@article{JungMuellerStaat2018, author = {Jung, Alexander and M{\"u}ller, Wolfram and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Wind and fairness in ski jumping: A computer modelling analysis}, series = {Journal of Biomechanics}, journal = {Journal of Biomechanics}, number = {75}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0021-9290}, doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.05.001}, pages = {147 -- 153}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Wind is closely associated with the discussion of fairness in ski jumping. To counter-act its influence on the jump length, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has introduced a wind compensation approach. We applied three differently accurate computer models of the flight phase with wind (M1, M2, and M3) to study the jump length effects of various wind scenarios. The previously used model M1 is accurate for wind blowing in direction of the flight path, but inaccuracies are to be expected for wind directions deviating from the tangent to the flight path. M2 considers the change of airflow direction, but it does not consider the associated change in the angle of attack of the skis which additionally modifies drag and lift area time functions. M3 predicts the length effect for all wind directions within the plane of the flight trajectory without any mathematical simplification. Prediction errors of M3 are determined only by the quality of the input data: wind velocity, drag and lift area functions, take-off velocity, and weight. For comparing the three models, drag and lift area functions of an optimized reference jump were used. Results obtained with M2, which is much easier to handle than M3, did not deviate noticeably when compared to predictions of the reference model M3. Therefore, we suggest to use M2 in future applications. A comparison of M2 predictions with the FIS wind compensation system showed substantial discrepancies, for instance: in the first flight phase, tailwind can increase jump length, and headwind can decrease it; this is opposite of what had been anticipated before and is not considered in the current wind compensation system in ski jumping.}, language = {en} } @article{ConzenAlbannaWeissetal.2018, author = {Conzen, Catharina and Albanna, Walid and Weiss, Miriam and K{\"u}rten, David and Vilser, Walthard and Kotliar, Konstantin and Z{\"a}ske, Charlotte and Clusmann, Hans and Schubert, Gerrit Alexander}, title = {Vasoconstriction and Impairment of Neurovascular Coupling after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: a Descriptive Analysis of Retinal Changes}, series = {Translational Stroke Research}, journal = {Translational Stroke Research}, number = {9}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Cham}, issn = {1868-601X}, doi = {10.1007/s12975-017-0585-8}, pages = {284 -- 293}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Impaired cerebral autoregulation and neurovascular coupling (NVC) contribute to delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Retinal vessel analysis (RVA) allows non-invasive assessment of vessel dimension and NVC hereby demonstrating a predictive value in the context of various neurovascular diseases. Using RVA as a translational approach, we aimed to assess the retinal vessels in patients with SAH. RVA was performed prospectively in 24 patients with acute SAH (group A: day 5-14), in 11 patients 3 months after ictus (group B: day 90 ± 35), and in 35 age-matched healthy controls (group C). Data was acquired using a Retinal Vessel Analyzer (Imedos Systems UG, Jena) for examination of retinal vessel dimension and NVC using flicker-light excitation. Diameter of retinal vessels—central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalent—was significantly reduced in the acute phase (p < 0.001) with gradual improvement in group B (p < 0.05). Arterial NVC of group A was significantly impaired with diminished dilatation (p < 0.001) and reduced area under the curve (p < 0.01) when compared to group C. Group B showed persistent prolonged latency of arterial dilation (p < 0.05). Venous NVC was significantly delayed after SAH compared to group C (A p < 0.001; B p < 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study to document retinal vasoconstriction and impairment of NVC in patients with SAH. Using non-invasive RVA as a translational approach, characteristic patterns of compromise were detected for the arterial and venous compartment of the neurovascular unit in a time-dependent fashion. Recruitment will continue to facilitate a correlation analysis with clinical course and outcome.}, language = {en} } @incollection{FrotscherStaat2018, author = {Frotscher, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Towards Patient-Specific Computational Modeling of hiPS-Derived Cardiomyocyte Function and Drug Action}, series = {Biological, Physical and Technical Basics of Cell Engineering}, booktitle = {Biological, Physical and Technical Basics of Cell Engineering}, editor = {Artmann, Gerhard and Temiz Artmann, Ayseg{\"u}l and Zhubanova, Azhar A. and Digel, Ilya}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Singapore}, isbn = {978-981-10-7904-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-981-10-7904-7_10}, pages = {233 -- 250}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CM) today are widely used for the investigation of normal electromechanical cardiac function, of cardiac medication and of mutations. Computational models are thus established that simulate the behavior of this kind of cells. This section first motivates the modeling of hiPS-CM and then presents and discusses several modeling approaches of microscopic and macroscopic constituents of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived and mature human cardiac tissue. The focus is led on the mapping of the computational results one can achieve with these models onto mature human cardiomyocyte models, the latter being the real matter of interest. Model adaptivity is the key feature that is discussed because it opens the way for modeling various biological effects like biological variability, medication, mutation and phenotypical expression. We compare the computational with experimental results with respect to normal cardiac function and with respect to inotropic and chronotropic drug effects. The section closes with a discussion on the status quo of the specificity of computational models and on what challenges have to be solved to reach patient-specificity.}, language = {en} } @article{RoehlenPilasDahmenetal.2018, author = {R{\"o}hlen, Desiree and Pilas, Johanna and Dahmen, Markus and Keusgen, Michael and Selmer, Thorsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Toward a Hybrid Biosensor System for Analysis of Organic and Volatile Fatty Acids in Fermentation Processes}, series = {Frontiers in Chemistry}, journal = {Frontiers in Chemistry}, number = {6}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne}, doi = {10.3389/fchem.2018.00284}, pages = {Artikel 284}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Monitoring of organic acids (OA) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) is crucial for the control of anaerobic digestion. In case of unstable process conditions, an accumulation of these intermediates occurs. In the present work, two different enzyme-based biosensor arrays are combined and presented for facile electrochemical determination of several process-relevant analytes. Each biosensor utilizes a platinum sensor chip (14 × 14 mm²) with five individual working electrodes. The OA biosensor enables simultaneous measurement of ethanol, formate, d- and l-lactate, based on a bi-enzymatic detection principle. The second VFA biosensor provides an amperometric platform for quantification of acetate and propionate, mediated by oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. The cross-sensitivity of both biosensors toward potential interferents, typically present in fermentation samples, was investigated. The potential for practical application in complex media was successfully demonstrated in spiked sludge samples collected from three different biogas plants. Thereby, the results obtained by both of the biosensors were in good agreement to the applied reference measurements by photometry and gas chromatography, respectively. The proposed hybrid biosensor system was also used for long-term monitoring of a lab-scale biogas reactor (0.01 m³) for a period of 2 months. In combination with typically monitored parameters, such as gas quality, pH and FOS/TAC (volatile organic acids/total anorganic carbonate), the amperometric measurements of OA and VFA concentration could enhance the understanding of ongoing fermentation processes.}, language = {en} } @incollection{KochPoghossianWegeetal.2018, author = {Koch, Claudia and Poghossian, Arshak and Wege, Christina and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {TMV-Based Adapter Templates for Enhanced Enzyme Loading in Biosensor Applications}, series = {Virus-Derived Nanoparticles for Advanced Technologies}, booktitle = {Virus-Derived Nanoparticles for Advanced Technologies}, editor = {Wege, Christina}, publisher = {Humana Press}, address = {New York, NY}, isbn = {978-1-4939-7808-3}, doi = {10.1007/978-1-4939-7808-3}, pages = {553 -- 568}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Nanotubular tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles and RNA-free lower-order coat protein (CP) aggregates have been employed as enzyme carriers in different diagnostic layouts and compared for their influence on biosensor performance. In the following, we describe a label-free electrochemical biosensor for improved glucose detection by use of TMV adapters and the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOD). A specific and efficient immobilization of streptavidin-conjugated GOD ([SA]-GOD) complexes on biotinylated TMV nanotubes or CP aggregates was achieved via bioaffinity binding. Glucose sensors with adsorptively immobilized [SA]-GOD, and with [SA]-GOD cross-linked with glutardialdehyde, respectively, were tested in parallel on the same sensor chip. Comparison of these sensors revealed that TMV adapters enhanced the amperometric glucose detection remarkably, conveying highest sensitivity, an extended linear detection range and fastest response times. These results underline a great potential of an integration of virus/biomolecule hybrids with electronic transducers for applications in biosensorics and biochips. Here, we describe the fabrication and use of amperometric sensor chips combining an array of circular Pt electrodes, their loading with GOD-modified TMV nanotubes (and other GOD immobilization methods), and the subsequent investigations of the sensor performance.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KromeSander2018, author = {Krome, Cornelia and Sander, Volker}, title = {Time series analysis with apache spark and its applications to energy informatics}, series = {Proceedings of the 7th DACH+ Conference on Energy Informatics}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 7th DACH+ Conference on Energy Informatics}, doi = {10.1186/s42162-018-0043-1}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In energy economy forecasts of different time series are rudimentary. In this study, a prediction for the German day-ahead spot market is created with Apache Spark and R. It is just an example for many different applications in virtual power plant environments. Other examples of use as intraday price processes, load processes of machines or electric vehicles, real time energy loads of photovoltaic systems and many more time series need to be analysed and predicted. This work gives a short introduction into the project where this study is settled. It describes the time series methods that are used in energy industry for forecasts shortly. As programming technique Apache Spark, which is a strong cluster computing technology, is utilised. Today, single time series can be predicted. The focus of this work is on developing a method to parallel forecasting, to process multiple time series simultaneously with R and Apache Spark.}, language = {en} } @article{JildehOberlaenderKirchneretal.2018, author = {Jildeh, Zaid B. and Oberl{\"a}nder, Jan and Kirchner, Patrick and Wagner, Patrick H. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Thermocatalytic Behavior of Manganese (IV) Oxide as Nanoporous Material on the Dissociation of a Gas Mixture Containing Hydrogen Peroxide}, series = {Nanomaterials}, volume = {8}, journal = {Nanomaterials}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2079-4991}, doi = {10.3390/nano8040262}, pages = {Artikel 262}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this article, we present an overview on the thermocatalytic reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) gas on a manganese (IV) oxide (MnO₂) catalytic structure. The principle of operation and manufacturing techniques are introduced for a calorimetric H₂O₂ gas sensor based on porous MnO₂. Results from surface analyses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the catalytic material provide indication of the H₂O₂ dissociation reaction schemes. The correlation between theory and the experiments is documented in numerical models of the catalytic reaction. The aim of the numerical models is to provide further information on the reaction kinetics and performance enhancement of the porous MnO₂ catalyst.}, language = {en} } @article{DigelWehlitzKayseretal.2018, author = {Digel, Ilya and Wehlitz, V. and Kayser, Peter and Figiel-Lange, A. and Bassam, R. and Rundstedt, F. von}, title = {Suspension depletion approach for exemption of infected Solanum jasminoides cells from pospiviroids}, series = {Plant Pathology}, volume = {67}, journal = {Plant Pathology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1365-3059}, doi = {10.1111/ppa.12750}, pages = {358 -- 365}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Despite numerous studies, viroid elimination from infected plants remains a very challenging task. This study introduces for the first time a novel 'suspension depletion' approach for exemption of Solanum jasminoides plants from viroids. The proposed method implies initial establishment of suspension cultures of the infected plant cells. The suspended cells were then physically treated (mild thermotherapy, 33 °C), which presumably delayed the replication of the viroid. The viroid concentration in the treated biomass was monitored weekly using pospiviroid-specific PCR. After 10-12 weeks of continuous treatment, a sufficient decrease in viroid concentration was observed such that the infection became undetectable by PCR. The treated single cells then gave rise to microcolonies on a solid culture medium and the obtained viroid-negative clones were further promoted to regenerate into viroid-free plants. Three years of accumulated experimental data suggests feasibility, broad applicability, and good efficacy of the proposed approach.}, language = {en} } @article{BhattaraiJabbariAndingetal.2018, author = {Bhattarai, Aroj and Jabbari, Medisa and Anding, Ralf and Staat, Manfred}, title = {Surgical treatment of vaginal vault prolapse using different prosthetic mesh implants: a finite element analysis}, series = {tm - Technisches Messen}, volume = {85}, journal = {tm - Technisches Messen}, number = {5}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2196-7113}, doi = {10.1515/teme-2017-0115}, pages = {331 -- 342}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Particularly multiparous elderly women may suffer from vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy due to weak support from lax apical ligaments. A decreased amount of estrogen and progesterone in older age is assumed to remodel the collagen thereby reducing tissue stiffness. Sacrocolpopexy is either performed as open or laparoscopic surgery using prosthetic mesh implants to substitute lax ligaments. Y-shaped mesh models (DynaMesh, Gynemesh, and Ultrapro) are implanted in a 3D female pelvic floor finite element model in the extraperitoneal space from the vaginal cuff to the first sacral (S1) bone below promontory. Numerical simulations are conducted during Valsalva maneuver with weakened tissues modeled by reduced tissue stiffness. Tissues are modeled as incompressible, isotropic hyperelastic materials whereas the meshes are modeled either as orthotropic linear elastic or as isotropic hyperlastic materials. The positions of the vaginal cuff and the bladder base are calculated from the pubococcygeal line for female pelvic floor at rest, for prolapse and after repair using the three meshes. Due to mesh mechanics and mesh pore deformation along the loaded direction, the DynaMesh with regular rectangular mesh pores is found to provide better mechanical support to the organs than the Gynemesh and the Ultrapro with irregular hexagonal mesh pores. Insbesondere {\"a}ltere, mehrgeb{\"a}hrende Frauen leiden h{\"a}ufiger an einem Scheidenvorfall nach einer Hysterektomie aufgrund der schwachen Unterst{\"u}tzung durch laxe apikale B{\"a}nder. Es wird angenommen, dass eine verringerte Menge an {\"O}strogen und Progesteron im h{\"o}heren Alter das Kollagen umformt, wodurch die Gewebesteifigkeit reduziert wird. Die Sakrokolpopexie ist eine offene oder laparoskopische Operation, die mit prothetischen Netzimplantaten durchgef{\"u}hrt wird, um laxe B{\"a}nder zu ersetzen. Y-f{\"o}rmige Netzmodelle (DynaMesh, Gynemesh und Ultrapro) werden in einem 3D-Modell des weiblichen Beckenbodens im extraperitonealen Raum vom Vaginalstumpf bis zum Promontorium implantiert. Numerische Simulationen werden w{\"a}hrend des Valsalva-Man{\"o}vers mit geschw{\"a}chtem Gewebe durchgef{\"u}hrt, das durch eine reduzierte Gewebesteifigkeit modelliert wird. Die Gewebe werden als inkompressible, isotrop hyperelastische Materialien modelliert, w{\"a}hrend die Netze entweder als orthotrope linear elastische oder als isotrope hyperlastische Materialien modelliert werden. Die Positionen des Vaginalstumpfs, der Blase und der Harnr{\"o}hrenachse werden anhand der Pubococcygeallinie aus der Ruhelage, f{\"u}r den Prolaps und nach der Reparatur unter Verwendung der drei Netze berechnet. Aufgrund der Netzmechanik und der Netzporenverformung bietet das DynaMesh mit regelm{\"a}ßigen rechteckigen Netzporen eine bessere mechanische Unterst{\"u}tzung und eine Neupositionierung des Scheidengew{\"o}lbes, der Blase und der Urethraachse als Gynemesh und Ultrapro mit unregelm{\"a}ßigen hexagonalen Netzporen.}, language = {en} } @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} }