How political organisations can become more attractive to young adults

This article deals with the relationship between the attractiveness of political parties and the younger generation. A recent survey of the attitudes of 15 to 25 year-olds revealed that young people are both interested in political issues and willing to assume responsibility through participation. Due to the increasing individualisation in our society, the offers of political organisations must match the needs of the younger generation. Lesser options should be developed that offer a multitude of opportunities in different spheres of participation, and these options must be carried into the relevant media of young people with sufficient information. An instrument in the form of an evaluation model is offered to the political organisations to help them excercise control

RO-Crate Time Series Exporter for the Building Consumption Data of KIT Campus North

The facility management (FM) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) operates an infrastructure for measuring energy consumption to invoice other organizational units within KIT for the energy consumed. For this purpose, the measuring infrastructure automatically records and stores the energy consumption of all buildings on Campus North at a resolution of 15 minutes. The recorded and stored consumption comprises different energy types, namely electricity, gas, heat, water (warm, cooling, drinking, and several kinds of wastewater), and compressed air. Since this measurement infrastructure is already in operation since 2006, the consumption data stored as time series meanwhile cover a long period of time. The covered period of time makes these energy consumption time series highly interesting for the energy research community, especially for energy researchers at KIT. However, accessing the data is challenging. While the original infrastructure was designed for single-user access and limited data throughput, it now faces multiple users and high data throughput. Moreover, since the used technology does not scale with the ever-growing data volumes, FM finally updated the data infrastructure. However, despite improvements with regard to performance, the new data infrastructure brings new challenges, including data only partially moved to the new infrastructure. For this reason, retrieving time series whose time range spans data from both old and new infrastructure requires a researcher to write queries for both database systems, which in turn requires knowing the complicated logic of the used schemas of both databases. Even if a researcher successfully queried such a time series, she needs further queries to allow measurement units, measurement quantities, and scaling factors to be included in the interpretation of the data. Given both this challenging data access and the increasing interest in the data, we started to simplify the process of data querying by developing a web service with a simple REST (Fielding, 2000) interface. This interface allows researchers to query data in a unified way, without requiring any knowledge about the underlying databases and thereby lowering the hurdles of accessing the data. The interface requires only a time range, a list of buildings, and energy types as inputs and returns a ZIP file including the time series as CSV files and an RO-Crate (Soiland-Reyes et al., 2022) metadata file in JSON. The metadata file fully describes the requested energy consumption time series by using the RO-Crate data package standard with an extended, in-house developed profile for time series description. This RO-Crate metadata file enables an interpretation of the obtained data without any prior knowledge and reduces the burden on researchers to publish the data according to good scientific practice. Since a lot of research using energy consumption data benefits from including exogenous influences such as weather (Dannecker, 2015 & Haben et al., 2023), the developed web service also allows obtaining weather time series for the specified time range, which again is described in the RO-Crate metadata file. The present poster shows the steps taken to develop the web service: It starts with the analysis of the original database schemas, before it describes the agreement on the required information resulting in a shared database schema. The poster continues with the transformation of the original data into the shared schema that builds the data foundation of the service. Next, the poster presents the creation of the time series profile, the standards and vocabularies, the used technologies to develop the service, and the challenges during the development of the software. The poster concludes with an outlook on planned improvements and extensions of the developed web service

Transistorteller für Gleichstromantriebe von Elektrofahrzeugen

Zur Steuerung der Antriebsleistung von batteriegespeisten Fahrzeugen werden auch in Zukunft, besonders im Bereich kleiner Batteriespannungen, Parallelschaltungen von Leistungsbauelementen erforderlich sein. Durch den Vergleich von zwei Varianten der Parallelschaltung von Leistungstransistoren konnte nachgewiesen werden, daß die Parallelschaltung kompletter Module, bestehend aus einem oder mehreren parallel geschalteten Leistungstransistoren, einer Freilaufdiode und einem Zwischenkreiskondensator, hinsichtlich der Schaltverluste bei Einhaltung des sicheren Arbeitsbereiches der Leistungstransistoren günstiger ist als die Parallelschaltung von einzelnen Leistungstransistoren. Mit Hilfe der rechnergestützten Simulation können die Bauelementebeanspruchungen berechnet und erforderliche Schutzbeschaltungen ausgelegt werden. Die Schaltungsunterlagen für die Transistorsteller können von der Technischen Hochschule Ilmenau, Sektion Elektrotechnik zur Nachnutzung zur Verfügung gestellt werde

Feasibility and first results of a group program to increase the frequency of cognitively stimulating leisure activities in people with mild cognitive impairment (AKTIVA–MCI)

AKTIVA-MCI is a program for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that aims to enhance participation in cognitively stimulating leisure activities. Participation in cognitively stimulating activities seems to be a potential strategy for people with MCI delaying cognitive decline for a while. In total, 35 MCI patients were enrolled in the pilot study of whom 29 completed the whole program (16 female, 71.1±7.5 years; Mini Mental Status Examination score: 28±2.2). Daily activity protocols were used to measure the frequency of participation in cognitively stimulating activities during the program (12 sessions). Additional standardized psychometric tests and questionnaires were used to assess cognition, mood, and subjective memory decline. Analyses of the daily activity protocols showed that during the intervention participants increased the frequency of several cognitively stimulating leisure activities. Comparison of pre-post data indicates no changes in cognitive status, mood, and subjective memory decline. These findings indicate that the program is suitable for patients with MCI

Feasibility and first results of a group program to increase the frequency of cognitively stimulating leisure activities in people with mild cognitive impairment (AKTIVA–MCI)

AKTIVA-MCI is a program for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that aims to enhance participation in cognitively stimulating leisure activities. Participation in cognitively stimulating activities seems to be a potential strategy for people with MCI delaying cognitive decline for a while. In total, 35 MCI patients were enrolled in the pilot study of whom 29 completed the whole program (16 female, 71.1±7.5 years; Mini Mental Status Examination score: 28±2.2). Daily activity protocols were used to measure the frequency of participation in cognitively stimulating activities during the program (12 sessions). Additional standardized psychometric tests and questionnaires were used to assess cognition, mood, and subjective memory decline. Analyses of the daily activity protocols showed that during the intervention participants increased the frequency of several cognitively stimulating leisure activities. Comparison of pre-post data indicates no changes in cognitive status, mood, and subjective memory decline. These findings indicate that the program is suitable for patients with MCI

Effects of spermidine supplementation on cognition and biomarkers in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SmartAge)—study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Given the global increase in the aging population and age-related diseases, the promotion of healthy aging is one of the most crucial public health issues. This trial aims to contribute to the establishment of effective approaches to promote cognitive and brain health in older individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Presence of SCD is known to increase the risk of objective cognitive decline and progression to dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it is our primary goal to determine whether spermidine supplementation has a positive impact on memory performance in this at-risk group, as compared with placebo. The secondary goal is to examine the effects of spermidine intake on other neuropsychological, behavioral, and physiological parameters. Methods: The SmartAge trial is a monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb trial. The study will investigate 12 months of intervention with spermidine-based nutritional supplementation (target intervention) compared with 12months of placebo intake (control intervention). We plan to recruit 100 cognitively normal older individuals with SCD from memory clinics, neurologists and general practitioners in private practice, and the general population. Participants will be allocated to one of the two study arms using blockwise randomization stratified by age and sex with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The primary outcome is the change in memory performance between baseline and post-intervention visits (12 months after baseline). Secondary outcomes include the change in memory performance from baseline to follow-up assessment (18months after baseline), as well as changes in neurocognitive, behavioral, and physiological parameters (including blood and neuroimaging biomarkers), assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Discussion: The SmartAge trial aims to provide evidence of the impact of spermidine supplementation on memory performance in older individuals with SCD. In addition, we will identify possible neurophysiological mechanisms of action underlying the anticipated cognitive benefits. Overall, this trial will contribute to the establishment of nutrition intervention in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

Negative affective burden is associated with higher resting-state functional connectivity in subjective cognitive decline

Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), as expressed by older adults, is associated with negative affect, which, in turn, is a likely risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This study assessed the associations between negative affective burden, cognitive functioning, and functional connectivity in networks vulnerable to AD in the context of SCD. Older participants (60–90 years) with SCD (n = 51) and healthy controls (n = 50) were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Subclinical negative affective burden, quantified through a composite of self-reported negative affective factors, was related to cognitive functioning (self-perceived and objective) and functional connectivity. Seed-to-voxel analyses were carried out in default mode network (DMN) and salience network (SAL) nodes using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Greater negative affective burden was associated with lower self-perceived cognitive functioning and lower between-network functional connectivity of DMN and SAL nodes in the total sample. In addition, there was a significant moderation of SCD status. Greater negative affective burden related to higher functional connectivity within DMN (posterior cingulate-to-precuneus) and within SAL (anterior cingulate-to-insula) nodes in the SCD group, whereas in controls the inverse association was found. We show that negative affective burden is associated with functional brain alterations in older adults, regardless of SCD status. Specifically in the SCD phenotype, greater negative affective burden relates to higher functional connectivity within brain networks vulnerable to AD. Our findings imply that negative affective burden should be considered a potentially modifiable target for early intervention.Peer reviewe

Impact of Resveratrol on Glucose Control, Hippocampal Structure and Connectivity, and Memory Performance in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

In healthy older adults, resveratrol supplementation has been shown to improve long-term glucose control, resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of the hippocampus, and memory function. Here, we aimed to investigate if these beneficial effects extend to individuals at high-risk for dementia, i.e., patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In a randomized, double-blind interventional study, 40 well-characterized patients with MCI (21 females; 50–80 years) completed 26 weeks of resveratrol (200 mg/d; n = 18) or placebo (1,015 mg/d olive oil; n = 22) intake. Serum levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c and insulin were determined before and after intervention. Moreover, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (3T) (n = 14 vs. 16) was conducted to analyze hippocampus volume, microstructure and RSFC, and neuropsychological testing was conducted to assess learning and memory (primary endpoint) at both time points. In comparison to the control group, resveratrol supplementation resulted in lower glycated hemoglobin A1c concentration with a moderate effect size (ANOVARM p = 0.059, Cohen's d = 0.66), higher RSFC between right anterior hippocampus and right angular cortex (p < 0.001), and led to a moderate preservation of left anterior hippocampus volume (ANOVARM p = 0.061, Cohen's d = 0.68). No significant differences in memory performance emerged between groups. This proof-of-concept study indicates for the first-time that resveratrol intake may reduce glycated hemoglobin A1c, preserves hippocampus volume, and improves hippocampus RSFC in at-risk patients for dementia. Larger trials with longer intervention time should now determine if these benefits can be validated and extended to cognitive function

Intraoperative Defibrillation Testing of Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Systems—A Simple Issue?

Background: The results of the recently published randomized SIMPLE trial question the role of routine intraoperative defibrillation testing. However, testing is still recommended during implantation of the entirely subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD) system. To address the question of whether defibrillation testing in S‐ICD systems is still necessary, we analyzed the data of a large, standard‐of‐care prospective single‐center S‐ICD registry. // Methods and Results: In the present study, 102 consecutive patients received an S‐ICD for primary (n=50) or secondary prevention (n=52). Defibrillation testing was performed in all except 4 patients. In 74 (75%; 95% CI 0.66–0.83) of 98 patients, ventricular fibrillation was effectively terminated by the first programmed internal shock. In 24 (25%; 95% CI 0.22–0.44) of 98 patients, the first internal shock was ineffective and further internal or external shock deliveries were required. In these patients, programming to reversed shock polarity (n=14) or repositioning of the sensing lead (n=1) or the pulse generator (n=5) led to successful defibrillation. In 4 patients, a safety margin of <10 J was not attained. Nevertheless, in these 4 patients, ventricular arrhythmias were effectively terminated with an internal 80‐J shock. // Conclusions: Although it has been shown that defibrillation testing is not necessary in transvenous ICD systems, it seems particular important for S‐ICD systems, because in nearly 25% of the cases the primary intraoperative test was not successful. In most cases, a successful defibrillation could be achieved by changing shock polarity or by optimizing the shock vector caused by the pulse generator or lead repositioning.<br