Modelling Emergency Scenarios using Algebraic High Level Net Transformation Systems with Net Patterns

Emergency operations are a good case study for dynamic systems. Their size and high dynamicity make modelling them a challenging task. Algebraic high level net transformation systems are a well suited technique for modelling such dynamic systems. They consist of an algebraic high level net and a set of graph transformation rules. The net reflects the initial state of the operation and the transformation rules can be used to adapt this state to reflect the dynamicity of the operation. The applicability of graph transformation rules depends on the existence of a match morphism. While designing the algebraic high level net transformation system the designer has to ensure the existence of the right match morphisms for all reachable runtime states. This can be a tedious and error prone task for the designer. This paper uses a case study for modelling emergency operations with algebraic high level net transformation systems to show how the notion of net patterns can help the designer to cope with rule applicability

Infrarot-Ellipsometrie-Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Wärme und Feuchte auf organische Halbleiter sowie zum Einfluss der Morphologie von Goldfilmen auf ihre dielektrische Funktion

Die dielektrischen Funktionen von Dünnfilmen untersuchter, polykristalliner organischer Halbleiter, die sich aus Infrarotellipsometrie- (IRSE)-Messungen ermitteln lassen, sind raumrichtungsabhängig. Am Beispiel von Merocyanin wird gezeigt, dass durch einen Vergleich der dielektrischen Funktion mit quantenchemisch berechneten Schwingungsanregungen, die mittlere Orientierung der Moleküle in Dünnfilmen bestimmt werden kann. Eine Orientierungsänderung durch Erwärmen der Filme liefert eine Erklärung für die Verdopplung des Füllfaktors einer Merocyanin/C60-Solarzelle. An Dünnfilmen eines Naphthalindiimids wird nachgewiesen, dass der Einfluss von erhöhter Luftfeuchte und Temperatur zur Ausdehnung der Kristallite und zur stellenweise Entnetzung des genutzten SiO2/Si-Substrats führt. Hier werden die IRSE-Messungen, in denen sich eine Erhöhung der Molekülordnung parallel zur Substratoberfläche beobachten lässt, mit Rasterkraftmikroskopie- (AFM)-Aufnahmen kombiniert. Auf den Filmen aufbauende Transistoren zeigen einen starken Abfall des Stromflusses und die Zunahme einer unbeabsichtigten Dotierung mit der Lagerungszeit in erhöhter Feuchte und Wärme. In trockener Wärme kann die Dotierung reduziert werden. Für Polytriarylamin-Dünnfilme wird eine Oxidation bei Lagerung in erhöhter Temperatur nachgewiesen. Des Weiteren wird die Herstellung solcher Filme per Flexodruck untersucht, wobei sich Verunreinigungen in den Filmen finden lassen. Ergänzend wird gezeigt, dass die Modellierung von IR-Spektren rauer Goldfilme durch einen einfachen Drude-Oszillator zu einer effektiven Plasmafrequenz führt, die sich von derer glatter Filme unterscheidet und mit dem metallischen Volumenanteil eines effektiven Mediums aus Gold und Hohlräumen skaliert. Die Streurate hingegen erhöht sich mit sinkender Größe der in AFM-Bildern beobachteten Goldkristallite

Neuromonitoring in Neonatal-Onset Epileptic Encephalopathies

Considering the wide spectrum of etiologies of neonatal-onset epileptic encephalopathies (EE) and their unfavorable consequences for neurodevelopmental prognoses, neuromonitoring at-risk neonates is increasingly important. EEG is highly sensitive for early identification of electrographic seizures and abnormal background activity. Amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) is recommended as a useful bedside monitoring method but as a complementary tool because of methodical limitations. It is of special significance in monitoring neonates with acute symptomatic as well as structural, metabolic and genetic neonatal-onset EE, being at high risk of electrographic-only and prolonged seizures. EEG/aEEG monitoring is established as an adjunctive tool to confirm perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). In neonates with HIE undergoing therapeutic hypothermia, burst suppression pattern is associated with good outcomes in about 40% of the patients. The prognostic specificity of EEG/aEEG is lower compared to cMRI. As infants with HIE may develop seizures after cessation of hypothermia, recording for at least 24 h after the last seizure is recommended. Progress in the identification of genetic etiology of neonatal EE constantly increases. However, presently, no specific EEG changes indicative of a genetic variant have been characterized, except for individual variants associated with typical EEG patterns (e.g., KCNQ2, KCNT1). Long-term monitoring studies are necessary to define and classify electro-clinical patterns of neonatal-onset EE

Stillen und Selbstwirksamkeit

Das Hauptaugenmerk dieser Arbeit liegt auf der Darstellung des Zusammenhangs der Selbstwirksamkeit und des Stillens. Die Absicht war ein Fundament für eine deutsche Übersetzung der Stillselbstwirksamkeitsskala nach Dennis zu schaffen. Im ersten Abschnitt wird ein evidenzbasierter Überblick über die Physiologie des Stillens, die Argumente für das Stillen, internationale und nationale Stillempfehlungen und die Stillsituation in Österreich gegeben. Der zweite Abschnitt beleuchtet den Zusammenhang zwischen dem Stillen und der Selbstwirksamkeit näher. Das Konzept der Selbstwirksamkeit nach Bandura, Anwendungen des Konzepts im Gesundheitsbereich, sowie die theoretischen Grundlagen zur Stillselbstwirksamkeit nach Dennis werden beschrieben. Stillselbstwirksamkeit bezeichnet das Vermögen einer Frau Vertrauen in ihre Stillfähigkeit zu haben, sie reflektiert die Annahme der Frau über ihre Fähigkeit zu Stillen. Die Entwicklung der Stillselbstwirksamkeitsskala und ihrer Kurzform werden dargestellt. Neben einer hohen Anwenderinnenfreundlichkeit, weisen die psychometrischen Testergebnisse die Kurzform der Skala, als ein hervorragendes Instrument (a) zur Identifizierung von Müttern mit hohem Risiko zum vorzeitigen Abstillen, (b) zur Entwicklung individueller Unterstützungsmaßnahmen und (c) zur Evaluierung von Interventionen und Entwicklung von Leitfäden in der Beratung von Schwangeren und Stillenden aus. Die Skala wurde bereits in zahlreiche Sprachen übersetzt. Richtlinien für eine evidenzbasierte Übersetzung ins Deutsche und ein Ausblick für die Anwendung der Skala im österreichischen Kontext bilden den Abschluss der Arbeit.The focus of this thesis is on the description of the correlation between self-efficacy and breastfeeding. The intention was to build a fundament for a German translation of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale originally developed by Dennis. In the first part is given an evidence based overview on the physiology of breastfeeding. International and national recommendations and arguments pro breastfeeding are highlighted as well as the breastfeeding situation in Austria. The second part points out the connection between breastfeeding and self-efficacy. Bandura’s self-efficacy concept, the application of this concept in the health sector as well as the theoretical principals of Dennis’s breastfeeding self-efficacy are pointed out. Breastfeeding self-efficacy means the ability of a woman to have self confidence in her breastfeeding skills and reflects a woman’s assumption to be able to breastfeed. The development of the Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale (BSES) and its short form (BSES-SF) are illustrated. Next to its user-friendliness the BSES-SF is proved to be an excellent instrument to a) identify nursing women with a high risk for early ablactation, b) develop individual support programs and c) to evaluate counselling interventions and guidelines for nursing women. The BSES-SF has already been translated into several languages and so guidelines for an evidence based translation into German and future prospects for the implementation of the BSES-SF in the Austrian context are given at the end of this thesis

Neurokognitive und psychomotorische Entwicklung am Ende des ersten Lebensjahres bei Zustand mit und ohne intrauterine Glukokortikoidbehandlung

Die pränatale GC-Gabe wird bei drohender Frühgeburt zur Lungenreifeinduktion empfohlen. Potenziell ungünstige Effekte auf die morphologische Hirnreifung und die neurologische Entwicklung der Nachkommen sind Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Diskussionen. Ziel der Arbeit war, im Lebensalter von einem Jahr kognitive, motorische, sprachliche und soziale Fähigkeiten von Kindern nach pränataler GC-Exposition (GC) im Vergleich zu Kontrollkindern (K) zu erfassen. Gruppe GC: n=11 (5 Mädchen, 6 Knaben); Gestationsalter zur Geburt (GA) 37,7±2,4 SSW; Gruppe K: n= 24 (14 Mädchen, 10 Knaben) GA 39,3±1,8 SSW. Auswertung der somatischen Parameter anhand U6 und Durchführung des Bayley-III-Tests (Kategorien: Kognition, Sprache, Motorik, Sozial-Emotionales Verhalten und Alltagsfertigkeiten). Zum Zeitpunkt der Geburt signifikant niedrigeres GA und Kopfumfang in der GC-Gruppe (p30 SSW): in der Kategorie „Sprache“ 87 Punkte (30 SSW); in der Kategorie „Kognition“ 104 Punkte ( 30 SSW). Eine pränatale Glukokortikoidgabe führte bei einer zahlenmäßig begrenzten Untersuchungsgruppe von 1jährigen Kindern nicht zu signifikanten Mittelwertunterschieden hinsichtlich somatischer Parameter und Ergebnissen des Bayley-III-Tests im Vergleich zu einer Kontrollgruppe. Subgruppenanalysen innerhalb der GC-Gruppe weisen jedoch auf einen Trend zwischen dem Zeitpunkt der Gabe und den Testkategorien „Sprache“ und „Kognition“ mit niedrigeren Werten bei zeitigerer Exposition hin

Small scale screening of yeast strains enables high-throughput evaluation of performance in lignocellulose hydrolysates

Second generation biorefineries demand efficient lignocellulosic hydrolysate fermenting strains and recent advances in strain isolation and engineering have progressed the bottleneck in developing production hosts from generation of strains into testing these under relevant conditions. In this paper, we introduce a methodology for high-throughput analysis of yeast strains directly in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. The Biolector platform was used to assess aerobic and anaerobic growth of 12 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and their ΔPdr12 mutants in wheat straw hydrolysate. The strains evaluated included lab, industrial and wild type strains and the screening could capture significant differences in growth and ethanol production among the strains. The methodology was also demonstrated with corn stover hydrolysate and the results were in line with shake flask cultures. Our study demonstrates that growth in lignocellulosic hydrolysates could be rapidly monitored using 1\ua0ml cultures and that measuring growth and product formation under relevant conditions are crucial for evaluating strain performance

Nonuniversal impact of cholesterol on membranes mobility, curvature sensing and elasticity

AbstractBiological membranes, composed mainly of phospholipids and cholesterol, play a vital role as cellular barriers. They undergo localized reshaping in response to environmental cues and protein interactions, with the energetics of deformations crucial for exerting biological functions. This study investigates the non-universal role of cholesterol on the structure and elasticity of saturated and unsaturated lipid membranes. Our study uncovers a highly cooperative relationship between thermal membrane bending and local cholesterol redistribution, with cholesterol showing a strong preference for the compressed membrane leaflet. Remarkably, in unsaturated membranes, increased cholesterol mobility enhances cooperativity, resulting in membrane softening despite membrane thickening and lipid compression caused by cholesterol. These findings elucidate the intricate interplay between thermodynamic forces and local molecular interactions that govern collective properties of membranes.</jats:p

Erratum: Zahn et al. Manipulation of Medicinal Products for Oral Administration to Paediatric Patients at a German University Hospital: An Observational Study. Pharmaceutics 2020, 12, 583

The authors wish to make the following corrections to the affiliation and acknowledgments part [...

Differential co-assembly of α1-GABAARs associated with epileptic encephalopathy

GABAA receptors (GABAARs) are profoundly important for controlling neuronal excitability. Spontaneous and familial mutations to these receptors feature prominently in excitability disorders and neurodevelopmental deficits following disruption to GABA-mediated inhibition. Recent genotyping of an individual with severe epilepsy and Williams-Beuren Syndrome identified a frameshifting de novo variant in a major GABAAR gene, GABRA1. This truncated the α1 subunit between the third and fourth transmembrane domains and introduced 24 new residues forming the mature protein, α1Lys374Serfs*25 Cell surface expression of mutant murine GABAARs is severely impaired compared to wild-type, due to retention in the endoplasmic reticulum. Mutant receptors were differentially co-expressed with β3, but not with β2 subunits in mammalian cells. Reduced surface expression was reflected by smaller inhibitory postsynaptic currents, which may underlie the induction of seizures. The mutant does not have a dominant negative effect on native neuronal GABAAR expression since GABA current density was unaffected in hippocampal neurons, even though mutant receptors exhibited limited GABA sensitivity. To date, the underlying mechanism is unique for epileptogenic variants and involves differential β subunit expression of GABAAR populations, which profoundly affected receptor function and synaptic inhibition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTGABAARs are critical for controlling neural network excitability. They are ubiquitously distributed throughout the brain and their dysfunction underlies many neurological disorders, especially epilepsy. Here we report the characterisation of an α1-GABAAR variant that results in severe epilepsy. The underlying mechanism is structurally unusual, with the loss of part of the α1 subunit transmembrane domain and part-replacement with nonsense residues. This led to compromised and differential α1-subunit cell surface expression with β subunits resulting in severely reduced synaptic inhibition. Our study reveals that disease-inducing variants can affect GABAAR structure, and consequently subunit assembly and cell surface expression, critically impacting on the efficacy of synaptic inhibition, a property that will orchestrate the extent and duration of neuronal excitability

A systematic review of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with an implanted vagus nerve stimulation system

Purpose Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective adjunctive treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and difficult-to-treat depression (DTD). More than 125.000 patients have been implanted with VNS Therapy® System (LivaNova PLC) since initial approval. Patients with DRE often require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain during the course of their disease. VNS Therapy System devices are labeled to allow MRI under certain conditions; however, there are no published comprehensive articles about the real-world experience using MRI in patients with implanted VNS devices. Methods A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA statement was performed using PubMed database. Full-length articles reporting MRI (1.5 T or 3 T scanner) of patients with implanted VNS for DRE or DTD and published since 2000 were included. The primary endpoint was a positive outcome that was defined as a technically uneventful MRI scan performed in accordance with the VNS Therapy System manufacturer guidelines and completed according to the researchers’ planned scanning protocol without harm to the patient. Results Twenty-six articles were eligible with 25 articles referring to the VNS Therapy System, and 216 patients were included in the analysis. No serious adverse events or serious device-related adverse events were reported. MRI scan was prematurely terminated in one patient due to a panic attack. Conclusion This systematic review indicates that cranial MRI of patients with an implanted VNS Therapy System can be completed satisfactorily and is tolerable and safe using 1.5 T and 3 T MRI scanners when performed in adherence to the VNS manufacturer’s guidelines