Hofeditz, Lennart and Vischedyk, Justin}, title = {Conversational agents and their influence on the well-being of cliniciansclinicians}, series = {ACIS 2023 proceedings}, booktitle = {ACIS 2023 proceedings}, publisher = {Australasian Association for Information Systems}, address = {Wellington}, pages = {16}, year = {2023}, abstract = {An increasing number of clinicians (i.e., nurses and physicians) suffer from mental health-related issues like depression and burnout. These, in turn, stress communication, collaboration, and decision- making—areas in which Conversational Agents (CAs) have shown to be useful. Thus, in this work, we followed a mixed-method approach and systematically analysed the literature on factors affecting the well-being of clinicians and CAs' potential to improve said well-being by relieving support in communication, collaboration, and decision-making in hospitals. In this respect, we are guided by Brigham et al. (2018)'s model of factors influencing well-being. Based on an initial number of 840 articles, we further analysed 52 papers in more detail and identified the influences of CAs' fields of application on external and individual factors affecting clinicians' well-being. As our second method, we will conduct interviews with clinicians and experts on CAs to verify and extend these influencing factors.}, language = {en} } @article{NumbergerGanzertZoccaratoetal.2019, author = {Numberger, Daniela and Ganzert, Lars and Zoccarato, Luca and M{\"u}hldorfer, Kristin and Sauer, Sascha and Grossart, Hans-Peter and Greenwood, Alex D.}, title = {Characterization of bacterial communities in wastewater with enhanced taxonomic resolution by full-length 16S rRNA sequencing}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-46015-z}, pages = {14}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Wastewater treatment is crucial to environmental hygiene in urban environments. However, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) collect chemicals, organic matter, and microorganisms including pathogens and multi-resistant bacteria from various sources which may be potentially released into the environment via WWTP effluent. To better understand microbial dynamics in WWTPs, we characterized and compared the bacterial community of the inflow and effluent of a WWTP in Berlin, Germany using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences, which allowed for species level determination in many cases and generally resolved bacterial taxa. Significantly distinct bacterial communities were identified in the wastewater inflow and effluent samples. Dominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) varied both temporally and spatially. Disease associated bacterial groups were efficiently reduced in their relative abundance from the effluent by the WWTP treatment process, except for Legionella and Leptospira species which demonstrated an increase in relative proportion from inflow to effluent. This indicates that WWTPs, while effective against enteric bacteria, may enrich and release other potentially pathogenic bacteria into the environment. The taxonomic resolution of full-length 16S rRNA genes allows for improved characterization of potential pathogenic taxa and other harmful bacteria which is required to reliably assess health risk.}, language = {en} } @article{KupferBauervanRoesteletal.2022, author = {Kupfer, Thomas and Bauer, Evan B. and van Roestel, Jan and Bellm, Eric C. and Bildsten, Lars and Fuller, Jim and Prince, Thomas A. and Heber, Ulrich and Geier, Stephan and Green, Matthew J. and Kulkarni, Shrinivas R. and Bloemen, Steven and Laher, Russ R. and Rusholme, Ben and Schneider, David}, title = {Discovery of a Double-detonation Thermonuclear Supernova Progenitor}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, volume = {925}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {2041-8205}, doi = {10.3847/2041-8213/ac48f1}, pages = {10}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We present the discovery of a new double-detonation progenitor system consisting of a hot subdwarf B (sdB) binary with a white dwarf companion with a P (orb) = 76.34179(2) minutes orbital period. Spectroscopic observations are consistent with an sdB star during helium core burning residing on the extreme horizontal branch. Chimera light curves are dominated by ellipsoidal deformation of the sdB star and a weak eclipse of the companion white dwarf. Combining spectroscopic and light curve fits, we find a low-mass sdB star, M (sdB) = 0.383 +/- 0.028 M (circle dot) with a massive white dwarf companion, M (WD) = 0.725 +/- 0.026 M (circle dot). From the eclipses we find a blackbody temperature for the white dwarf of 26,800 K resulting in a cooling age of approximate to 25 Myr whereas our MESA model predicts an sdB age of approximate to 170 Myr. We conclude that the sdB formed first through stable mass transfer followed by a common envelope which led to the formation of the white dwarf companion approximate to 25 Myr ago. Using the MESA stellar evolutionary code we find that the sdB star will start mass transfer in approximate to 6 Myr and in approximate to 60 Myr the white dwarf will reach a total mass of 0.92 M (circle dot) with a thick helium layer of 0.17 M (circle dot). This will lead to a detonation that will likely destroy the white dwarf in a peculiar thermonuclear supernova. PTF1 J2238+7430 is only the second confirmed candidate for a double-detonation thermonuclear supernova. Using both systems we estimate that at least approximate to 1\% of white dwarf thermonuclear supernovae originate from sdB+WD binaries with thick helium layers, consistent with the small number of observed peculiar thermonuclear explosions.}, language = {en} } @article{PalmerGregoryBaggeetal.2020, author = {Palmer, Matthew D. and Gregory, Jonathan and Bagge, Meike and Calvert, Daley and Hagedoorn, Jan Marius and Howard, Tom and Klemann, Volker and Lowe, Jason A. and Roberts, Chris and Slangen, Aimee B. A. and Spada, Giorgio}, title = {Exploring the drivers of global and local sea-level change over the 21st century and beyond}, series = {Earth's future}, volume = {8}, journal = {Earth's future}, number = {9}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2328-4277}, doi = {10.1029/2019EF001413}, pages = {1 -- 25}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We present a new set of global and local sea-level projections at example tide gauge locations under the RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 emissions scenarios. Compared to the CMIP5-based sea-level projections presented in IPCC AR5, we introduce a number of methodological innovations, including (i) more comprehensive treatment of uncertainties, (ii) direct traceability between global and local projections, and (iii) exploratory extended projections to 2300 based on emulation of individual CMIP5 models. Combining the projections with observed tide gauge records, we explore the contribution to total variance that arises from sea-level variability, different emissions scenarios, and model uncertainty. For the period out to 2300 we further breakdown the model uncertainty by sea-level component and consider the dependence on geographic location, time horizon, and emissions scenario. Our analysis highlights the importance of local variability for sea-level change in the coming decades and the potential value of annual-to-decadal predictions of local sea-level change. Projections to 2300 show a substantial degree of committed sea-level rise under all emissions scenarios considered and highlight the reduced future risk associated with RCP2.6 and RCP4.5 compared to RCP8.5. Tide gauge locations can show large ( > 50\%) departures from the global average, in some cases even reversing the sign of the change. While uncertainty in projections of the future Antarctic ice dynamic response tends to dominate post-2100, we see substantial differences in the breakdown of model variance as a function of location, time scale, and emissions scenario.}, language = {en} } @article{GarbulowskiSmolinskaCabuketal.2022, author = {Garbulowski, Mateusz and Smolinska, Karolina and {\c{C}}abuk, Uğur and Yones, Sara A. and Celli, Ludovica and Yaz, Esma Nur and Barrenas, Fredrik and Diamanti, Klev and Wadelius, Claes and Komorowski, Jan}, title = {Machine learning-based analysis of glioma grades reveals co-enrichment}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {14}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers14041014}, pages = {19}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Simple Summary Gliomas are heterogenous types of cancer, therefore the therapy should be personalized and targeted toward specific pathways. We developed a methodology that corrected strong batch effects from The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets and estimated glioma grade-specific co-enrichment mechanisms using machine learning. Our findings created hypotheses for annotations, e.g., pathways, that should be considered as therapeutic targets. Gliomas develop and grow in the brain and central nervous system. Examining glioma grading processes is valuable for improving therapeutic challenges. One of the most extensive repositories storing transcriptomics data for gliomas is The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). However, such big cohorts should be processed with caution and evaluated thoroughly as they can contain batch and other effects. Furthermore, biological mechanisms of cancer contain interactions among biomarkers. Thus, we applied an interpretable machine learning approach to discover such relationships. This type of transparent learning provides not only good predictability, but also reveals co-predictive mechanisms among features. In this study, we corrected the strong and confounded batch effect in the TCGA glioma data. We further used the corrected datasets to perform comprehensive machine learning analysis applied on single-sample gene set enrichment scores using collections from the Molecular Signature Database. Furthermore, using rule-based classifiers, we displayed networks of co-enrichment related to glioma grades. Moreover, we validated our results using the external glioma cohorts. We believe that utilizing corrected glioma cohorts from TCGA may improve the application and validation of any future studies. Finally, the co-enrichment and survival analysis provided detailed explanations for glioma progression and consequently, it should support the targeted treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{IlicicWoodhouseKarstenetal.2022, author = {Ilicic, Doris and Woodhouse, Jason Nicholas and Karsten, Ulf and Zimmermann, Jonas and Wichard, Thomas and Quartino, Maria Liliana and Campana, Gabriela Laura and Livenets, Alexandra and Van den Wyngaert, Silke and Grossart, Hans-Peter}, title = {Antarctic Glacial Meltwater Impacts the Diversity of Fungal Parasites Associated With Benthic Diatoms in Shallow Coastal Zones}, series = {Frontiers in microbiology}, journal = {Frontiers in microbiology}, number = {13}, publisher = {Frontiers Media}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-302X}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2022.805694}, pages = {12}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Aquatic ecosystems are frequently overlooked as fungal habitats, although there is increasing evidence that their diversity and ecological importance are greater than previously considered. Aquatic fungi are critical and abundant components of nutrient cycling and food web dynamics, e.g., exerting top-down control on phytoplankton communities and forming symbioses with many marine microorganisms. However, their relevance for microphytobenthic communities is almost unexplored. In the light of global warming, polar regions face extreme changes in abiotic factors with a severe impact on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Therefore, this study aimed to describe, for the first time, fungal diversity in Antarctic benthic habitats along the salinity gradient and to determine the co-occurrence of fungal parasites with their algal hosts, which were dominated by benthic diatoms. Our results reveal that Ascomycota and Chytridiomycota are the most abundant fungal taxa in these habitats. We show that also in Antarctic waters, salinity has a major impact on shaping not just fungal but rather the whole eukaryotic community composition, with a diversity of aquatic fungi increasing as salinity decreases. Moreover, we determined correlations between putative fungal parasites and potential benthic diatom hosts, highlighting the need for further systematic analysis of fungal diversity along with studies on taxonomy and ecological roles of Chytridiomycota.}, language = {en} }