A Design Space Exploration of Creative Concepts for Care Robots: Questioning the Differentiation of Social and Physical Assistance

In an interdisciplinary project, creative concepts for care robotics were developed. To explore the design space that these open up, we discussed them along the common differentiation of physical (effective) and social-emotional assistance. Trying to rate concepts on these dimensions frequently raised questions regarding the relation between the social-emotional and the physical, and highlighted gaps and a lack of conceptual clarity. We here present our design concepts, report on our discussion, and summarize our insights; in particular we suggest that the social and the physical dimension of care technologies should always be thought of and designed as interrelated

Extracorporal membranoxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - association of common and ARDS specific criteria with mortality

Das Akute Lungenversagen stellt ein schweres Krankheitsbild dar. Wir führten eine retrospektive Analyse an 25 Patienten durch, die einer Extrakorporalen Membranoxygenierung aufgrund eines akuten Lungenversagens zugeführt wurden. Allgemeine und ARDS-spezifische Kriterien und die Schwere des ARDS schienen keinen Einfluss auf einen Therapieerfolg zu haben. Die Mehrzahl der nicht-überlebenden Patienten verstarb an einem Multiorganversagen und nicht an einer Hypoxämie.Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung disease. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 25 patients, who recieved extracorporal membrane oxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Common and ARDS-specific criteria, and the severity of ARDS seemed to have no influence on the outcome.The majority of nonsurvivors among ECMO patients died from multi-organ-failure and not from hypoxemia. Mortality was high, but was comparable to other centers

Integrierte Roboterentwicklung für die Pflege: Konzeptionelle und praktische Herausforderungen am Beispiel ReThiCare

Innovation agendas for care are increasingly flanked by demands for participatory and transdisciplinary approaches. However, especially in care robotics, it is difficult to shift the focus to early involvement of people and lifeworlds. We present the integrated methodology of a care robotics project and introduce inter- and transdisciplinary steps that help open up the development process even in an early project phase and adapt goals for robotic concepts to needs. We then discuss these steps in terms of their conceptual and practical research challenges.Innovationsagenden für die Pflege werden zunehmend von Forderungen nach partizipativen und transdisziplinären Ansätzen flankiert. Insbesondere in der Pflegerobotik ist es jedoch schwierig, den Fokus auf eine frühzeitige Einbindung von Menschen und Lebenswelten zu verschieben. Wir präsentieren die integrierte Methodologie eines Pflegerobotikprojekts und stellen inter- und transdisziplinäre Arbeitsschritte vor, die helfen, auch in einer frühen Projektphase den Entwicklungsprozess zu öffnen und Zielstellungen für robotische Konzepte an Bedürfnisse anzupassen. Anschließend diskutieren wir diese Schritte im Hinblick auf ihre konzeptionellen und forschungspraktischen Herausforderungen

Conversion of Xylose into D-Xylitol using Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation with Formic Acid as H-Donor

d-Xylitol, a biomass-derived sweetener, is increasingly used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. The raw material for d-xylitol production, d-xylose, is easily accessible from dissolving pulp production. d-xylitol production involves the heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of d-xylose; this process is energy intensive, as the use of H2 requires high pressure and temperature. This work examined catalytic transfer hydrogenation for xylose conversion into xylitol. Formic acid (FA) was used to replace H2 as the H-donor, as it is easily available, inexpensive, may be obtained from renewable sources, and it avoids the risks associated with the use of high-pressure inflammable gas. A variety of commercially available catalysts were screened to reveal the one enabling the highest yield. The experiments were performed at 40, 80, and 140 °C, with pure xylose as a model compound. Triethylamine (Et3N) was added to ensure sufficient conversion rates. Based on the preliminary studies an experimental design was created (Design Expert®), including the two best performing catalysts Ru/Al2O3 and Ru/C, to investigate the influence of temperature and H-donor and base concentration on xylitol yield. Ru/C resulted in maximum d-xylitol yield of 73.2 % at 100 °C, FA to d-xylose ratio 5:1 and Et3N to FA ratio 0.4

Implicit Cognitions, Use Expectancies and Gratification in Social-Networks-Use Disorder and Tobacco Use Disorder

Abstract: Aims: The problematic use of social networks is discussed as a further specific type of Internet-use disorders. Our project aims to clarify whether social-networks-use disorder (SNUD) is marked by characteristics of addictive behaviors by tracking behavior and investigating the relevance of 1) implicit cognitions, 2) the experiences of gratification and compensation and 3) use expectancies in SNUD compared to tobacco-use disorder. Methodology: Four groups will be examined: individuals with 1) SNUD without tobacco use, 2) risky use patterns with regard to social networks without tobacco use, 3) tobacco use disorder and 4) healthy controls. All participants first complete a laboratory examination including the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and the Approach-Avoidance task (AAT). We will use smartphone-based data tracking for 14 days following laboratory testing to record smoking and social-networks-use patterns. During this period, we further measure use expectancies and the experience of gratification and compensation by means of a smartphone-based experience sampling method (ESM). Conclusions: This is the first study to examine relevant characteristics of addictive behaviors in individuals with SNUD compared to individuals with tobacco use, using a combination of experimental psychological methods and smartphone-based measurements. We expect that this investigative approach will contribute to a deeper understanding of the processes involved in SNUD

Vaccine-hesitant individuals accumulate additional COVID-19 risk due to divergent perception and behaviors related to SARS-CoV-2 testing: a population-based, cross-sectional study

Purpose To investigate the perception of SARS-CoV-2 detection methods, information sources, and opinions on appropriate behavior after receiving negative or positive test results. Methods In a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study conducted between September 1 and November 17, 2021, epidemiological, behavioral, and COVID-19-related data were acquired from the public in Munich, Germany. Results Most of the 1388 participants obtained information from online media (82.8%) as well as state and federal authorities (80.3%). 93.4% believed in the accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and 41.2% in the accuracy of rapid antigen tests (RATs). However, RATs were preferred for testing (59.1%) over PCR (51.1%). 24.0% of all individuals were willing to ignore hygiene measures and 76.9% were less afraid of SARS-CoV-2 transmission after receiving a negative PCR test (5.9% and 48.8% in case of a negative RAT). 28.8% reported not to self-isolate after receiving a positive RAT. Multivariate analyses revealed that non-vaccinated individuals relied less on information from governmental authorities (p = 0.0004) and more on social media (p = 0.0216), disbelieved in the accuracy of the PCR test (p <= 0.0001) while displaying strong preference towards using RATs (p <= 0.0001), were more willing to abandon pandemic-related hygiene measures (p <= 0.0001), less afraid of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 after a negative RAT (p <= 0.0001), and less likely to isolate after a positive RAT (p <= 0.0001). Conclusion Insights into preferred information sources as well as perception, preferences, and behavior related to SARS-CoV-2 testing and hygiene measures are key to refining public health information and surveillance campaigns. Non-vaccinated individuals' divergent believes and behaviors possibly increase their COVID-19 risk

Early response of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius to nutrient limitation

In natural environments microorganisms encounter extreme changes in temperature, pH, osmolarities and nutrient availability. The stress response of many bacterial species has been described in detail, however, knowledge in Archaea is limited. Here, we describe the cellular response triggered by nutrient limitation in the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. We measured changes in gene transcription and protein abundance upon nutrient depletion up to 4 h after initiation of nutrient depletion. Transcript levels of 1118 of 2223 protein coding genes and abundance of approximately 500 proteins with functions in almost all cellular processes were affected by nutrient depletion. Our study reveals a significant rerouting of the metabolism with respect to degradation of internal as well as extracellular-bound organic carbon and degradation of proteins. Moreover, changes in membrane lipid composition were observed in order to access alternative sources of energy and to maintain pH homeostasis. At transcript level, the cellular response to nutrient depletion in S. acidocaldarius seems to be controlled by the general transcription factors TFB2 and TFEβ. In addition, ribosome biogenesis is reduced, while an increased protein degradation is accompanied with a loss of protein quality control. This study provides first insights into the early cellular response of Sulfolobus to organic carbon and organic nitrogen depletion

A Design Space Exploration of Creative Concepts for Care Robots: Questioning the Differentiation of Social and Physical Assistance

In an interdisciplinary project, creative concepts for care robotics were developed. To explore the design space that these open up, we discussed them along the common differentiation of physical (effective) and social-emotional assistance. Trying to rate concepts on these dimensions frequently raised questions regarding the relation between the social-emotional and the physical, and highlighted gaps and a lack of conceptual clarity. We here present our design concepts, report on our discussion, and summarize our insights; in particular we suggest that the social and the physical dimension of care technologies should always be thought of and designed as interrelated