Short-term-outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membranes treated with pars-planavitrectomy – examination of visual function and OCT-morphology

Background: Epiretinal membranes (ERM) represent one of the most common findings in retinal examination. Structural changes of the retinal layers in patients with ERM can be visualized and classified using OCT. The purpose of this study is to evaluate structural and functional changes related to surgical treatment of ERM. Methods: Monocentric retrospective analysis of 92 patients who underwent 23-gauge-pars plana vitrectomy (ppV) combined with cataract surgery for idiopathic ERM from 2015 to 2020. Visual acuity was determined directly preoperatively, at four weeks and three months postoperatively. Disease stage and tomographic biomarkers related to ERM were assessed in OCT imaging. Results: 92 eyes of 92 patients were included. At the time of surgery, the mean patient age was 71 years. Visual acuity improved significantly by 2 lines postoperatively, on average from LogMar 0.4 to 0.2 (p < 0.001). Disease stage regressed from stage 3 to stage 2 postoperatively (p < 0.001). No patient had stage 4 postoperatively (n = 0). In the presence of preoperative intraretinal fluid, mean retinal thickness was 488 μm and decreased to 392 μm postoperatively (n = 32; p < 0.001). Preoperative presence of a Cotton Ball Sign (n = 30) was associated with better visual acuity (p = 0.009). This was also visible in patients with preoperative vitreomacular traction syndrome (p < 0.001). The presence of preoperative intraretinal fluid showed a tendency towards better disease staging after surgery (p = 0.080). Conclusion: Surgery was able to achieve visual improvement and morphological regression of the preoperative OCT findings related to ERM. ppV led to a reduction in retinal thickness and disease stage. The presence of the Cotton Ball Sign and vitreomacular traction was associated with better visual acuity in the follow-up period. In our cohort the preoperative presence of intraretinal fluid showed a tendency for better postoperative disease staging

Molecular identification of polymorphic transposable elements in populations of the invasive ant Cardiocondyla obscurior

Transposable elements (TEs) are found in virtually every eukaryotic genome and are important for generating de novo genetic variation. However, outside of costly and time-consuming whole-genome sequencing approaches, the set of available methods to study TE polymorphisms in non-model species is very limited. The Transposon Display (TD) is a simple yet effective technique to characterize polymorphisms across samples by identifying amplified fragment length polymorphisms using primers targeting specific TE families. So far, this technique has almost exclusively been used in plants. Here, we present an optimized TD protocol for insect species with small genomes such as ants (ca. 200–600 Mb). We characterized TE polymorphisms between two distinct genetic lineages of the invasive ant 'Cardiocondyla obscurior', as well as between neighboring populations of the New World lineage. We found active LTR/Ty3 retrotransposons, that contributed to the genetic diversification of populations in this species

Der Glaubenssinn:Begründung – Beschreibung – Beurteilung – Beziehungen

Was ist die Rolle der Gläubigen in der Kirche und welchen Beitrag können sie zum Glaubensverständnis leisten? In der Diskussion dazu wird häufig auf den Glaubenssinn (sensus fidei) der Gläubigen verwiesen, der jedoch kein eindeutig geklärter Ausdruck ist. Darum wird in der Studie dessen Profil geschärft, indem ein systematisch-theologisches Gesamtkonzept des Glaubenssinns herausgearbeitet wird. Es entsteht ein strukturiertes Bild und ein klareres Verständnis des Glaubenssinns, indem der Glaubenssinn vom Wirken des Heiligen Geistes her konturiert, in seinem praktischen Vollzug ausführlich beschrieben, seine inhaltliche Ausrichtung bestimmt, die Bedeutung der Glaubensverständnisse der einzelnen Gläubigen begründet, die Erhebung des Glaubenssinns besprochen, das Konsensverständnis zur Feststellung des gemeinsamen, unfehlbaren Glaubens korrigiert sowie Kriterien dafür aufgezeigt werden. Es wird konsequent von der Offenbarung her argumentiert, die als Grund, Gehalt und Kriterium des Glaubens und somit auch des Glaubenssinns erwiesen und angewendet wird. Dadurch können offene Fragen geklärt, verschiedene Einseitigkeiten korrigiert und ein ausgewogenes sowie realitätsnahes und realisierbares Konzept gezeichnet werden

A priori bounds for the dynamic fractional Φ⁴ model in the full subcritical regime

In dieser Dissertation erhalten wir a-priori-Schranken für das dynamische fraktionale phi4-Modell auf dem dreidimensionalen Torus im vollständig subkritischen Regime unter Verwendung des Rahmens der Regularitätsstrukturen von Hairer. Unter der Annahme von Modellschranken implizieren diese Abschätzungen die globale Existenz von Lösungen sowie die Existenz eines invarianten Maßes. Wir erweitern die von Chandra, Moinat und Weber für den gewöhnlichen Wärmeleitungsoperator entwickelte Methode auf den fraktionalen Wärmeleitungsoperator und behandeln damit ein physikalisch relevanteres Modell. Ein zentrales Element dieser Arbeit ist die Entwicklung lokalisierter multilevel Schauder-Abschätzungen für den fraktionalen Wärmeleitungsoperator, die in Hairers ursprünglicher Arbeit nicht enthalten sind. Darüber hinaus werden die algebraischen Argumente von Chandra, Moinat und Weber deutlich gestrafft. Wir erhalten außerdem a-priori-Abschätzungen für das fraktionale phi4-Modell in zwei Dimensionen im Da Prato-Debussche-Regime und fügen die notwendigen stochastischen Abschätzungen für diesen Rahmen hinzu.In this thesis we obtain a priori bounds for the dynamic fractional phi4 model on the three dimensional torus in the full subcritical regime using the framework of Hairer's regularity structures. Assuming the model bounds, these estimates imply global existence of solutions and existence of an invariant measure. We extend the method developed for the usual heat operator by Chandra, Moinat and Weber to the fractional heat operator, thereby treating a more physically relevant model. A key ingredient in this work is the development of localised multilevel Schauder estimates for the fractional heat operator which is not covered in Hairer's original work. Furthermore, the algebraic arguments from Chandra, Moinat and Weber are streamlined significantly. We also obtain a priori estimates for the fractional phi4 model on two dimensions in the Da Prato-Debussche regime, and include the necessary stochastic estimates for this setting

The Long-Lasting Exhumation History of the Ötztal-Stubai Complex (Eastern European Alps): New Constraints from Zircon (U–Th)/He Age-Elevation Profiles and Thermokinematic Modeling

The Eastern European Alps formed during two orogenic cycles, which took place in the Cretaceous and Cenozoic, respectively. In the Ötztal-Stubai Complex—a thrust sheet of Variscan basement and Permo-Mesozoic cover rocks—the record of the first (Eoalpine) orogeny is well preserved because during the second (Alpine) orogeny, the complex remained largely undeformed. Here, new zircon (U–Th)/He (ZHe) ages are presented, and thermokinematic modeling is applied to decipher the cooling and exhumation histories of the central part of the Ötztal-Stubai Complex since the Late Cretaceous. The ZHe ages from two elevation profiles increase over a vertical distance of 1500 m from 56 ± 3 to 69 ± 3 Ma (Stubaital) and from 50 ± 2 to 71 ± 4 Ma (Kaunertal), respectively. These ZHe ages and a few published zircon and apatite fission track ages were used for inverse thermokinematic modeling. The modeling results show that the age data are well reproduced with a three-phase exhumation history. The first phase with relatively fast exhumation (~250 m/Myr) during the Late Cretaceous ended at ~70 Ma and is interpreted to reflect the erosion of the Eoalpine mountain belt. As Late Cretaceous normal faults occur at the margins of the Ötztal-Stubai Complex, normal faulting may have also contributed to the exhumation of the study area. Subsequently, a long period with slow exhumation (<10 m/Myr) prevailed until ~16 Ma. This long-lasting phase of slow exhumation suggests a rather low topography with little relief in the Ötztal-Stubai Complex until the mid-Miocene, even though the Alpine orogeny had already begun in the Eocene with the subduction of the European continental margin. Accelerated exhumation since the mid-Miocene (~230 m/Myr) is interpreted to reflect the erosion of the mountain belt due to the development of high topography in front of the Adriatic indenter and repeated glaciations during the Quaternary

Ideations of social sustainability? Concepts and cleavages of cohesion in Germany

The UN 2030 Agenda calls for the development and promotion of societies that pursue not only ecological and economic, but also socio-political sustainability goals. Yet, the political as well as academic discourse on that is marginal. Conducting an empirical case study in Germany, this article examines existing political ideations about societal integration and thus cohesion and discusses ideational obstacles to the development of a socially sustainable society. First, the concept of ideations is made accessible for empirical analysis by distinguishing cognitive and affective elements with symbolic, sentimental, programmatical and ideological foundations. The focus is not on the implementation of specific policies, but on the negotiation processes of the ideational foundations of integration governance. The following critical discourse analysis elaborates central aspects of ‘constitutional patriotism' and ‘Leitkultur.' It traces their emergence and characteristics and thereby reveals how different historical contexts and political interests of the actors influence the emergence and dissemination of ideations. Furthermore, it demonstrates how formerly opposing positions converge, emphasizing the impact of ideational processes on changing governance trends. Subsequently, inherent elements of cultural racism and hegemony, religion and ‘values,' and emotion politics are critically discussed as obstacles to developing decolonial ideations about integration. Accordingly, the widespread appreciation of patriotism and national pride as a foundation for successful integration is questioned. The conclusion diagnoses that republican elements are gaining influence with the tendency to individualize, paternalize, and depoliticize integration. Shared cognitive and emotional ideations are intended to ensure support for democracy, but the extent to which these policies themselves exhibit undemocratic tendencies must be critically observed. The two ideations examined are therefore not or only partially suitable for promoting social sustainability

Harmonic morphisms, eigenfamilies, and symmetry

Diese Dissertation behandelt harmonische Morphismen, Eigenfamilien und Minimalflächen. Wir entwickeln neue Reduktionstheoreme für harmonische Morphismen und zeigen, dass sie genau die horizontal konformen Abbildungen sind, die bestimmte minimale Untermannigfaltigkeiten zurückziehen. Außerdem analysieren wir globale und infinitesimale Bedingungen für weitere Kodimensionen. Es folgt eine Strukturtheorie für Eigenfamilien auf kompakten Riemannschen Mannigfaltigkeiten. Weiter untersuchen wir polynomielle harmonische Morphismen zwischen euklidischen Räumen. Neue Beispiele und Klassifikationen in niedrigen Dimensionen werden präsentiert. Abschließend wenden wir unsere Theoreme an, um neue minimale Kegel zu erzeugen

Classification of age groups and task conditions provides additional evidence for differences in electrophysiological correlates of inhibitory control across the lifespan

The aim of this study was to extend previous findings on selective attention over a lifetime using machine learning procedures. By decoding group membership and stimulus type, we aimed to study differences in the neural representation of inhibitory control across age groups at a single-trial level. We re-analyzed data from 211 subjects from six age groups between 8 and 83 years of age. Based on single-trial EEG recordings during a flanker task, we used support vector machines to predict the age group as well as to determine the presented stimulus type (i.e., congruent, or incongruent stimulus). The classification of group membership was highly above chance level (accuracy: 55%, chance level: 17%). Early EEG responses were found to play an important role, and a grouped pattern of classification performance emerged corresponding to age structure. There was a clear cluster of individuals after retirement, i.e., misclassifications mostly occurred within this cluster. The stimulus type could be classified above chance level in ~ 95% of subjects. We identified time windows relevant for classification performance that are discussed in the context of early visual attention and conflict processing. In children and older adults, a high variability and latency of these time windows were found. We were able to demonstrate differences in neuronal dynamics at the level of individual trials. Our analysis was sensitive to mapping gross changes, e.g., at retirement age, and to differentiating components of visual attention across age groups, adding value for the diagnosis of cognitive status across the lifespan. Overall, the results highlight the use of machine learning in the study of brain activity over a lifetime

A magnetic resonance imaging based radiomics model to predict mitosis cycles in intracranial meningioma

The aim of this study was to develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based radiomics model to predict mitosis cycles in intracranial meningioma grading prior to surgery. Preoperative contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1CE) cerebral MRI data of 167 meningioma patients between 2015 and 2020 were obtained, preprocessed and segmented using the 3D Slicer software and the PyRadiomics plugin. In total 145 radiomics features of the T1CE MRI images were computed. The criterion on the basis of which the feature selection was made is whether the number of mitoses per 10 high power field (HPF) is greater than or equal to zero. Our analyses show that machine learning algorithms can be used to make accurate predictions about whether the number of mitoses per 10 HPF is greater than or equal to zero. We obtained our best model using Ridge regression for feature pre-selection, followed by stepwise logistic regression for final model construction. Using independent test data, this model resulted in an AUC (Area under the Curve) of 0.8523, an accuracy of 0.7941, a sensitivity of 0.8182, a specificity of 0.7500 and a Cohen’s Kappa of 0.5576. We analyzed the performance of this model as a function of the number of mitoses per 10 HPF. The model performs well for cases with zero mitoses as well as for cases with more than one mitosis per 10 HPF. The worst model performance (accuracy = 0.6250) is obtained for cases with one mitosis per 10 HPF. Our results show that MRI-based radiomics may be a promising approach to predict the mitosis cycles in intracranial meningioma prior to surgery. Specifically, our approach may offer a non-invasive means of detecting the early stages of a malignant process in meningiomas prior to the onset of clinical symptoms