TY - JOUR A1 - Hunker, Jan L. A1 - Gossmann, Matthias A1 - Raman, Aravind Hariharan A1 - Linder, Peter T1 - Artificial neural networks in cardiac safety assessment: Classification of chemotherapeutic compound effects on hiPSC-derived cardiomyocyte contractility JF - Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vascn.2021.107044 SN - 1056-8719 VL - 111 IS - Article number 107044 PB - Elsevier CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grieger, Niklas A1 - Schwabedal, Justus T. C. A1 - Wendel, Stefanie A1 - Ritze, Yvonne A1 - Bialonski, Stephan T1 - Automated scoring of pre-REM sleep in mice with deep learning JF - Scientific Reports N2 - Reliable automation of the labor-intensive manual task of scoring animal sleep can facilitate the analysis of long-term sleep studies. In recent years, deep-learning-based systems, which learn optimal features from the data, increased scoring accuracies for the classical sleep stages of Wake, REM, and Non-REM. Meanwhile, it has been recognized that the statistics of transitional stages such as pre-REM, found between Non-REM and REM, may hold additional insight into the physiology of sleep and are now under vivid investigation. We propose a classification system based on a simple neural network architecture that scores the classical stages as well as pre-REM sleep in mice. When restricted to the classical stages, the optimized network showed state-of-the-art classification performance with an out-of-sample F1 score of 0.95 in male C57BL/6J mice. When unrestricted, the network showed lower F1 scores on pre-REM (0.5) compared to the classical stages. The result is comparable to previous attempts to score transitional stages in other species such as transition sleep in rats or N1 sleep in humans. Nevertheless, we observed that the sequence of predictions including pre-REM typically transitioned from Non-REM to REM reflecting sleep dynamics observed by human scorers. Our findings provide further evidence for the difficulty of scoring transitional sleep stages, likely because such stages of sleep are under-represented in typical data sets or show large inter-scorer variability. We further provide our source code and an online platform to run predictions with our trained network. Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91286-0 SN - 2045-2322 N1 - Corresponding author: Stephan Bialonski VL - 11 IS - Art. 12245 PB - Springer Nature CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Oliveira, Danilo A. A1 - Molinnus, Denise A1 - Beging, Stefan A1 - Siqueira Jr, José R. A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Biosensor Based on Self-Assembled Films of Graphene Oxide and Polyaniline Using a Field-Effect Device Platform JF - physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science N2 - A new functionalization method to modify capacitive electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) structures with nanofilms is presented. Layers of polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and graphene oxide (GO) with the compound polyaniline:poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PANI:PAAMPSA) are deposited onto a p-Si/SiO2 chip using the layer-by-layer technique (LbL). Two different enzymes (urease and penicillinase) are separately immobilized on top of a five-bilayer stack of the PAH:GO/PANI:PAAMPSA-modified EIS chip, forming a biosensor for detection of urea and penicillin, respectively. Electrochemical characterization is performed by constant capacitance (ConCap) measurements, and the film morphology is characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An increase in the average sensitivity of the modified biosensors (EIS–nanofilm–enzyme) of around 15% is found in relation to sensors, only carrying the enzyme but without the nanofilm (EIS–enzyme). In this sense, the nanofilm acts as a stable bioreceptor onto the EIS chip improving the output signal in terms of sensitivity and stability. KW - capacitive electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor sensors KW - graphene oxide KW - layer-by-layer technique KW - nanomaterials KW - polyaniline Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssa.202000747 SN - 1862-6319 N1 - Corresponding author: José R. Siqueira Jr & Michael J. Schöning VL - 218 IS - 13 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heel, Mareike van A1 - Dikta, Gerhard A1 - Braekers, Roel T1 - Bootstrap based goodness‑of‑fit tests for binary multivariate regression models JF - Journal of the Korean Statistical Society N2 - We consider a binary multivariate regression model where the conditional expectation of a binary variable given a higher-dimensional input variable belongs to a parametric family. Based on this, we introduce a model-based bootstrap (MBB) for higher-dimensional input variables. This test can be used to check whether a sequence of independent and identically distributed observations belongs to such a parametric family. The approach is based on the empirical residual process introduced by Stute (Ann Statist 25:613–641, 1997). In contrast to Stute and Zhu’s approach (2002) Stute & Zhu (Scandinavian J Statist 29:535–545, 2002), a transformation is not required. Thus, any problems associated with non-parametric regression estimation are avoided. As a result, the MBB method is much easier for users to implement. To illustrate the power of the MBB based tests, a small simulation study is performed. Compared to the approach of Stute & Zhu (Scandinavian J Statist 29:535–545, 2002), the simulations indicate a slightly improved power of the MBB based method. Finally, both methods are applied to a real data set. Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42952-021-00142-4 SN - 2005-2863 (Online) SN - 1226-3192 (Print) N1 - Corresponding author: Mareike van Heel VL - 51 PB - Springer Nature CY - Singapur ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jablonski, Melanie A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Severin, Robin A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Wege, Christian A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Capacitive Field-Effect Biosensor Studying Adsorption of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Particles JF - Micromachines N2 - Plant virus-like particles, and in particular, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles, are increasingly being used in nano- and biotechnology as well as for biochemical sensing purposes as nanoscaffolds for the high-density immobilization of receptor molecules. The sensitive parameters of TMV-assisted biosensors depend, among others, on the density of adsorbed TMV particles on the sensor surface, which is affected by both the adsorption conditions and surface properties of the sensor. In this work, Ta₂O₅-gate field-effect capacitive sensors have been applied for the label-free electrical detection of TMV adsorption. The impact of the TMV concentration on both the sensor signal and the density of TMV particles adsorbed onto the Ta₂O₅-gate surface has been studied systematically by means of field-effect and scanning electron microscopy methods. In addition, the surface density of TMV particles loaded under different incubation times has been investigated. Finally, the field-effect sensor also demonstrates the label-free detection of penicillinase immobilization as model bioreceptor on TMV particles. KW - capacitive field-effect sensor KW - plant virus detection KW - tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) KW - TMV adsorption KW - Ta₂O₅ gate Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/mi12010057 VL - 12 IS - 1 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jablonski, Melanie A1 - Münstermann, Felix A1 - Nork, Jasmina A1 - Molinnus, Denise A1 - Muschallik, Lukas A1 - Bongaerts, Johannes A1 - Wagner, Torsten A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Siegert, Petra A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Capacitive field‐effect biosensor applied for the detection of acetoin in alcoholic beverages and fermentation broths JF - physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science N2 - An acetoin biosensor based on a capacitive electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) structure modified with the enzyme acetoin reductase, also known as butane-2,3-diol dehydrogenase (Bacillus clausii DSM 8716ᵀ), is applied for acetoin detection in beer, red wine, and fermentation broth samples for the first time. The EIS sensor consists of an Al/p-Si/SiO₂/Ta₂O₅ layer structure with immobilized acetoin reductase on top of the Ta₂O₅ transducer layer by means of crosslinking via glutaraldehyde. The unmodified and enzyme-modified sensors are electrochemically characterized by means of leakage current, capacitance–voltage, and constant capacitance methods, respectively. KW - acetoin KW - acetoin reductase KW - alcoholic beverages KW - biosensors KW - capacitive field-effect sensors Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pssa.202000765 SN - 1862-6319 VL - 218 IS - 13 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Neumaier, Felix A1 - Weiss, Miriam A1 - Veldeman, Michael A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Wiesmann, Martin A1 - Schulze-Steinen, Henna A1 - Höllig, Anke A1 - Clusmann, Hans A1 - Schubert, Gerrit Alexander A1 - Albanna, Walid T1 - Changes in endogenous daytime melatonin levels after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage – preliminary findings from an observational cohort study JF - Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery N2 - Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is associated with early and delayed brain injury due to several underlying and interrelated processes, which include inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial, and neuronal apoptosis. Treatment with melatonin, a cytoprotective neurohormone with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, has been shown to attenuate early brain injury (EBI) and to prevent delayed cerebral vasospasm in experimental aSAH models. Less is known about the role of endogenous melatonin for aSAH outcome and how its production is altered by the pathophysiological cascades initiated during EBI. In the present observational study, we analyzed changes in melatonin levels during the first three weeks after aSAH. KW - constructive alignment KW - examination KW - long-term retention KW - multimodal KW - practical learning Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106870 SN - 0303-8467 VL - 208 IS - Article No.: 106870 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Engelmann, Ulrich M. A1 - Shalaby, Ahmed A1 - Shasha, Carolyn A1 - Krishnan, Kannan M. A1 - Krause, Hans-Joachim T1 - Comparative modeling of frequency mixing measurements of magnetic nanoparticles using micromagnetic simulations and Langevin theory JF - Nanomaterials N2 - Dual frequency magnetic excitation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) enables enhanced biosensing applications. This was studied from an experimental and theoretical perspective: nonlinear sum-frequency components of MNP exposed to dual-frequency magnetic excitation were measured as a function of static magnetic offset field. The Langevin model in thermodynamic equilibrium was fitted to the experimental data to derive parameters of the lognormal core size distribution. These parameters were subsequently used as inputs for micromagnetic Monte-Carlo (MC)-simulations. From the hysteresis loops obtained from MC-simulations, sum-frequency components were numerically demodulated and compared with both experiment and Langevin model predictions. From the latter, we derived that approximately 90% of the frequency mixing magnetic response signal is generated by the largest 10% of MNP. We therefore suggest that small particles do not contribute to the frequency mixing signal, which is supported by MC-simulation results. Both theoretical approaches describe the experimental signal shapes well, but with notable differences between experiment and micromagnetic simulations. These deviations could result from Brownian relaxations which are, albeit experimentally inhibited, included in MC-simulation, or (yet unconsidered) cluster-effects of MNP, or inaccurately derived input for MC-simulations, because the largest particles dominate the experimental signal but concurrently do not fulfill the precondition of thermodynamic equilibrium required by Langevin theory. KW - Magnetic nanoparticles KW - Frequency mixing magnetic detection KW - Langevin theory KW - Micromagnetic simulation KW - Nonequilibrium dynamics Y1 - 2021 SN - 2079-4991 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano11051257 N1 - This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Properties of Magnetic Nanoparticles VL - 11 IS - 5 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Richter, Charlotte A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Staeudle, Benjamin A1 - Attias, Julia A1 - Suess, Alexander A1 - Weber, Tobias A1 - Mileva, Katya N. A1 - Rittweger, Joern A1 - Green, David A. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Contractile behavior of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle during running in simulated hypogravity JF - npj Microgravity N2 - Vigorous exercise countermeasures in microgravity can largely attenuate muscular degeneration, albeit the extent of applied loading is key for the extent of muscle wasting. Running on the International Space Station is usually performed with maximum loads of 70% body weight (0.7 g). However, it has not been investigated how the reduced musculoskeletal loading affects muscle and series elastic element dynamics, and thereby force and power generation. Therefore, this study examined the effects of running on the vertical treadmill facility, a ground-based analog, at simulated 0.7 g on gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior. The results reveal that fascicle−series elastic element behavior differs between simulated hypogravity and 1 g running. Whilst shorter peak series elastic element lengths at simulated 0.7 g appear to be the result of lower muscular and gravitational forces acting on it, increased fascicle lengths and decreased velocities could not be anticipated, but may inform the development of optimized running training in hypogravity. However, whether the alterations in contractile behavior precipitate musculoskeletal degeneration warrants further study. Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41526-021-00155-7 SN - 2373-8065 N1 - Corresponding author: Charlotte Richter VL - 7 IS - Article number: 32 PB - Springer Nature CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jablonski, Melanie A1 - Poghossian, Arshak A1 - Keusgen, Michael A1 - Wege, Christina A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef T1 - Detection of plant virus particles with a capacitive field-effect sensor JF - Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry N2 - Plant viruses are major contributors to crop losses and induce high economic costs worldwide. For reliable, on-site and early detection of plant viral diseases, portable biosensors are of great interest. In this study, a field-effect SiO2-gate electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) sensor was utilized for the label-free electrostatic detection of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) particles as a model plant pathogen. The capacitive EIS sensor has been characterized regarding its TMV sensitivity by means of constant-capacitance method. The EIS sensor was able to detect biotinylated TMV particles from a solution with a TMV concentration as low as 0.025 nM. A good correlation between the registered EIS sensor signal and the density of adsorbed TMV particles assessed from scanning electron microscopy images of the SiO2-gate chip surface was observed. Additionally, the isoelectric point of the biotinylated TMV particles was determined via zeta potential measurements and the influence of ionic strength of the measurement solution on the TMV-modified EIS sensor signal has been studied. KW - Plant virus KW - Capacitive field-effect sensor KW - Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) KW - Label-free detection KW - Zeta potential Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03448-8 SN - 1618-2650 N1 - Corresponding authors: Arshak Poghossian & Michael J. Schöning VL - 413 SP - 5669 EP - 5678 PB - Springer Nature CY - Cham ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wert, Stefan A1 - Iken, Heiko A1 - Schöning, Michael Josef A1 - Matysik, Frank-Michael T1 - Development of a temperature‐pulse enhanced electrochemical glucose biosensor and characterization of its stability via scanning electrochemical microscopy JF - Electroanalysis N2 - Glucose oxidase (GOx) is an enzyme frequently used in glucose biosensors. As increased temperatures can enhance the performance of electrochemical sensors, we investigated the impact of temperature pulses on GOx that was drop-coated on flattened Pt microwires. The wires were heated by an alternating current. The sensitivity towards glucose and the temperature stability of GOx was investigated by amperometry. An up to 22-fold increase of sensitivity was observed. Spatially resolved enzyme activity changes were investigated via scanning electrochemical microscopy. The application of short (<100 ms) heat pulses was associated with less thermal inactivation of the immobilized GOx than long-term heating. Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/elan.202100089 SN - 1521-4109 IS - Early View PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tran, Ngoc Trinh A1 - Staat, Manfred T1 - Direct plastic structural design under random strength and random load by chance constrained programming JF - European Journal of Mechanics - A/Solids Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euromechsol.2020.104106 SN - 0997-7538 VL - 85 IS - Article 104106 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kuerten, David A1 - Kotliar, Konstantin A1 - Fuest, Matthias A1 - Walter, Peter A1 - Hollstein, Muriel A1 - Plange, Niklas ED - Neri, Piergiorgio T1 - Does hemispheric vascular regulation differ significantly in glaucoma patients with altitudinal visual field asymmetry? A single-center, prospective study JF - International Ophthalmology N2 - Purpose Vascular risk factors and ocular perfusion are heatedly discussed in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The retinal vessel analyzer (RVA, IMEDOS Systems, Germany) allows noninvasive measurement of retinal vessel regulation. Significant differences especially in the veins between healthy subjects and patients suffering from glaucoma were previously reported. In this pilot-study we investigated if localized vascular regulation is altered in glaucoma patients with altitudinal visual field defect asymmetry. Methods 15 eyes of 12 glaucoma patients with advanced altitudinal visual field defect asymmetry were included. The mean defect was calculated for each hemisphere separately (-20.99 ± 10.49 pro- found hemispheric visual field defect vs -7.36 ± 3.97 dB less profound hemisphere). After pupil dilation, RVA measurements of retinal arteries and veins were conducted using the standard protocol. The superior and inferior retinal vessel reactivity were measured consecutively in each eye. Results Significant differences were recorded in venous vessel constriction after flicker light stimulation and overall amplitude of the reaction (p \ 0.04 and p \ 0.02 respectively) in-between the hemispheres spheres. Vessel reaction was higher in the hemisphere corresponding to the more advanced visual field defect. Arterial diameters reacted similarly, failing to reach statistical significance. Conclusion Localized retinal vessel regulation is significantly altered in glaucoma patients with asymmetri altitudinal visual field defects. Veins supplying the hemisphere concordant to a less profound visual field defect show diminished diameter changes. Vascular dysregulation might be particularly important in early glaucoma stages prior to a significant visual field defect. KW - Glaucoma KW - Visual field asymmetry KW - Ocular blood flow KW - RVA KW - Vascular response Y1 - 2021 SN - 1573-2630 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10792-021-01876-0 VL - 41 IS - 41 SP - 3109 EP - 3119 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ball, Christopher Stephen A1 - Vögele, Stefan A1 - Grajewski, Matthias A1 - Kuckshinrichs, Wilhelm T1 - E-mobility from a multi-actor point of view: Uncertainties and their impacts JF - Technological Forecasting and Social Change Y1 - 2021 SN - 0040-1625 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120925 VL - 170 IS - Art. 120925 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Alexyuk, Madina A1 - Bogoyavlenskiy, Andrey A1 - Alexyuk, Pavel A1 - Moldakhanov, Yergali A1 - Berezin, Vladimir A1 - Digel, Ilya T1 - Epipelagic microbiome of the Small Aral Sea: Metagenomic structure and ecological diversity JF - MicrobiologyOpen N2 - Microbial diversity studies regarding the aquatic communities that experienced or are experiencing environmental problems are essential for the comprehension of the remediation dynamics. In this pilot study, we present data on the phylogenetic and ecological structure of microorganisms from epipelagic water samples collected in the Small Aral Sea (SAS). The raw data were generated by massive parallel sequencing using the shotgun approach. As expected, most of the identified DNA sequences belonged to Terrabacteria and Actinobacteria (40% and 37% of the total reads, respectively). The occurrence of Deinococcus-Thermus, Armatimonadetes, Chloroflexi in the epipelagic SAS waters was less anticipated. Surprising was also the detection of sequences, which are characteristic for strict anaerobes—Ignavibacteria, hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria, and archaeal methanogenic species. We suppose that the observed very broad range of phylogenetic and ecological features displayed by the SAS reads demonstrates a more intensive mixing of water masses originating from diverse ecological niches of the Aral-Syr Darya River basin than presumed before. KW - ecological structure KW - metagenomics KW - microbial diversity KW - shotgun sequencing KW - Small Aral Sea Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.1142 SN - 2045-8827 VL - 10 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Richter, Charlotte A1 - Braunstein, Björn A1 - Stäudle, Benjamin A1 - Attias, Julia A1 - Süss, Alexander A1 - Weber, Tobias A1 - Mileva, Katya N. A1 - Rittweger, Jörn A1 - Green, David A. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running differs between simulated Lunar and Martian gravities JF - Scientific reports N2 - The international partnership of space agencies has agreed to proceed forward to the Moon sustainably. Activities on the Lunar surface (0.16 g) will allow crewmembers to advance the exploration skills needed when expanding human presence to Mars (0.38 g). Whilst data from actual hypogravity activities are limited to the Apollo missions, simulation studies have indicated that ground reaction forces, mechanical work, muscle activation, and joint angles decrease with declining gravity level. However, these alterations in locomotion biomechanics do not necessarily scale to the gravity level, the reduction in gastrocnemius medialis activation even appears to level off around 0.2 g, while muscle activation pattern remains similar. Thus, it is difficult to predict whether gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running on Moon will basically be the same as on Mars. Therefore, this study investigated lower limb joint kinematics and gastrocnemius medialis behavior during running at 1 g, simulated Martian gravity, and simulated Lunar gravity on the vertical treadmill facility. The results indicate that hypogravity-induced alterations in joint kinematics and contractile behavior still persist between simulated running on the Moon and Mars. This contrasts with the concept of a ceiling effect and should be carefully considered when evaluating exercise prescriptions and the transferability of locomotion practiced in Lunar gravity to Martian gravity. KW - Bone quality and biomechanics KW - Environmental impact KW - Skeletal muscle KW - Tendons KW - Ultrasound Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00527-9 SN - 2045-2322 N1 - Corresponding author: Charlotte Richter VL - 11 IS - Article number: 22555 PB - Springer Nature CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Richter, Charlotte A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Stäudle, Benjamin A1 - Attias, Julia A1 - Suess, Alexander A1 - Weber, Tobias A1 - Mileva, Katja N. A1 - Rittweger, Joern A1 - Green, David A. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior is preserved during 30% body weight supported gait training JF - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living N2 - Rehabilitative body weight supported gait training aims at restoring walking function as a key element in activities of daily living. Studies demonstrated reductions in muscle and joint forces, while kinematic gait patterns appear to be preserved with up to 30% weight support. However, the influence of body weight support on muscle architecture, with respect to fascicle and series elastic element behavior is unknown, despite this having potential clinical implications for gait retraining. Eight males (31.9 ± 4.7 years) walked at 75% of the speed at which they typically transition to running, with 0% and 30% body weight support on a lower-body positive pressure treadmill. Gastrocnemius medialis fascicle lengths and pennation angles were measured via ultrasonography. Additionally, joint kinematics were analyzed to determine gastrocnemius medialis muscle–tendon unit lengths, consisting of the muscle's contractile and series elastic elements. Series elastic element length was assessed using a muscle–tendon unit model. Depending on whether data were normally distributed, a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to determine if body weight supported walking had any effects on joint kinematics and fascicle–series elastic element behavior. Walking with 30% body weight support had no statistically significant effect on joint kinematics and peak series elastic element length. Furthermore, at the time when peak series elastic element length was achieved, and on average across the entire stance phase, muscle–tendon unit length, fascicle length, pennation angle, and fascicle velocity were unchanged with respect to body weight support. In accordance with unchanged gait kinematics, preservation of fascicle–series elastic element behavior was observed during walking with 30% body weight support, which suggests transferability of gait patterns to subsequent unsupported walking. KW - AlterG KW - rehabilitation KW - gait KW - walking KW - ultrasound imaging KW - series elastic element behavior KW - muscle fascicle behavior KW - unloading Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.614559 SN - 2624-9367 VL - 2021 IS - 2 PB - Frontiers CY - Lausanne ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grundlach, Michael A1 - Baumann, Martin A1 - Engelmann, Ulrich M. ED - Dössel, Olaf T1 - How Multimodal Examinations Can Increase Sustainable Student Gain by Aligning Teaching and Assessment JF - Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering N2 - Modern industry and multi-discipline projects require highly trained individuals with resilient science and engineering back-grounds. Graduates must be able to agilely apply excellent theoretical knowledge in their subject matter as well as essential practical “hands-on” knowledge of diverse working processes to solve complex problems. To meet these demands, university education follows the concept of Constructive Alignment and thus increasingly adopts the teaching of necessary practical skills to the actual industry requirements and assessment routines. However, a systematic approach to coherently align these three central teaching demands is strangely absent from current university curricula. We demonstrate the feasibility of implementing practical assessments in a regular theory-based examination, thus defining the term “blended assessment”. We assessed a course for natural science and engineering students pursuing a career in biomedical engineering, and evaluated the benefit of blended assessment exams for students and lecturers. Our controlled study assessed the physiological background of electrocardiograms (ECGs), the practical measurement of ECG curves, and their interpretation of basic pathologic alterations. To study on long time effects, students have been assessed on the topic twice with a time lag of 6 months. Our findings suggest a significant improvement in student gain with respect to practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The results of the reassessments support these outcomes. From the lecturers ́ point of view, blended assessment complements practical training courses while keeping organizational effort manageable. We consider blended assessment a viable tool for providing an improved student gain, industry-ready education format that should be evaluated and established further to prepare university graduates optimally for their future careers. KW - constructive alignment KW - examination KW - long-term retention KW - multimodal KW - practical learning Y1 - 2021 SN - 2364-5504 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2021-2019 VL - 7 IS - 7/2 SP - 73 EP - 76 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Brockhaus, Moritz K. A1 - Behbahani, Mehdi A1 - Muris, Farina A1 - Jansen, Sebastian V. A1 - Schmitz- Rode, Thomas A1 - Steinseifer, Ulrich A1 - Clauser, Johanna C. T1 - In vitro thrombogenicity testing of pulsatile mechanical circulatory support systems: Design and proof-of-concept JF - Artificial Organs N2 - Thrombogenic complications are a main issue in mechanical circulatory support (MCS). There is no validated in vitro method available to quantitatively assess the thrombogenic performance of pulsatile MCS devices under realistic hemodynamic conditions. The aim of this study is to propose a method to evaluate the thrombogenic potential of new designs without the use of complex in-vivo trials. This study presents a novel in vitro method for reproducible thrombogenicity testing of pulsatile MCS systems using low molecular weight heparinized porcine blood. Blood parameters are continuously measured with full blood thromboelastometry (ROTEM; EXTEM, FIBTEM and a custom-made analysis HEPNATEM). Thrombus formation is optically observed after four hours of testing. The results of three experiments are presented each with two parallel loops. The area of thrombus formation inside the MCS device was reproducible. The implantation of a filter inside the loop catches embolizing thrombi without a measurable increase of platelet activation, allowing conclusions of the place of origin of thrombi inside the device. EXTEM and FIBTEM parameters such as clotting velocity (α) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) show a total decrease by around 6% with a characteristic kink after 180 minutes. HEPNATEM α and MCF rise within the first 180 minutes indicate a continuously increasing activation level of coagulation. After 180 minutes, the consumption of clotting factors prevails, resulting in a decrease of α and MCF. With the designed mock loop and the presented protocol we are able to identify thrombogenic hot spots inside a pulsatile pump and characterize their thrombogenic potential. Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aor.14046 SN - 1525-1594 VL - 45 IS - 12 SP - 1513 EP - 1521 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hackl, Michael A1 - Nacov, Julia A1 - Kammerlohr, Sandra A1 - Staat, Manfred A1 - Buess, Eduard A1 - Leschinger, Tim A1 - Müller, Lars P. A1 - Wegmann, Kilian T1 - Intratendinous Strain Variations of the Supraspinatus Tendon Depending on Repair Technique: A Biomechanical Analysis Regarding the Cause of Medial Cuff Failure JF - The American Journal of Sports Medicine Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/03635465211006138 SN - 1552-3365 SN - 0363-5465 VL - 49 IS - 7 SP - 1847 EP - 1853 PB - Sage CY - London ER -