@article{AboulnagaZouSelmeretal.2018, author = {Aboulnaga, E. A. and Zou, H. and Selmer, Thorsten and Xian, M.}, title = {Development of a plasmid-based, tunable, tolC-derived expression system for application in Cupriavidus necator H16}, series = {Journal of Biotechnology}, volume = {274}, journal = {Journal of Biotechnology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0168-1656}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.03.007}, pages = {15 -- 27}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Cupriavidus necator H16 gains increasing attention in microbial research and biotechnological application due to its diverse metabolic features. Here we present a tightly controlled gene expression system for C. necator including the pBBR1-vector that contains hybrid promoters originating from C. necator native tolC-promoter in combination with a synthetic tetO-operator. The expression of the reporter gene from these plasmids relies on the addition of the exogenous inducer doxycycline (dc). The novel expression system offers a combination of advantageous features as; (i) high and dose-dependent recombinant protein production, (ii) tight control with a high dynamic range (On/Off ratio), which makes it applicable for harmful pathways or for toxic protein production, (iii) comparable cheap inducer (doxycycline, dc), (iv) effective at low inducer concentration, that makes it useful for large scale application, (v) rapid, diffusion controlled induction, and (vi) the inducer does not interfere within the cell metabolism. As applications of the expression system in C. necator H16, the growth ability on glycerol was enhanced by constitutively expressing the E. coli glpk gene-encoding for glycerol kinase. Likewise, we used the system to overcome the expression toxicity of mevalonate pathway in C. necator H16. With this system, the mevalonate-genes were successfully introduced in the host and the recombinant strains could produce about 200 mg/l mevalonate.}, language = {en} } @article{AlbannaKotliarLuekeetal.2018, author = {Albanna, Walid and Kotliar, Konstantin and L{\"u}ke, Jan Niklas and Alpdogan, Serdar and Conzen, Catharina and Lindauer, Ute and Clusmann, Hans and Hescheler, J{\"u}rgen and Vilser, Walthard and Schneider, Toni and Schubert, Gerrit Alexander}, title = {Non-invasive evaluation of neurovascular coupling in the murine retina by dynamic retinal vessel analysis}, series = {Plos one}, volume = {13}, journal = {Plos one}, number = {10}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0204689}, pages = {e0204689}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background Impairment of neurovascular coupling (NVC) was recently reported in the context of subarachnoid hemorrhage and may correlate with disease severity and outcome. However, previous techniques to evaluate NVC required invasive procedures. Retinal vessels may represent an alternative option for non-invasive assessment of NVC. Methods A prototype of an adapted retinal vessel analyzer was used to assess retinal vessel diameter in mice. Dynamic vessel analysis (DVA) included an application of monochromatic flicker light impulses in predefined frequencies for evaluating NVC. All retinae were harvested after DVA and electroretinograms were performed. Results A total of 104 retinal scans were conducted in 21 male mice (90 scans). Quantitative arterial recordings were feasible only in a minority of animals, showing an emphasized reaction to flicker light impulses (8 mice; 14 scans). A characteristic venous response to flicker light, however, could observed in the majority of animals. Repeated measurements resulted in a significant decrease of baseline venous diameter (7 mice; 7 scans, p < 0.05). Ex-vivo electroretinograms, performed after in-vivo DVA, demonstrated a significant reduction of transretinal signaling in animals with repeated DVA (n = 6, p < 0.001). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first non-invasive study assessing murine retinal vessel response to flicker light with characteristic changes in NVC. The imaging system can be used for basic research and enables the investigation of retinal vessel dimension and function in control mice and genetically modified animals.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrBroetzDietrichetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Br{\"o}tz, Nicolas and Dietrich, Ingo and Gally, Tristan and Geßner, Felix and Kloberdanz, Hermann and Leise, Philipp and Pelz, Peter Franz and Schlemmer, Pia and Schmitt, Andreas}, title = {Resilience in mechanical engineering - a concept for controlling uncertainty during design, production and usage phase of load-carrying structures}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, isbn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.187}, pages = {187 -- 198}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Resilience as a concept has found its way into different disciplines to describe the ability of an individual or system to withstand and adapt to changes in its environment. In this paper, we provide an overview of the concept in different communities and extend it to the area of mechanical engineering. Furthermore, we present metrics to measure resilience in technical systems and illustrate them by applying them to load-carrying structures. By giving application examples from the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 805, we show how the concept of resilience can be used to control uncertainty during different stages of product life.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrEdererPfetschetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Ederer, Thorsten and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Pelz, Peter F.}, title = {Maschinelles Design eines optimalen Getriebes}, series = {ATZ - Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift}, volume = {120}, journal = {ATZ - Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift}, number = {10}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {2192-8800}, doi = {10.1007/s35148-018-0131-3}, pages = {72 -- 77}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Nahezu 100.000 denkbare Strukturen kann ein Getriebe bei gleicher Funktion aufweisen - je nach Ganganzahl und gefordertem Freiheitsgrad. Mit dem traditionellen Ansatz bei der Entwicklung, einzelne vielversprechende Systemkonfigurationen manuell zu identifizieren und zu vergleichen, k{\"o}nnen leicht innovative und vor allem kostenminimale L{\"o}sungen {\"u}bersehen werden. Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojekts hat die TU Darmstadt spezielle Optimierungsmethoden angewendet, um auch bei großen L{\"o}sungsr{\"a}umen zielsicher ein f{\"u}r die individuellen Zielstellungen optimales Layout zu finden.}, language = {de} } @article{AltherrJoggerstLeiseetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Joggerst, Laura and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas and Wendt, Janine}, title = {On obligations in the development process of resilient systems with algorithmic design methods}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, number = {885}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, isbn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.240}, pages = {240 -- 252}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Advanced computational methods are needed both for the design of large systems and to compute high accuracy solutions. Such methods are efficient in computation, but the validation of results is very complex, and highly skilled auditors are needed to verify them. We investigate legal questions concerning obligations in the development phase, especially for technical systems developed using advanced methods. In particular, we consider methods of resilient and robust optimization. With these techniques, high performance solutions can be found, despite a high variety of input parameters. However, given the novelty of these methods, it is uncertain whether legal obligations are being met. The aim of this paper is to discuss if and how the choice of a specific computational method affects the developer's product liability. The review of legal obligations in this paper is based on German law and focuses on the requirements that must be met during the design and development process.}, language = {en} } @article{AltherrLeisePfetschetal.2018, author = {Altherr, Lena and Leise, Philipp and Pfetsch, Marc E. and Schmitt, Andreas}, title = {Algorithmic design and resilience assessment of energy efficient high-rise water supply systems}, series = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, volume = {885}, journal = {Applied Mechanics and Materials}, publisher = {Trans Tech Publications}, address = {B{\"a}ch}, issn = {1662-7482}, doi = {10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.885.211}, pages = {211 -- 223}, year = {2018}, abstract = {High-rise water supply systems provide water flow and suitable pressure in all levels of tall buildings. To design such state-of-the-art systems, the consideration of energy efficiency and the anticipation of component failures are mandatory. In this paper, we use Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming to compute an optimal placement of pipes and pumps, as well as an optimal control strategy.Moreover, we consider the resilience of the system to pump failures. A resilient system is able to fulfill a predefined minimum functionality even though components fail or are restricted in their normal usage. We present models to measure and optimize the resilience. To demonstrate our approach, we design and analyze an optimal resilient decentralized water supply system inspired by a real-life hotel building.}, language = {en} } @article{BabilonWilbringTappertetal.2018, author = {Babilon, Katharina and Wilbring, Daniela and Tappert, Tim and Pfaff, Raphael and Enning, Manfred}, title = {Schienenfahrzeugtechnik hands on - FH Aachen IMechE Railway Challenge}, series = {Ingenieurspiegel}, journal = {Ingenieurspiegel}, number = {2}, publisher = {Public Verlag}, address = {Bingen}, issn = {1868-5919}, pages = {20 -- 22}, year = {2018}, language = {de} } @article{BalakirskiKotliarPaulyetal.2018, author = {Balakirski, Galina and Kotliar, Konstantin and Pauly, Karolin J. and Krings, Laura K. and R{\"u}bben, Albert and Baron, Jens M. and Schmitt, Laurenz}, title = {Surgical Site Infections After Dermatologic Surgery in Immunocompromised Patients: A Single-Center Experience}, series = {Dermatologic Surgery}, journal = {Dermatologic Surgery}, number = {44 (12)}, publisher = {Wolters Kluwer}, doi = {10.1097/DSS.0000000000001615}, pages = {1525 -- 1536}, year = {2018}, abstract = {BACKGROUND Immunosuppression is often considered as an indication for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infections (SSI) while performing skin surgery. However, the data on the risk of developing SSI after dermatologic surgery in immunosuppressed patients are limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen in Aachen, Germany, who underwent hospitalization for a dermatologic surgery between June 2016 and January 2017 (6 months), were followed up after surgery until completion of the wound healing process. The follow-up addressed the occurrence of SSI and the need for systemic antibiotics after the operative procedure. Immunocompromised patients were compared with immunocompetent patients. The investigation was conducted as a retrospective analysis of patient records. RESULTS The authors performed 284 dermatologic surgeries in 177 patients. Nineteen percent (54/284) of the skin surgery was performed on immunocompromised patients. The most common indications for surgical treatment were nonmelanoma skin cancer and malignant melanomas. Surgical site infections occurred in 6.7\% (19/284) of the cases. In 95\% (18/19), systemic antibiotic treatment was needed. Twenty-one percent of all SSI (4/19) were seen in immunosuppressed patients. CONCLUSION According to the authors' data, immunosuppression does not represent a significant risk factor for SSI after dermatologic surgery. However, larger prospective studies are needed to make specific recommendations on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis while performing skin surgery in these patients. The available data on complications after dermatologic surgery have improved over the past years. Particularly, additional risk factors have been identified for surgical site infections (SSI). Purulent surgical sites, older age, involvement of head, neck, and acral regions, and also the involvement of less experienced surgeons have been reported to increase the risk of the SSI after dermatologic surgeries.1 In general, the incidence of SSI after skin surgery is considered to be low.1,2 However, antibiotics in dermatologic surgeries, especially in the perioperative setting, seem to be overused,3,4 particularly regarding developing antibiotic resistances and side effects. Immunosuppression has been recommended to be taken into consideration as an additional indication for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent SSI after skin surgery in special cases.5,6 However, these recommendations do not specify the exact dermatologic surgeries, and were not specifically developed for dermatologic surgery patients and treatments, but adopted from other surgical fields.6 According to the survey conducted on American College of Mohs Surgery members in 2012, 13\% to 29\% of the surgeons administered antibiotic prophylaxis to immunocompromised patients to prevent SSI while performing dermatologic surgery on noninfected skin,3 although this was not recommended by Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Advisory Statement. Indeed, the data on the risk of developing SSI after dermatologic surgery in immunosuppressed patients are limited. However, it is possible that due to the insufficient evidence on the risk of SSI occurrence in this patient group, dermatologic surgeons tend to overuse perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. To make specific recommendations on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients in the field of skin surgery, more information about the incidence of SSI after dermatologic surgery in these patients is needed. The aim of this study was to fill this data gap by investigating whether there is an increased risk of SSI after skin surgery in immunocompromised patients compared with immunocompetent patients.}, language = {en} } @article{BaringhausGaigall2018, author = {Baringhaus, Ludwig and Gaigall, Daniel}, title = {Efficiency comparison of the Wilcoxon tests in paired and independent survey samples}, series = {Metrika}, volume = {2018}, journal = {Metrika}, number = {81}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1435-926X}, doi = {10.1007/s00184-018-0661-4}, pages = {891 -- 930}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The efficiency concepts of Bahadur and Pitman are used to compare the Wilcoxon tests in paired and independent survey samples. A comparison through the length of corresponding confidence intervals is also done. Simple conditions characterizing the dominance of a procedure are derived. Statistical tests for checking these conditions are suggested and discussed.}, language = {de} } @article{BaringhausGaigallThiele2018, author = {Baringhaus, Ludwig and Gaigall, Daniel and Thiele, Jan Philipp}, title = {Statistical inference for L²-distances to uniformity}, series = {Computational Statistics}, volume = {2018}, journal = {Computational Statistics}, number = {33}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1613-9658}, doi = {10.1007/s00180-018-0820-0}, pages = {1863 -- 1896}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The paper deals with the asymptotic behaviour of estimators, statistical tests and confidence intervals for L²-distances to uniformity based on the empirical distribution function, the integrated empirical distribution function and the integrated empirical survival function. Approximations of power functions, confidence intervals for the L²-distances and statistical neighbourhood-of-uniformity validation tests are obtained as main applications. The finite sample behaviour of the procedures is illustrated by a simulation study.}, language = {en} }