Multiscale simulations of topological transformations in magnetic Skyrmions

Magnetic Skyrmions belong to the most interesting spin structures for the development of future information technology as they have been predicted to be topologically protected. To quantify their stability, we use an innovative multiscale approach to simulating spin dynamics based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The multiscale approach overcomes the micromagnetic limitations that have hindered realistic studies using conventional techniques. We first demonstrate how the stability of a Skyrmion is influenced by the refinement of the computational mesh and reveal that conventionally employed traditional micromagnetic simulations are inadequate for this task. Furthermore, we determine the stability quantitatively using our multiscale approach. As a key operation for devices, the process of annihilating a Skyrmion by exciting it with a spin polarized current pulse is analyzed, showing that Skyrmions can be reliably deleted by designing the pulse shape

Funktionen des Sports im modernen Staat und in der modernen Diktatur

'Die Argumentation grenzt sich von der Eigenweltthese des Sports ab und gibt einen Überblick über Funktionen, die verschiedenen Formen von Gymnastik, Turnen und Sport im modernen Staat und in der modernen Diktatur übernehmen konnten. Theoretischer Hintergrund der Darstellung ist die Macht- und Subjekttheorie Michel Foucaults. In Beispielen aus dem 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts wird deutlich, dass sich staatliche Körpererziehung in preußisch-deutscher Tradition als 'Technologie der Macht' verstehen lässt, während der britische Gentlemansport Merkmale einer 'Ästhetik der Existenz' aufweist. In den Diktaturen des 20. Jahrhunderts kam dem Sport als Machttechnologie eine zentrale Bedeutung zu, was am Beispiel des 'Sportlands' DDR aufgezeigt wird. Hier gab es aber ebenso Szenen, die ihren Sport nicht im Sinne des Staates betrieben, sondern vielmehr als Mittel einer 'Ästhetik der Existenz' betrachteten. Obwohl sie damit keine politischen Forderungen im engeren Sinne verbanden, lässt sich diese Praxis im Sozialismus als alltäglicher, 'gelebter Widerstand' begreifen.' (Autorenreferat)'The article disapproves the theory of sport constituting an 'Eigenwelt' and points out the functions that gymnastics, exercise and sports fulfilled in modern society and especially under the conditions of a dictatorship. The argumentation follows Michel Foucault's theory of power and the subject. While in the 18th and 19th century the Prusso-German physical education can be regarded as a 'technology of power', the British gentleman's sports followed the concept of 'aesthetics of existence.' The dictatorships in the 20th century used sports as a central technology of exerting power, as for example the GDR. Yet there was also a milieu that refused to practice sport according to state ideology but insisted on these 'aesthetics of existence'. Although not directly opposing the state politically, this practice can be seen as a sort of resistance against socialism in daily life.' (author's abstract

Enchondrome des Handskeletts – Therapeutisches Vorgehen, funktionelles Langzeitergebnis und Nachsorgeempfehlungen

147 Patienten mit 183 histologisch gesicherten Enchondromen des Handskeletts wurden retrospektiv nach Krankenakten und Röntgenbildern analysiert. 120 Patienten (81,6%) wurden Ø 6,7 Jahre nach Operation nachuntersucht. Je zweimal lag ein Maffucci-Syndrom bzw. ein Morbus Ollier vor. Häufigste Manifestationen waren Schmerzen und/oder Schwellung (51,7%) oder die pathologische Fraktur (25%). Standardisiert erfolgte die Exstirpation und autologe Spongiosaplastik. Es traten 11 Rezidive (7,5%) nach Ø 4,4 Jahren auf. Ein niedrigmalignes Chondrosarkom wurde in 2 Fällen diagnostiziert. 84,2% der Patienten erzielten ein sehr gutes oder gutes funktionelles Outcome. Zur Diagnosesicherung und Komplikationsprophylaxe sollte bis auf sehr kleine Läsionen und bei Kindern stets die Tumorexstirpation erfolgen. Wir sehen weiterhin die autologe Spongiosaplastik als Goldstandard, für die Nichtauffüllung bzw. künstliche Knochenersatzmaterialien sind allerdings ähnlich gute Ergebnisse publiziert worden

The CO2 SINK Boreholes for Geological Storage Testing

Europe’s first onshore scientific carbon dioxide storage testing project CO2SINK (CO2 Storage by Injection into a Natural saline aquifer at Ketzin) is performed in a saline aquifer in NE Germany. The major objectives of CO2SINK are the advancement of the science and practical processes for underground storage of carbon dioxide, and the provision of operational field results to aid in the development of standards for CO2 geological storage. Three boreholes (one injection well and two observation wells) have been drilled in2007, each to a depth of about 800 m. The wells are completed as “smart” wells containing a variety of permanent downhole sensing equipment, which has proven its functionality during its baseline surveys. The injection of CO2 is scheduled for spring 2008 and is intended to last up to two years to allow for monitoring of migration and fate of the injected gas through a combination of downhole monitoring with surface geophysical surveys. This report summarizeswell design, drilling, coring, and completion operations

Reversible Switching of Spiropyran Molecules in Direct Contact With a Bi(111) Single Crystal Surface

Photochromic molecular switches immobilized by direct contact with surfaces typically show only weak response to optical excitation, which often is not reversible. In contrast, here, it is shown that a complete and reversible ring-opening and ring-closing reaction of submonolayers of spironaphthopyran on the Bi(111) surface is possible. The ring opening to the merocyanine isomer is initiated by ultraviolet light. Switching occurs in a two-step process, in which after optical excitation, an energy barrier needs to be overcome to convert to the merocyanine form. This leads to a strong temperature dependence of the conversion efficiency. Switching of the merocyanine isomer back to the closed form is achieved by a temperature increase. Thus, the process can be repeated in a fully reversible manner, in contrast to previously studied nitrospiropyran molecules on surfaces. This is attributed to the destabilization of the merocyanine isomer by the electron-donating nature of the naphtho group and the reduced van der Waals interaction of the Bi(111) surface. The result shows that molecules designed for switching in solutions need to be modified to function in direct contact with a surface

XML schemas for common bioinformatic data types and their application in workflow systems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Today, there is a growing need in bioinformatics to combine available software tools into chains, thus building complex applications from existing single-task tools. To create such workflows, the tools involved have to be able to work with each other's data – therefore, a common set of well-defined data formats is needed. Unfortunately, current bioinformatic tools use a great variety of heterogeneous formats.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Acknowledging the need for common formats, the Helmholtz Open BioInformatics Technology network (HOBIT) identified several basic data types used in bioinformatics and developed appropriate format descriptions, formally defined by XML schemas, and incorporated them in a Java library (BioDOM). These schemas currently cover sequence, sequence alignment, RNA secondary structure and RNA secondary structure alignment formats in a form that is independent of any specific program, thus enabling seamless interoperation of different tools. All XML formats are available at <url>http://bioschemas.sourceforge.net</url>, the BioDOM library can be obtained at <url>http://biodom.sourceforge.net</url>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The HOBIT XML schemas and the BioDOM library simplify adding XML support to newly created and existing bioinformatic tools, enabling these tools to interoperate seamlessly in workflow scenarios.</p

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) based on DSM-5 vs. ICD-11 criteria

Introduction Many studies have investigated the latent structure of the DSM-5 criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, most research on this topic was based on self-report data. We aimed to investigate the latent structure of PTSD based on a clinical interview, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5). Method A clinical sample of 345 participants took part in this multi-centre study. Participants were assessed with the CAPS-5 and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5). We evaluated eight competing models of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and three competing models of ICD-11 PTSD symptoms. Results The internal consistency of the CAPS-5 was replicated. In CFAs, the Anhedonia model emerged as the best fitting model within all tested DSM-5 models. However, when compared with the Anhedonia model, the non-nested ICD-11 model as a less complex three-factor solution showed better model fit indices. Discussion We discuss the findings in the context of earlier empirical findings as well as theoretical models of PTSD

Label-free biophysical markers from whole blood microfluidic immune profiling reveals severe immune response signatures

10.1002/smll.202006123SMALL171

changes in PTSD prevalence in military personnel

Background: Recently, changes have been introduced to the diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Objectives: This study investigated the effect of the diagnostic changes made from DSM-IV to DSM-5 and from ICD-10 to the proposed ICD-11. The concordance of provisional PTSD prevalence between the diagnostic criteria was examined in a convenience sample of 100 members of the German Armed Forces. Method: Based on questionnaire measurements, provisional PTSD prevalence was assessed according to DSM-IV, DSM-5, ICD-10, and proposed ICD-11 criteria. Consistency of the diagnostic status across the diagnostic systems was statistically evaluated. Results: Provisional PTSD prevalence was the same for DSM-IV and DSM-5 (both 56%) and comparable under DSM-5 versus ICD-11 proposal (48%). Agreement between DSM-IV and DSM-5, and between DSM-5 and the proposed ICD-11, was high (both p < .001). Provisional PTSD prevalence was significantly increased under ICD-11 proposal compared to ICD-10 (30%) which was mainly due to the deletion of the time criterion. Agreement between ICD-10 and the proposed ICD-11 was low (p = .014). Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence for a satisfactory concordance between provisional PTSD prevalence based on the diagnostic criteria for PTSD that are defined using DSM-IV, DSM-5, and proposed ICD-11. This supports the assumption of a set of PTSD core symptoms as suggested in the ICD-11 proposal, when at the same time a satisfactory concordance between ICD-11 proposal and DSM was given. The finding of increased provisional PTSD prevalence under ICD-11 proposal in contrast to ICD-10 can be of guidance for future epidemiological research on PTSD prevalence, especially concerning further investigations on the impact, appropriateness, and usefulness of the time criterion included in ICD-10 versus the consequences of its deletion as proposed for ICD-11