Space21Future – Aufbau eines partizipativen Medienlabs für Floridsdorf inmitten der Covid-19 Krise

Dieser medienimpulse Beitrag soll die Überlegungen aufzeigen, welche dem Projekt "Space21Future", einem MediaLab in Wien-Floridsdorf, zugrundeliegen. Weiters soll erläutert werden, wie das Space21Future inmitten der Covid-19-Situationaufgebaut und trotz eines ständigen Wechsels zwischen Sessions vor Ort im Lab, Unterricht inKleingruppen an den Schulstandorten und im „distance-learning“ die gesteckten Angebote und Ziele erreicht werden

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics partikelbasierte Strömungsberechnung zur Anwendung in der Siedlungswasserwirtschaft

Zahlreiche Strömungsprobleme in der Siedlungswasserwirtschaft können mittels vereinfachter Methoden berechnet werden. Zum Beispiel werden Reaktoren meist als voll durchmischt angenommen und Gerinneströmungen durch ein eindimensionales Modell approximiert. Beeinflusst aber die Strömung die Funktion der Infrastruktur, ist es notwendig, komplexere numerische Berechnungen mit Computational-Fluid-Dynamics-Methoden durchzuführen. Beispiele dafür sind die Modellierung von Absetzbecken, Faulbehältern und komplexen Mischwasserbehandlungsanlagen. Numerische Strömungsberechnungen in der Siedlungswasserwirtschaft verwenden bislang gitterbasierte Computational-Fluid-Dynamics-Methoden. In diesem Artikel wird anhand von Beispielen die Anwendungsmöglichkeit einer alternativen partikelbasierten Methode, nämlich von Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics, diskutiert.Many of the fluid dynamics problems involved in sanitary engineering can be calculated with the help of simplified methods. For example, reactors are most often assumed to be fully mixed and open-channel flows are approximated using a one-dimensional model. If the flows influence the function of the infrastructure, however, it becomes necessary to carry out more complex numerical calculations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods; examples include the modeling of sedimentation tanks, digesters and complex mixed water treatment facilities. To date, numerical calculations in sanitary engineering have used grid-based CFD methods. The following article discusses the potential applications of an alternative particle-based method, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics, on the basis of practical examples.(VLID)899113Version of recor

Inflammatory tissue response in human soft tissue is caused by a higher particle load near carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK compared to titanium plates

Titanium as the leading implant material in locked plating is challenged by polymers such as carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK), which became the focus of interest of researchers and manufacturers in recent years. However, data on human tissue response to these new implant materials are rare. Osteosynthesis plates and peri–implant soft tissue samples of 16 healed proximal humerus fractures were examined (n = 8 CFR-PEEK, n = 8 titanium). Soft tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and μCT. The entrapped foreign bodies were further examined for their material composition by FTIR. To gain insight into their origin and formation mechanism, explanted and new plates were evaluated by SEM, EDX, profilometry and HR-CT. In the peri–implant soft tissue of the CFR-PEEK plates, an inflammatory tissue reaction was detected. Tissues contained foreign bodies, which could be identified as tantalum wires, carbon fiber fragments and PEEK particles. Titanium particles were also found in the peri–implant soft tissue of the titanium plates but showed a less intense surrounding tissue inflammation in immunohistochemistry. The surface of explanted CFR-PEEK plates was rougher and showed exposed and broken carbon fibers as well as protruding and deformed tantalum wires, especially in used screw holes, whereas scratches were identified on the titanium plate surfaces. Particles were present in the peri–implant soft tissue neighboring both implant materials and could be clearly assigned to the plate material. Particles from both plate materials caused detectable tissue inflammation, with more inflammatory cells found in soft tissue over CFR-PEEK plates than over titanium plates

Development and operation of emerging technologies labs and makerspaces in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis : a case study

While the technological dimension of our digital world is advancing at a rapid pace, the Covid-19 crisis has revealed that the digital transformation and readiness of schools and adult education, is having difficulties in adapting and keeping up. However, at the same time, the crisis has exposed the importance and central role of digital technologies and above all, digital literacy as an underpinning pedagogical approach, within education systems, as well as in our professional and personal lives. Emerging Technologies Labs and Makerspaces or hybrid versions of both are one possibility to get further training in the field of digital transformation and readiness. These labs can be bound to one location or even offer mobile functionalities and can be used by elementary schools to universities and adult education. The specific objective for appropriate use, depends on the equipment, but above all, on the underlying learning and pedagogical models. In this paper, the authors discuss two important aspects: (i) What makes a successful Emerging Technologies Lab / a well-designed Makerspace? (ii) Which good practices and approaches are commendable and why? As such, this paper takes an explorative approach to identify the underpinning value of Emerging Technologies Lab and Makerspaces, vis-à-vis the digital transformation and readiness in the educational sector. This will be achieved through a mixed methods approach involving an online survey, followed by expert statements and an introduction of role models.peer-reviewe

Elevated Levels of the Complement Activation Product C4d in Bronchial Fluids for the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

Molecular markers in bronchial fluids may contribute to the diagnosis of lung cancer. We previously observed a significant increase of C4d-containing complement degradation fragments in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatants from lung cancer patients in a cohort of 50 cases and 22 controls (CUN cohort). The present study was designed to determine the diagnostic performance of these complement fragments (hereinafter jointly referred as C4d) in bronchial fluids. C4d levels were determined in BAL supernatants from two independent cohorts: the CU cohort (25 cases and 26 controls) and the HUVR cohort (60 cases and 98 controls). A series of spontaneous sputum samples from 68 patients with lung cancer and 10 controls was also used (LCCCIO cohort). Total protein content, complement C4, complement C5a, and CYFRA 21-1 were also measured in all cohorts. C4d levels were significantly increased in BAL samples from lung cancer patients. The area under the ROC curve was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.71-0.94) and 0.67 (95% CI = 0.58-0.76) for the CU and HUVR cohorts, respectively. In addition, unlike the other markers, C4d levels in BAL samples were highly consistent across the CUN, CU and HUVR cohorts. Interestingly, C4d test markedly increased the sensitivity of bronchoscopy in the two cohorts in which cytological data were available (CUN and HUVR cohorts). Finally, in the LCCCIO cohort, C4d levels were higher in sputum supernatants from patients with lung cancer (area under the ROC curve: 0.7; 95% CI = 0.56-0.83). In conclusion, C4d is consistently elevated in bronchial fluids from lung cancer patients and may be used to improve the diagnosis of the disease

Weight gain in mid-childhood and its relationship with the fast food environment

© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. Background Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue. Understanding environmental factors and their contribution to weight gain is important if interventions are to be effective. Aims The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between weight gain in children and accessibility of fast-food outlets. Methods A longitudinal sample of 1577 children was created using two time points from the National Child Measurement Programme in South Gloucestershire (2006/7 and 2012/13). A spatial analysis was conducted using a weighted accessibility score on the number of fast-food outlets within a 1-km network radius of each child's residence to quantify access to fast food. Results The mean accessibility score for all children was 0.73 (standard deviation: 1.14). Fast-food outlets were more prevalent in areas of deprivation. A moderate association was found between deprivation score and accessibilty score (r = 0.4, P 50 percentile points) compared to children who had no access to fast-food outlets. Conclusions This paper supports previous research that fast-food outlets are more prevalent in areas of deprivation and presents new evidence on fast-food outlets as a potential contributor towards weight gain in mid-childhood

Correlation of SHOX2 Gene Amplification and DNA Methylation in Lung Cancer Tumors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>DNA methylation in the <it>SHOX2 </it>locus was previously used to reliably detect lung cancer in a group of critical controls, including 'cytologically negative' samples with no visible tumor cell content, at a high specificity based on the analysis of bronchial lavage samples. This study aimed to investigate, if the methylation correlates with <it>SHOX2 </it>gene expression and/or copy number alterations. An amplification of the <it>SHOX2 </it>gene locus together with the observed tumor-specific hypermethylation might explain the good performance of this marker in bronchial lavage samples.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>SHOX2 </it>expression, gene copy number and DNA methylation were determined in lung tumor tissues and matched morphologically normal adjacent tissues (NAT) from 55 lung cancer patients. Quantitative HeavyMethyl (HM) real-time PCR was used to detect <it>SHOX2 </it>DNA methylation levels. <it>SHOX2 </it>expression was assayed with quantitative real-time PCR, and copy numbers alterations were measured with conventional real-time PCR and array CGH.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A hypermethylation of the <it>SHOX2 </it>locus in tumor tissue as compared to the matched NAT from the same patient was detected in 96% of tumors from a group of 55 lung cancer patients. This correlated highly significantly with the frequent occurrence of copy number amplification (p < 0.0001), while the expression of the <it>SHOX2 </it>gene showed no difference.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Frequent gene amplification correlated with hypermethylation of the <it>SHOX2 </it>gene locus. This concerted effect qualifies <it>SHOX2 </it>DNA methylation as a biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis, especially when sensitive detection is needed, i.e. in bronchial lavage or blood samples.</p