Investigating the Effects of a Virtual Process Environment on the Comprehension of Business Process Models

Within the scope of Business Process Management and Modeling, gamification is used, inter alia, to promote process model comprehension and for motivational and educational purposes. In the context of gamification in Business Process Management, this master thesis aims to investigate the effects of a virtual process environment on the cognitive load a process reader perceives during the comprehension of a process model. The comprehension of process models is essential for the proper modeling of business processes, and vice versa. In addition to the previous research approaches in terms of gamification regarding the management and modeling of business processes, this master thesis takes into account concepts from cognitive research. A study with 72 participants was conducted online. Thereby, measures of interest were the cognitive load of the textual process description, the process model and the process model extended with graphics extracted from the virtual process environment. Therefore, a fractorial desgin was established as only the process model was extended with static pictures. The virtual process environment is realized through a video based on a 3D - warehouse scenario game. As a result, no significant difference in the perceived cognitive load of the process reader was found between the three process variants. In summary, after experiencing a virtual process environment, the cognitive load of the process documentations does not differ significantly. Further analysis has shown that the process reader’s confidence in the completeness and adequacy of the shown process documentation is associated with the process document variant. Participants were more confident about the correctness of the process model extended with graphics

Malic enzyme 1 absence in synovial sarcoma shifts antioxidant system dependence and increases sensitivity to ferroptosis induction with ACXT-3102

PURPOSE: To investigate the metabolism of synovial sarcoma (SS) and elucidate the effect of malic enzyme 1 absence on SS redox homeostasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: ME1 expression was measured in SS clinical samples, SS cell lines, and tumors from an SS mouse model. The effect of ME1 absence on glucose metabolism was evaluated utilizing Seahorse assays, metabolomics, and C13 tracings. The impact of ME1 absence on SS redox homeostasis was evaluated by metabolomics, cell death assays with inhibitors of antioxidant systems, and measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The susceptibility of ME1-null SS to ferroptosis induction was interrogated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: ME1 absence in SS was confirmed in clinical samples, SS cell lines, and an SS tumor model. Investigation of SS glucose metabolism revealed that ME1-null cells exhibit higher rates of glycolysis and higher flux of glucose into the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), which is necessary to produce NADPH. Evaluation of cellular redox homeostasis demonstrated that ME1 absence shifts dependence from the glutathione system to the thioredoxin system. Concomitantly, ME1 absence drives the accumulation of ROS and labile iron. ROS and iron accumulation enhances the susceptibility of ME1-null cells to ferroptosis induction with inhibitors of xCT (erastin and ACXT-3102). In vivo xenograft models of ME1-null SS demonstrate significantly increased tumor response to ACXT-3102 compared with ME1-expressing controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the translational potential of targeting redox homeostasis in ME1-null cancers and establish the preclinical rationale for a phase I trial of ACXT-3102 in SS patients. See related commentary by Subbiah and Gan, p. 3408

withdrawn 2017 hrs ehra ecas aphrs solaece expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation

n/

Visual impairment and blindness in institutionalized elderly in Germany

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of and identify factors associated with visual impairment and blindness in institutionalized elderly in Germany.MethodsIn this prospective multicenter cross-sectional study, ophthalmic health care need and provision were investigated in institutionalized elderly in 32 nursing homes in Germany. All participants underwent a standardized examination including medical and ocular history, refraction, visual acuity testing, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and dilated funduscopy. A standardized questionnaire was used to identify factors associated with eye healthcare utilization, visual impairment and/or blindness.ResultsVisual acuity of 566 (94.3%; 413 women and 153 men) of a total of 600 institutionalized elderly was determined. Mean age of the included patients was 82.9years (9.8). Of all participants, 30 (5.3%; 95% CI 3.4-7.2%) were blind and 106 (18.7%; 95% CI 15.5-21.9%) were moderately or severely visually impaired according to the World Health Organization definition. The 136 blind and moderately or severely visually impaired participants were older (OR, Odds Ratio=1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.1; p<0.001), and more likely to have reduced mobility (OR=12.6, 95% CI 2.8-57.6; p=0.001).Conclusion p id=Par4 A high proportion of blindness and visual impairment was found amongst nursing home residents. Age and reduced mobility were factors associated with an increased likelihood of blindness and visual impairment. Any surveys of blindness and visual impairment excluding nursing homes may considerably underestimate the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness