The Yo-Yo Intermittent Tests: A Systematic Review and Structured Compendium of Test Results

Background: Although Yo-Yo intermittent tests are frequently used in a variety of sports and research studies to determine physical fitness, no structured reference exists for comparison and rating of test results. This systematic review of the most common Yo-Yo tests aimed to provide reference values for test results by statistical aggregation of published data.Methods: A systematic literature search for articles published until August 2017 was performed in MEDLINE, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar. Original reports on healthy females and males ≥16 years were eligible for the analysis. Sub-maximal test versions and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 Children's test (YYIR1C) were not included.Results: 248 studies with 9,440 participants were included in the structured analysis. The Yo-Yo test types most frequently used were the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (YYIR1, 57.7%), the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 (YYIR2, 28.0%), the Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Level 2 (YYIE2, 11.4%), and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Level 1 (YYIE1, 2.9%) test. For each separate test, reference values (global means and percentiles) for sports at different levels and both genders were calculated.Conclusions: Our analysis provides evidence that Yo-Yo intermittent tests reference values differ with respect to the type and level of sport performed.The presented results may be used by practitioners, trainers and athletes to rate Yo-Yo intermittent test performance levels and monitor training effects

Prospective International Multicenter Pelvic Floor Study:Short-Term Follow-Up and Clinical Findings for Combined Pectopexy and Native Tissue Repair

Efforts to use traditional native tissue strategies and reduce the use of meshes have been made in several countries. Combining native tissue repair with sufficient mesh applied apical repair might provide a means of effective treatment. The study group did perform and publish a randomized trial focusing on the combination of traditional native tissue repair with pectopexy or sacrocolpopexy and observed no severe or hitherto unknown risks for patients (Noé G.K. J Endourol 2015;29(2):210–215). The short-term follow-up of this international multicenter study carried out now is presented in this article. Material and Methods: Eleven clinics and 13 surgeons in four European counties participated in the trial. In order to ensure a standardized approach and obtain comparable data, all surgeons were obliged to follow a standardized approach for pectopexy, focusing on the area of fixation and the use of a prefabricated mesh (PVDF PRP 3 × 15 Dynamesh). The mesh was solely used for apical repair. All other clinically relevant defects were treated with native tissue repair. Colposuspension or TVT were used for the treatment of incontinence. Data were collected independently for 14 months on a secured server; 501 surgeries were registered and evaluated. Two hundred and sixty-four patients out of 479 (55.1%) returned for the physical examination and interview after 12–18 months. Main Outcome and Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 15 months. The overall success of apical repair was rated positively by 96.9%, and the satisfaction score was rated positively by 95.5%. A positive general recommendation was expressed by 95.1% of patients. Pelvic pressure was reduced in 95.2%, pain in 98.0%, and urgency in 86.0% of patients. No major complications, mesh exposure, or mesh complication occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusion: In clinical routine, pectopexy and concomitant surgery, mainly using native tissue approaches, resulted in high satisfaction rates and favorable clinical findings. The procedure may also be recommended for use by general urogynecological practitioners with experience in laparoscopy

Development of a biodegradable microstent for minimally invasive treatment of Fallopian tube occlusions

Obstructions of the Fallopian tube represent one of the most common reasons for an unfulfilled desire to have children. Microstent technology opens up new therapeutic possibilities to restore the natural lumen of the Fallopian tube within a single treatment. Within the current work we developed a self-expandable biodegradable microstent for gynecological applications. Based on a novel microstent design, prototypes were manufactured from poly-L-lactide tubing by means of fs-laser cutting. Microstent prototypes were characterized morphologically by means of scanning electron microscopy and biaxial laser scanning. As manufactured, a microstents outside diameter of about 2.3 mm and a strut thickness/width of about 114 µm/103 µm was measured. Mechanical characterization of microstents included bending as well as crimping and release behavior. After crimping to a minimum diameter of 0.8 mm and consecutive release, a microstent recovery to a diameter of 1.8 mm was found. Therefore, proof-of-concept for the self-expandable microstent could be successfully provided. © 2020 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston 2020

Risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic-Results of a web-based multinational cross-sectional study

Objective To assess risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic using Mind-COVID, a prospective cross-sectional study that compares outcomes in middle-income economies and high-income economies. Methods A total of 7102 pregnant women from 12 high-income economies and nine middle-income economies were included. The web-based survey used two standardized instruments, General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Result Pregnant women in high-income economies reported higher PHQ-9 (0.18 standard deviation [SD], P < 0.001) and GAD-7 (0.08 SD, P = 0.005) scores than those living in middle-income economies. Multivariate regression analysis showed that increasing PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales were associated with mental health problems during pregnancy and the need for psychiatric treatment before pregnancy. PHQ-9 was associated with a feeling of burden related to restrictions in social distancing, and access to leisure activities. GAD-7 scores were associated with a pregnancy-related complication, fear of adverse outcomes in children related to COVID-19, and feeling of burden related to finances. Conclusions According to this study, the imposed public health measures and hospital restrictions have left pregnant women more vulnerable during these difficult times. Adequate partner and family support during pregnancy and childbirth can be one of the most important protective factors against anxiety and depression, regardless of national economic status

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

High-dimensional quantum dynamics of small molecules on solid surfaces

0\. Titelblatt/Inhaltsverzeichnis/Kurzfassung 1 1\. Einleitung 7 2\. Das quantendynamische Problem 11 3\. Parallelisierung 37 4\. Laserinduzierte Desorption: CO/Chrom(III)-oxid(0001) 59 5\. Zusammenfassung 111 A. Anhang/Literaturverzeichnis 115In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die hochdimensionale Quantendynamik kleiner Moleküle auf Festkörperoberflächen mit paralleler Rechentechnik simuliert. Anhand der Analyse effizienter Darstellungen von Molekülen auf Oberflächen werden pseudospektrale Algorithmen eingeführt, die zwei konjugierte Darstellungen durch schnelle Transformationen miteinander verbinden. Für solche Algorithmen wird systematisch ein allgemeines Parallelisierungskonzept entwickelt, das auf der Kommunikation durch message passing beruht. Zuerst wird eine flexible Datenzerlegung in allen Dimensionen präsentiert, die einen perfekten Lastenausgleich in beiden Darstellungen sicherstellt. Danach wird ein dreidimensionales Kommunikationsschema entworfen, das die schnellen Transformationen auf der zerlegten Datenstruktur optimal vermittelt. Die Rechenleistung der parallelisierten Implementation wird in einer nachfolgenden Speedup-Analyse demonstriert. Als eine groß skalierende Anwendung wird zum erstenmal eine vierdimensionale quantendynamische Simulation der laserinduzierten Desorption am Beispiel des Adosorbat-Substrat-Systems CO/Chrom(III)-oxid(0001) durchgeführt. Sowohl Rotations- als auch Lateraldynamik der photodesorbierenden CO-Moleküle werden im Rahmen einer stochastischen Wellenpaketmethode auf ab initio Potentialflächen untersucht. Die Drehimpulsverteilung wird mit Orientierungs- und Ausrichtungsparametern vollständig beschrieben und interpretiert. Die laterale Geschwindikeitsverteilung wird bezüglich des Auftretens und der Bevorzugung lateraler Geschwindigkeiten analysiert. Ein detaillierter Vergleich der theoretischen Resultate mit experimentellen Ergebnissen quantenzustandsaufgelöster (1+1') REMPI-Messungen wird vorgenommen.In the thesis on hand, high-dimensional quantum dynamics of small molecules on solid surfaces is simulated on parallel computing power. By analyzing efficient representations of molecules on surfaces, pseudospectral algorithms are introduced that connect two conjugated representations by fast transforms. Devised for such algorithms, a general parallelization concept based on communication by message passing is systematically developed. First, a flexible data decomposition in all dimensions is presented that ensures perfect load balancing in both representations. Then, a three-dimensional communication scheme is expounded that optimally arranges the fast transforms on the decomposed data structure. The performance outcome of the parallelized implementation is demonstrated in a following speedup analysis. As large scale application, the first four-dimensional quantum dynamical simulation of laser induced desorption is performed on the exemplary adsorbate-substrate system CO/Chromium(III)oxide(0001). Both rotational and lateral dynamics of the photodesorbing CO molecules are investigated within a stochastic wave packet scheme employing ab initio potential energy surfaces. The angular momentum distribution is completely described and interpreted in terms of orientation and alignment parameters. The lateral velocity distribution is analyzed with regard to occurrence and preference of lateral velocities. A detailed comparison of the theoretical results with experimental findings from quantum state resolved (1+1') REMPI measurements is drawn