Systematic Correlation Matrix Evaluation (SCoMaE) – a bottom–up, science-led approach to identifying indicators

This study introduces the Systematic Correlation Matrix Evaluation (SCoMaE) method, a bottom–up approach which combines expert judgment and statistical information to systematically select transparent, nonredundant indicators for a comprehensive assessment of the state of the Earth system. The methods consists of two basic steps: (1) the calculation of a correlation matrix among variables relevant for a given research question and (2) the systematic evaluation of the matrix, to identify clusters of variables with similar behavior and respective mutually independent indicators. Optional further analysis steps include (3) the interpretation of the identified clusters, enabling a learning effect from the selection of indicators, (4) testing the robustness of identified clusters with respect to changes in forcing or boundary conditions, (5) enabling a comparative assessment of varying scenarios by constructing and evaluating a common correlation matrix, and (6) the inclusion of expert judgment, for example, to prescribe indicators, to allow for considerations other than statistical consistency. The example application of the SCoMaE method to Earth system model output forced by different CO2 emission scenarios reveals the necessity of reevaluating indicators identified in a historical scenario simulation for an accurate assessment of an intermediate–high, as well as a business-as-usual, climate change scenario simulation. This necessity arises from changes in prevailing correlations in the Earth system under varying climate forcing. For a comparative assessment of the three climate change scenarios, we construct and evaluate a common correlation matrix, in which we identify robust correlations between variables across the three considered scenarios

Integrated cantilever-based flow sensors with tunable sensitivity for in-line monitoring of flow fluctuations in microfluidic systems

For devices such as bio-/chemical sensors in microfluidic systems, flow fluctuations result in noise in the sensor output. Here, we demonstrate in-line monitoring of flow fluctuations with a cantilever-like sensor integrated in a microfluidic channel. The cantilevers are fabricated in different materials (SU-8 and SiN) and with different thicknesses. The integration of arrays of holes with different hole size and number of holes allows the modification of device sensitivity, theoretical detection limit and measurement range. For an average flow in the microliter range, the cantilever deflection is directly proportional to the flow rate fluctuations in the microfluidic channel. The SiN cantilevers show a detection limit below 1 nL/min and the thinnest SU-8 cantilevers a detection limit below 5 nL/min. Finally, the sensor is applied for in-line monitoring of flow fluctuations generated by external pumps connected to the microfluidic system

Uncertainty in the response of transpiration to CO2 and implications for climate change

While terrestrial precipitation is a societally highly relevant climate variable, there is little consensus among climate models about its projected 21st century changes. An important source of precipitable water over land is plant transpiration. Plants control transpiration by opening and closing their stomata. The sensitivity of this process to increasing CO2 concentrations is uncertain. To assess the impact of this uncertainty on future climate, we perform experiments with an intermediate complexity Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM) for a range of model-imposed transpiration-sensitivities to CO2. Changing the sensitivity of transpiration to CO2 causes simulated terrestrial precipitation to change by −10% to +27% by 2100 under a high emission scenario. This study emphasises the importance of an improved assessment of the dynamics of environmental impact on vegetation to better predict future changes of the terrestrial hydrological and carbon cycles

Parasites driving host diversity: Incidence of disease correlated with Daphnia clonal turnover

According to the Red Queen hypothesis, clonal diversity in asexual populations could be maintained by negative frequency‐dependant selection by coevolving parasites. If common clones are selected against and rare clones gain a concomitant advantage, we expect that clonal turnover should be faster during parasite epidemics than between them. We tested this hypothesis exploring field data of the Daphnia–Caullerya host–parasite system. The clonal make‐up and turnover of the Daphnia host population was tracked with high temporal resolution from 1998 until 2013, using first allozyme and later microsatellite markers. Significant differences in the clonal composition between random and infected subsamples of Daphnia populations were detected on six of seven tested occasions, confirming genetic specificity of the host–parasite interaction in this system. We used time series analysis to compare the rates of host clonal turnover to the incidence of parasitism, and found that Caullerya prevalence was significantly associated with microsatellite‐based clonal turnover. As alternate hypotheses, we further tested whether turnover was related to a variety of biotic, abiotic, and host demographic parameters. Other significant correlates of turnover were cyanobacterial biomass and (weakly) temperature. Overall, parasitism seems to be a strong driver of host clonal turnover, in support of the Red Queen hypothesis

Gene amplification in mesenchymal stem cells and during differentiation towards adipocytes or osteoblasts

Gene amplifications are an attribute of tumor cells and have for long time been overlooked in normal cells. A growing number of investigations describe gene amplifications in normal mammalian cells during development and differentiation. Possibly, tumor cells have rescued the gene amplification mechanism as a physiological attribute of stem cells. Here, we investigated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for gene amplification using array-CGH, single cell fluorescence in situ hybridization and qPCR. Gene amplifications were detected in mesenchymal stem cells and in mesenchymal stem cells during differentiation towards adipocytes and osteoblasts. Undifferentiated hMSCs harbor 12 amplified chromosomal regions, hMSCs that differentiated towards adipocytes 18 amplified chromosome regions, and hMSCs that differentiate towards osteoblasts 19 amplified regions. Specifically, hMSCs that differentiated towards adipocytes or osteoblasts harbor CDK4 and MDM2 amplifications both of which frequently occur in osteosarcoma and liposarcoma that are both of same cell origin. Beside the amplifications, we identified 36 under-replicated regions in undifferentiated and in differentiating hMSC cells

Marketingstrategien für die Vermittlung und das Angebot von elektronischen Informationen durch Bibliotheken - eine Umfrage unter neun Universitätsbibliotheken

Elektronische Information ist ein immer wichtiger werdender Teil in der heutigen Informationsvermittlung und spielt auch für Bibliotheken eine zunehmend bedeutende Rolle. Da sie aber nicht mehr die einzigen Informationsvermittler sind, sondern auch private Anbieter diesen Markt entdeckt haben, müssen Bibliotheken dieser Konkurrenz durch Marketingstrategien entgegentreten. Dies ist eine neue Herausforderung im Bibliotheksbereich. Deshalb stellt sich die Frage, inwieweit Bibliotheken heute schon Marketing betreiben. Im Rahmen unseres Studiums an der Fachhochschule für Bibliothekswesen in Frankfurt am Main, haben wir diese Entwicklung zum Thema einer Projektarbeit gemacht, da sie eine aktuelle Bedeutung für uns als angehende Diplom-Bibliothekare hat. Unsere Ausgangsfragestellung entwickelten wir in der Auseinandersetzung mit den Thesen des Projekts Nutzung elektronischer wissenschaftlicher Informationen in der Hochschulausbildung von der Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund zusammen mit dem Lehrstuhl für Soziologie der Universität Dortmund und der Gesellschaft für Angewandte Unternehmensforschung und Sozialstatistik mbH (GAUS) im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMB+F), auch als SteFi-Studie (Studieren mit elektronischen Fachinformationen) bekannt (http://www.stefi.de/). Ziel unserer Arbeit ist es herauszufinden, welche Marketingstrategien bereits von Bibliotheken eingesetzt werden, welche Ziele damit verfolgt werden und wie diese neue Aufgabe organisiert wird. Dazu haben wir mittels eines Fragebogens eine Umfrage an zehn Bibliotheken gerichtet, an der sich neun Bibliotheken beteiligt haben. Diese befasst sich mit den Aspekten Marketingmaßnahmen, Stellenwert dieser Maßnahmen, Marketinggesamtkonzept und Finanzierung. Bei unseren Untersuchungen wurden ausschließlich Universitätsbibliotheken befragt, denen wir für ihre Mitarbeit und Hilfsbereitschaft danken

Survey of Long-Term Experiences of Sperm Cryopreservation in Oncological and Non-Oncological Patients: Usage and Reproductive Outcomes of a Large Monocentric Cohort

Progress in oncological treatment has led to an improved long-term survival of young male cancer patients over the last decades. However, standard cancer treatments frequently implicate fertility-damaging potential. Cryopreservation of sperm is the current standard option to preserve patient's fertility after treatment, yet long-term data on usage and reproductive experiences is still limited. Natural fertility after treatment and especially in relation to the type of treatment has been poorly analyzed so far. Therefore, we performed a retrospective survey including male patients with an indication for gonadotoxic treatment who cryopreserved reproductive material at our institution between 1994 and 2017. Study questionnaires regarding treatment, material usage, and reproductive outcomes were sent to eligible patients. Additionally, semen analyses of study participants from the time of cryopreservation were evaluated. A total of 99 patients were included in the study. Respondents' median age was 38.0 years. Most frequent diagnoses were testicular cancer (29.3%) and lymphoma (26.3%). A further 8.1% suffered from autoimmune diseases. Testicular cancer patients had a significantly lower pre-treatment median sperm concentration (18.0 million/ml) compared to non-testicular cancer patients (54.2 million/ml). Until November 2020, the determined sperm usage and cumulative live-birth rate per couple were 17.2% and 58.8%, respectively. Most sperm users received treatments with high (40.0%) or intermediate (33.3%) gonadotoxic potential. 20.7% of all patients reported to had fathered at least one naturally conceived child after treatment, this being the case especially if they had been treated with less or potentially gonadotoxic therapies. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the importance of sperm cryopreservation in the context of male fertility preservation. Furthermore, they indicate that the gonadotoxic potential of patients' treatments could represent a predictive factor for sperm usage

Insights into Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Differential Gene Expression Profiling of Plucked Hair Follicles and Integration with Genetic Data

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