Effects of Robotics - eine Trainingsstudie zur Verbesserung Exekutiver Funktionen

Die Exekutiven Funktionen beschreiben ein Konstrukt, das in den letzten 10 Jahren an immenser wissenschaftlicher und gesellschaftlicher Relevanz und an Interesse gewonnen hat. Der Begriff der Exekutiven Funktionen stammt aus der Neuropsychologie, welchem heutzutage zunehmend mehr an Bedeutung im Schulalltag zugesprochen wird, da die Exekutiven Funktionen im starken Zusammenhang mit der (Schul-)Alltagsbewältigung stehen. Im Rahmen der Diplomarbeit wurde die Entwicklung der Exekutiven Funktionen mittels einer Trainingsstudie untersucht. Dazu wurden insgesamt 52 Vorschulkinder aus österreichischen Privat- und städtischen Kindergärten rekrutiert. Die Experimentalgruppe erhielt ein 6-wöchiges Robotertraining im Abstand einer Woche, die Kontrollgruppe erhielt kein Training. Die Posttestungen dienten zur Evaluation, inwieweit das Robotertraining auf die Exekutiven Funktionen Einfluss genommen hat. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Diplomarbeit zeigen jedoch keinen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen den Leistungen der Roboter und Kontrollgruppe zum Posttestzeitpunkt. Daher kann geschlussfolgert werden, dass das Robotertraining keinen Einfluss auf die Exekutiven Funktionen hatte. Möglicherweise können die Ergebnisse eher auf einen potentiellen Lerneffekt zurückgeführt werden durch die zweimalige Vorgabe des psychologischen Testmaterials zu den Exekutiven Funktionen.Executive functions characterize a construct that has gained in immense scientifically and societal relevance and interest in the past 10 years. The term executive function originates from the neuropsychology realm that obtains increasingly more importance regarding school life. This is because executive functions are strongly associated with coping of (school) life. Within the framework of this diploma thesis the development of executive functions have been investigated by means of a training study. In total 52 preschool children from Austrian private- and state kindergarten has been recruited. The experimental group received a 6-week long robotic training and the control group received none. The posttests served as evaluation in which extent the robotic training had an influence on the executive functions. However the results from the present diploma thesis indicate no significant difference between the performance of the robot group and the control group at the time of the posttest. Therefore it can be concluded that the robotic training had no influence on the executive functions. Possibly the results could be attributed rather to a learning effect because of the two time over exposure to the psychological test material of the executive functions

Einfluss einer Stimulation des präfrontalen Kortex auf Wahrnehmung und Verhalten in einer virtuellen Ausschlusssituation

Ostrazismus wird allgemein mit dem Phänomen der sozialen Ausgrenzung bzw. Exklusion in Zusammenhang gebracht. Mit der Veröffentlichung des sogenannten Cyberball-Paradigmas (z.B. Williams & Jarvis, 2006) ist es möglich die Auswirkungen von Ostrazismus in einem virtuellen Setting unter Laborbedingen zu untersuchen. In jüngster Zeit haben sich einige Wissenschaftler der Methode der sogenannten transkraniellen elektrischen Stimulation (tES) bedient, um die Modulation neuronaler Prozesse auf die Bewältigung von Ostrazismus zu erforschen. Vor diesem Hintergrund ist das Ziel dieser Arbeit, den Einfluss einer Hirnstimulation auf das Verhalten in einer virtuellen Ausschlusssituation zu untersuchen. Zu diesem Zweck wurden 40 Probanden (14 männliche und 26 weibliche Teilnehmer zwischen 18 und 43 Jahren, Mw=28,6 Jahre) unter Anwendung einer adaptierten Version des Cyberball-Paradigmas mit einem partiellen sozialen Ausschluss durch einen Mitspieler konfrontiert. Zeitgleich erfolgte eine Hirnstimulation des rechten ventrolateralen präfrontalen Kortexes (rVLPFK) mittels transkranieller Gleichstrom Stimulation (tDCS). Die Teilnehmer wurden vorher entweder der verum-tDCS (n=19) oder der Placebogruppe (sham-tDCS, n=21) randomisiert zugeteilt. Basierend auf der Annahme, dass eine Stimulation des rVLPFK die Regulation von durch Ostrazismus evozierten emotionalen Schmerzzuständen unterstützt, entstand die Hypothese, dass die Probanden der verum-Gruppe ein anderes Spielverhalten während der 10-minütigen Ausschlussphase demonstrieren als Personen mit einer sham-Stimulation. Des Weiteren wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob die tDCS einen Einfluss auf die Bedrohung der vier fundamentalen Bedürfnisse (Williams, 2009) aufgrund der sozialen Ausgrenzungserfahrung hat. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die tDCS das Spielverhalten unter der sozialen Ausschlussbedingung nicht beeinflusste. In der verum-Gruppe konnte ein marginaler Unterschied im Spielverhalten zwischen der Ausschluss- und Kontrollbedingung dargelegt werden. Die Analyse des Spielverhaltens aller Teilnehmer, ungeachtet der Hirnstimulation, ergab signifikante Unterschiede zwischen der Ausschluss- und der Kontrollbedingung. Auf deskriptiver Ebene wurde ersichtlich, dass Teilnehmer mit einer verum-tDCS während der Ausschlussvariante mehr prosoziale Spielstrategien zur Wiederherstellung der sozialen Zugehörigkeit anwendeten als die Probanden mit einer sham-tDCS. Den Ergebnissen zur Bedürfnisbedrohung ist zu entnehmen, dass die tDCS das Ausmaß subjektiv bedrohter Bedürfnisse durch den sozialen Ausschluss nicht beeinflusste. Eine anschließende explorative Analyse zum Zusammenhang zwischen Personenvariablen und Spielverhalten brachte keine signifikanten Ergebnisse hervor

Three essays on spillover effects of product certifications on non-certified bystander products

At a time when consumers are increasingly conscious of sustainable- and quality-oriented consumption, many companies respond to these new demands by launching certified options in addition to their standard assortment. Consequently, product lines consist of both certified and uncertified alternatives. While considerable research has examined the effects of such certifications, the focus has been exclusively on the labeled products, neglecting portfolio-related consequences for non-certified alternatives (‘bystander’ products). The objective of this research was to close this gap by conceptually and empirically investigating the occurrence as well as determinants of such bystander effects. Therefore, a holistic framework of spillover effects was developed based on a structured review of underlying theories, and synthesis of disparate literature streams focused on spillover (i.e., brand extension, co-branding, ingredient branding, quality seals, endorsement, sponsorship, and country of origin effects). This two-step model provided the theoretical framework for the subsequent investigation of bystander effects in the context of sustainability labeling. In a field study, it was demonstrated how partial certification can have a detrimental effect on choice shares of the own bystander products, whereas competing products remain unaffected, resulting in strong intra-brand cannibalization effects. It was further revealed that these observed negative effects were caused by altered perceptions of product attributes which consumers associate with a specific certification (e.g., quality, fairness). In line with the previously presented mechanisms necessary for the occurrence of bystander effects, this detrimental effect only occurred for bystander products of the same brand due to its stronger mental association with the certified target product. To understand these changes in perceptions and underlying psychological mechanisms in more detail, a mixed-methods approach offered new insight into how a partial certification strategy affects consumer evaluations of own bystander products in a three-fold manner: Changes in the reference framework used to assess bystander products impair perceptions of the product’s attributes, as it appears inferior compared to the certified product (reference effect). Simultaneously, enhanced perceptions of the target product spill over to the bystander because of their shared affiliation (spillover effect). Finally, consumers perceive a brand’s meaning as inconsistent if it certifies only select products, which raises skepticism of the brand’s overall intentions (inconsistency effect). Finally, a series of online experiments and a field study were conducted to examine what factors determine the strength and direction of bystander effects. Particularly, the degree of a brand’s perceived control over certification of its products, brand reputation, fit between certification and brand, pricing, as well as shelf placement were identified to be of relevance. Overall, the presented findings substantially contribute to existing research in the context of product certifications. The more expansive perspective allows for the assessment of a certification’s overall benefit with regards to the brand portfolio in its entirety, which offers highly relevant practical implications

Cyber equipping 4.0 – fe-simulation-based setting instructions for a rotary draw-bending machine

The tool setting process for rotary draw-bending is very complex. Only experienced machine operators know which settings lead to a good result in relation to the bending task. Up to seven individual tools can be installed, positioned and set in the process independently. A complete set of tools consists of: pressure die, mandrel, wiper die, inner and outer clamp die as well as the bend die and the collet or piston bend. [1] Furthermore there are the axis settings, which can be adjusted with the parameters distance, force, angle, torque and time. If a defect occurs after the successful set-up process the machine operator has various possibilities to solve the problem. The effects of the different setting parameters and the procedure for the fastest possible elimination of the error are often unclear. The goal is to be able to use an adjustment support for the setting process by means of physical-analytical principles and systematically constructed FE simulations at the bending machine. In order to evaluate the bending result, the condition of the bending component is examined concerning the quality characteristics, cracking, wrinkling, cross-section deformation and elastic deformation. [2] Based on performed and analyzed FE simulations, adjustment recommendations regarding the respective quality characteristics are to be established as well as predictions about possible defects. The simulation and calculation results flow into a database. This is used for the implementation of an electronic expert, who uses a visualization aid to provide the machine operator with information and recommendations on the setup settings. This avoids errors during the equipping process and saves set-up time. Machine operators and particularly trained employees are guided and supported in their work

Cathodal tDCS Over Motor Cortex Does Not Improve Tourette Syndrome: Lessons Learned From a Case Series

Introduction: Current pathophysiological hypotheses of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) refer to temporally abnormal neuronal activation in cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) networks. Modifying cortical activity by non-invasive brain-stimulation appears to be a new treatment option in GTS. Background: Previous studies suggested therapeutic effects of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to pre-supplementary motor areas (SMA), however, treatment modalities concerning electrode placement, current intensity and stimulation-rate have not been systematically explored. Aim of this study was to assess efficacy of an alternative stimulation regime on GTS symptoms in a pilot study. To test a treatment protocol with tDCS twice a day, we administered 10 sessions over 5 days of bilateral cathodal tDCS (30 min, 2 mA) over the pre-SMA in three patients with severe GTS. Tic severity as well as obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms and affective scales were rated before and after tDCS treatment. Discussion: Only one out of three patients showed a 34.5% reduction in tic severity. The two other patients showed an increase in tic severity. All patients showed a mild increase in positive affect and a reduction in negative affect, OC symptom changes were heterogeneous. Our results do not support earlier findings of extensive therapeutic effects of cathodal tDCS on tics in patients with GTS and show that prediction of stimulation effects on a targeted brain area remains inaccurate. Concluding Remarks: Future research will have to focus on the determination of most effective stimulation modes regarding site, polarity and frequency of tDCS in GTS patients

Towards establishing a fungal economics spectrum in soil saprobic fungi

Trait-based frameworks are promising tools to understand the functional consequences of community shifts in response to environmental change. The applicability of these tools to soil microbes is limited by a lack of functional trait data and a focus on categorical traits. To address this gap for an important group of soil microorganisms, we identify trade-offs underlying a fungal economics spectrum based on a large trait collection in 28 saprobic fungal isolates, derived from a common grassland soil and grown in culture plates. In this dataset, ecologically relevant trait variation is best captured by a three-dimensional fungal economics space. The primary explanatory axis represents a dense-fast continuum, resembling dominant life-history trade-offs in other taxa. A second significant axis reflects mycelial flexibility, and a third one carbon acquisition traits. All three axes correlate with traits involved in soil carbon cycling. Since stress tolerance and fundamental niche gradients are primarily related to the dense-fast continuum, traits of the 2nd (carbon-use efficiency) and especially the 3rd (decomposition) orthogonal axes are independent of tested environmental stressors. These findings suggest a fungal economics space which can now be tested at broader scales

A novel glucuronoxylan hydrolase produced by fermentation is safe as feed additive: toxicology and tolerance in broiler chickens

The current study presents a safety evaluation of a novel glucuronoxylan hydrolase (EC 3.2.1.136) from Bacillus subtilis produced in Bacillus licheniformis. The glucuronoxylan hydrolase preparation did not exhibit irritative potential to the eye and skin when applied in in vitro models. The glucuronoxylan hydrolase preparation was non-mutagenic and non-clastogenic in in vitro tests. Oral administration of the glucuronoxylan hydrolase preparation to rats did not cause any adverse effect in a 90-days subchronic toxicity study. A tolerance study was performed with broiler chickens and confirmed that this glucuronoxylan hydrolase is safe for broiler chickens when fed at the maximum recommended dose, as well as at the 10 times higher dose. In conclusion, there are no safety concerns with using this novel glucuronoxylan hydrolase as a feed additive as it is toxicologically inert and the glucuronoxylan hydrolase is well tolerated by broiler chickens. The beneficial safety evaluation of glucuronoxylan hydrolase is consistent with the fact that this type of enzyme is ubiquitous in nature.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of Community-Based Maternal Health Workers on Coverage of Essential Maternal Health Interventions among Internally Displaced Communities in Eastern Burma: The MOM Project

Mullany and colleagues report outcomes from a project involving delivery of community-based maternal health services in eastern Burma, and report substantial increases in coverage of care

Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Health system planning requires careful assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemiology, but data for morbidity and mortality of this disease are scarce or non-existent in many countries. We estimated the global, regional, and national burden of CKD, as well as the burden of cardiovascular disease and gout attributable to impaired kidney function, for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017. We use the term CKD to refer to the morbidity and mortality that can be directly attributed to all stages of CKD, and we use the term impaired kidney function to refer to the additional risk of CKD from cardiovascular disease and gout. Methods The main data sources we used were published literature, vital registration systems, end-stage kidney disease registries, and household surveys. Estimates of CKD burden were produced using a Cause of Death Ensemble model and a Bayesian meta-regression analytical tool, and included incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, mortality, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). A comparative risk assessment approach was used to estimate the proportion of cardiovascular diseases and gout burden attributable to impaired kidney function. Findings Globally, in 2017, 1·2 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·2 to 1·3) people died from CKD. The global all-age mortality rate from CKD increased 41·5% (95% UI 35·2 to 46·5) between 1990 and 2017, although there was no significant change in the age-standardised mortality rate (2·8%, −1·5 to 6·3). In 2017, 697·5 million (95% UI 649·2 to 752·0) cases of all-stage CKD were recorded, for a global prevalence of 9·1% (8·5 to 9·8). The global all-age prevalence of CKD increased 29·3% (95% UI 26·4 to 32·6) since 1990, whereas the age-standardised prevalence remained stable (1·2%, −1·1 to 3·5). CKD resulted in 35·8 million (95% UI 33·7 to 38·0) DALYs in 2017, with diabetic nephropathy accounting for almost a third of DALYs. Most of the burden of CKD was concentrated in the three lowest quintiles of Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In several regions, particularly Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, the burden of CKD was much higher than expected for the level of development, whereas the disease burden in western, eastern, and central sub-Saharan Africa, east Asia, south Asia, central and eastern Europe, Australasia, and western Europe was lower than expected. 1·4 million (95% UI 1·2 to 1·6) cardiovascular disease-related deaths and 25·3 million (22·2 to 28·9) cardiovascular disease DALYs were attributable to impaired kidney function. Interpretation Kidney disease has a major effect on global health, both as a direct cause of global morbidity and mortality and as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. CKD is largely preventable and treatable and deserves greater attention in global health policy decision making, particularly in locations with low and middle SDI