Climate change and climate change velocity analysis across Germany

Although there are great concerns to what extent current and future climate change impacts biodiversity across different spatial and temporal scales, we still lack a clear information on different climate change metrics across fine spatial scales. Here we present an analysis of climate change and climate change velocity at a local scale (1 × 1 km) across Germany. We focus on seasonal climate variability and velocity and investigate changes in three time periods (1901–2015, 1901–1950 and 1951–2015) using a novel statistical approach. Our results on climate variability showed the highest trends for the 1951–2015 time period. The strongest (positive/negative) and spatially the most dispersed trends were found for Summer maximum temperature and Summer minimum temperatures. For precipitation the strongest positive trends were most pronounced in the summer (1951–2015) and winter (1901–2015). Results for climate change velocity showed that almost 90% of temperature velocities were in the range of 0.5 to 3 km/year, whereas all climate velocities for precipitation were within the range of −3.5 to 4.5 km/year. The key results amplify the need for more local and regional scale studies to better understand species individualistic responses to recent climate change and allow for more accurate future projections and conservation strategies

Physical mechanisms and scaling laws of K-shell double photoionization

We report on the photon energy dependence of the K-shell double photoionization (DPI) of Mg, Al, and Si. The DPI cross sections were derived from high-resolution measurements of x-ray spectra following the radiative decay of the K-shell double vacancy states. Our data evince the relative importance of the final-state electron-electron interaction to the DPI. By comparing the double-to-single K-shell photoionization cross-section ratios for neutral atoms with convergent close-coupling calculations for He-like ions, the effect of outer shell electrons on the K-shell DPI process is assessed. Universal scaling of the DPI cross sections with the effective nuclear charge for neutral atoms is revealed

QuizMap: Open social student modeling and adaptive navigation support with TreeMaps

In this paper, we present a novel approach to integrate social adaptive navigation support for self-assessment questions with an open student model using QuizMap, a TreeMap-based interface. By exposing student model in contrast to student peers and the whole class, QuizMap attempts to provide social guidance and increase student performance. The paper explains the nature of the QuizMap approach and its implementation in the context of self-assessment questions for Java programming. It also presents the design of a semester-long classroom study that we ran to evaluate QuizMap and reports the evaluation results. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Komparativna studija izmjerenog i procijenjenog vo2max u višestupanjskom funkcionalnom testu pripremljenosti nogometaša juniora

The multi-stage 20-m shuttle run test (MSRT) is one of the most popular field tests using equations based on test results or the final speed for an indirect estimation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The aim of this study was to compare the real VO2max value to the predicted value of VO2max by MSRT and rate the usefulness of the MSRT as a predictor of VO2max in young football players. Fifteen young football players, nominees for the 2004/2005 national Under-18 team, were included in this study. The subjects were 17.9±.2 years old, had an average height of 178.8±7 cm and an average weight of 71.8±7.5 kg. The players came from different Slovenian junior premier football league clubs and trained on average 4 to 5 times per week. Testing was conducted on all subjects over two days, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., on synthetic turf. A mobile device for the measurement of O2 and CO2 in expired air and ventilation during MSRT was used. On the basis of the test result (the number of levels and repetitions between them) VO2max was calculated. The correlation between the measured and predicted VO2max was determined with Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The comparison of both mean values showed that the measured value was significantly higher (p<.05), by as much as 8.5 ml O2 kg-1•min-1, than the MSRT-predicted VO2max. Variables were statistically correlated, but the correlation coefficient amounted to only .58. This study has shown that an indirect evaluation of aerobic capacity based on the multi-stage 20 m shuttle run test can lead to wrong conclusions in young soccer players. The correlation observed between the measured and predicted VO2max was too weak to predict the aerobic capacity of young football players with certainty.Višestupanjski test povratnog trčanja dionica od 20 metara (MSRT) je jedan od najpopularnijih terenskih testova koji koriste jednadžbe za procjenu maksimalnog primitka kisika (VO2max) na temelju ukupnog rezultata testa ili konačne brzine trčanja na kraju testa. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je usporediti stvarne vrijednosti VO2max s procijenjenim vrijednostima VO2max dobivenima pomoću MSRT te ocijeniti korisnost toga terenskog višestupanjskog testa kao prediktora VO2max u mladih nogometaša. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 15 mladih nogometaša izabranih za slovensku nacionalnu selekciju U18 u sezoni 2004./2005. Ispitanici su bili u dobi od 17,9±0,2 godina, prosječne visine 178,8±7 cm i prosječne težine 71,8±7,5 kg. Igrači su bili članovi različitih slovenskih prvoligaških juniorskih klubova i trenirali su u prosjeku 4 do 5 puta tjedno. Testiranje je provedeno na svim ispitanicima tijekom dva dana, u vremenu između 9 i 14 sati na umjetnoj travi. Korišteni su prijenosni uređaji za mjerenje O2 i CO2 u izdahnutomu zraku i ventilacije tijekom provedbe MSRT. Na temelju rezultata testa (razina otkaza i broj ponavljanja unutar razine otkaza) izračunat je VO2max. Povezanost između izmjerenoga i procijenjenoga VO2max utvrđena je Pearsonovim koeficijentom korelacije. Usporedba prosječnih vrijednosti pokazala je da je izmjerena vrijednost VO2max bila statistički značajno viša (p<0,05) za 8,5 ml O2 kg-1•min-1 od procijenjene vrijednosti VO2max koja je izračunata pomoću MSRT. Korelacija između varijabli bila je statistički značajna, ali je korelacijski koeficijent bio samo 0,58. Ovo je istraživanje pokazalo da neizravno vrednovanje aerobnoga kapaciteta rezultatima u testu MSRT može dovesti do pogrešnih zaključaka na populaciji mladih nogometaša. Utvrđena povezanost između izmjerene i procijenjene vrijednosti VO2max bila je preslaba da bi sa sigurnošću mogla poduprijeti procjenu aerobnoga kapaciteta u mladih nogometaša

LFRic: meeting the challenges of scalability and performance portability in weather and climate models

This paper describes LFRic: the new weather and climate modelling system being developed by the UK Met Office to replace the existing Unified Model in preparation for exascale computing in the 2020s. LFRic uses the GungHo dynamical core and runs on a semi-structured cubed-sphere mesh. The design of the supporting infrastructure follows object-oriented principles to facilitate modularity and the use of external libraries where possible. In particular, a `separation of concerns' between the science code and parallel code is imposed to promote performance portability. An application called PSyclone, developed at the STFC Hartree centre, can generate the parallel code enabling deployment of a single source science code onto different machine architectures. This paper provides an overview of the scientific requirement, the design of the software infrastructure, and examples of PSyclone usage. Preliminary performance results show strong scaling and an indication that hybrid MPI/OpenMP performs better than pure MPI

G-CSF Prevents the Progression of Structural Disintegration of White Matter Tracts in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Pilot Trial

Background: The hematopoietic protein Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has neuroprotective and regenerative properties. The G-CSF receptor is expressed by motoneurons, and G-CSF protects cultured motoneuronal cells from apoptosis. It therefore appears as an attractive and feasible drug candidate for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The current pilot study was performed to determine whether treatment with G-CSF in ALS patients is feasible.Methods: Ten patients with definite ALS were entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Patients received either 10 mu g/kg BW G-CSF or placebo subcutaneously for the first 10 days and from day 20 to 25 of the study. Clinical outcome was assessed by changes in the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS), a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, and by examining hand activities of daily living over the course of the study (100 days). The total number of adverse events (AE) and treatment-related AEs, discontinuation due to treatment-related AEs, laboratory parameters including leukocyte, erythrocyte, and platelet count, as well as vital signs were examined as safety endpoints. Furthermore, we explored potential effects of G-CSF on structural cerebral abnormalities on the basis of voxel-wise statistics of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), brain volumetry, and voxel-based morphometry.Results: Treatment was well-tolerated. No significant differences were found between groups in clinical tests and brain volumetry from baseline to day 100. However, DTI analysis revealed significant reductions of fractional anisotropy (FA) encompassing diffuse areas of the brain when patients were compared to controls. On longitudinal analysis, the placebo group showed significant greater and more widespread decline in FA than the ALS patients treated with G-CSF.Conclusions: Subcutaneous G-CSF treatment in ALS patients appears as feasible approach. Although exploratory analysis of clinical data showed no significant effect, DTI measurements suggest that the widespread and progressive microstructural neural damage in ALS can be modulated by G-CSF treatment. These findings may carry significant implications for further clinical trials on ALS using growth factors

O3‐06‐01: Nih Toolbox Cognition Tablet Battery In Identification Of Early Cognitive Impairment

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152934/1/alzjjalz2019064654.pd

Caries prevalence and tooth loss in Hungarian adult population: results of a national survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oral health is basicly important for the well-being of people. Thus, it is strongly suggested to organize epidemiological surveys in order to gain representative data on oral condition of the given population. The purpose of the cross-sectional study was to determine the results on tooth loss and caries prevalence of Hungarian adults in different age groups.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Altogether 4606 persons (2923 women, 1683 men) participated in the study who were classified into different age groups: 19 [less than or equal to], 20–24, 35–44, 45–64, 65–74, [greater than or equal to]75 year olds. Probands were selected randomly from the population attending the compulsory lung screening examinations. The participants were examined by calibrated dentists, according to the WHO (1997) criteria. In order to produce representative data, the chosen localities for these examinations covered the capital, the largest towns, the villages, and case weights were used for the statistical evaluation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean values of DMF-T were found between 11.79±5.68 and 21.90±7.61 These values were significantly higher in women compared to men (p < 0.05). In all age groups the values of M were the highest. Except for the women in the groups of 35–44 and 45–64 year olds, these values showed an increasing tendency both in women and men by age (from 5.50±6.49, and 4.70±4.08 to 21.52±9.07 and 18.41±8.89 respectively). The values of D components reached the highest values in 45–64 year olds (4.54±2.12 and 4.22±2.81, by gender, respectively), then in the older age groups there was a high reduction in these values (in 65–74 year olds: 2.72±1.88 and 1.36±2.48; in 75 or more than 75 year olds: 1.05±1.41 and 1.03±1.76 by gender, respectively). The ratio of D and F values was the highest in the age group of 65–74 year olds (2.12), the lowest ratio could be calculated in 20–34 year olds (0.65).</p> <p>Data showed some decrease in caries experience in 35–44 years of age between 2000 and 2004. The prevalence of persons with 21 or more teeth had been increased from 65.6% to 73.1%. This positive tendency has not been occured in prevalence of edentulousness in this age group: the prevalence of edentulous persons changed from 1.4 to 1.9%. In 65–74 year olds the level of edentulousness became lower, from 25.9 to 14.8% and the prevalence of persons with 21 or more teeth is higher (22.6%) than it was in 2000 (13.0%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Present data from Hungary show some slight decrease in caries experience between 35–44 years of age, although this positive tendency has not been occured in prevalence of edentulousness in this age group. A positive tendency could be experienced in the group of 65–74 year olds in edentulousness and in number of teeth, but further efforts are needed to reach a better situation.</p

Age-related changes in global motion coherence: conflicting haemodynamic and perceptual responses

Our aim was to use both behavioural and neuroimaging data to identify indicators of perceptual decline in motion processing. We employed a global motion coherence task and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Healthy adults (n = 72, 18-85) were recruited into the following groups: young (n = 28, mean age = 28), middle-aged (n = 22, mean age = 50), and older adults (n = 23, mean age = 70). Participants were assessed on their motion coherence thresholds at 3 different speeds using a psychophysical design. As expected, we report age group differences in motion processing as demonstrated by higher motion coherence thresholds in older adults. Crucially, we add correlational data showing that global motion perception declines linearly as a function of age. The associated fNIRS recordings provide a clear physiological correlate of global motion perception. The crux of this study lies in the robust linear correlation between age and haemodynamic response for both measures of oxygenation. We hypothesise that there is an increase in neural recruitment, necessitating an increase in metabolic need and blood flow, which presents as a higher oxygenated haemoglobin response. We report age-related changes in motion perception with poorer behavioural performance (high motion coherence thresholds) associated with an increased haemodynamic response