@inproceedings{StelzerTauwaldVielsmeieretal., author = {Stelzer, Vera and Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Vielsmeier, Veronika and Cieplik, Fabian and Kandulski, Arne and Schneider-Brachert, Wulf and W{\"u}nsch, Olaf and R{\"u}tten, Markus and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Generation and Distribution of Surgical Smoke During High Frequency Electrocauterization}, series = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV. STAB/DGLR Symposium 2022}, booktitle = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV. STAB/DGLR Symposium 2022}, editor = {Dillman, Andreas and Heller, Gerd and Kraemer, Ewald and Wagner, Claus and Weiss, Julien}, publisher = {Springer Nature Switzerland AG}, address = {Cham, Switzerland}, isbn = {978-3-031-40481-8}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-40482-5_53}, pages = {559 -- 568}, abstract = {Surgical Smoke is generated during the cauterization of tissue with high-frequency (HF) devices and consists of 95\% water vapor and 5\% cellular debris. When the coagulation tweezers, which are supplied with HF voltage by the HF device, touch tissue, the electric circuit is closed, and smoke is generated by the heat. In-vivo investigations are performed during tracheotomies where surgical smoke is produced during coagulation of tissue. Furthermore, in-vitro parametric studies to investigate the particle number and size distribution and the spatial distribution of surgical smoke with laser light sheet technique are conducted. With higher power of the HF device, the particles generated are larger in size and the total number of particles generated is also higher. Adding artificial saliva to the tissue shows even higher particle counts. The study by laser light sheet also confirms this. The resulting characteristic size distribution, which may include viruses and bacterial components, confirms considering the risk arising from surgical smoke. Furthermore, the experiments will provide the database for further numerical investigations.}, language = {en} } @article{HornRaptisFischeretal., author = {Horn, Lars-Christian and Raptis, Georgios and Fischer, Uta and Hentschel, Bettina and K{\"o}hler, U. and Richter, Christine E. and Martin, Rosemarie}, title = {CD44-v6 concentrations in carcinoma of the uterine cervix: lack of prognostic significance}, series = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, volume = {273}, journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-005-0039-5}, pages = {104 -- 106}, abstract = {Several kinds of cellular adhesion molecules, like different splicing variants of CD 44, have gained important as prognostic or markers for metastatic disease. Fresh frozen samples from 64 cervical carcinoma (CX) were stored in liquid nitrogen and examined using ELISA-technique, testing the prognostic impact. Normal cervical tissue served as control. CD 44-v6 concentration, was significant elevated in tumor tissue, when compared to the controls (P=0.04). There was no correlation to tumor stage (P=0.61), lymphovascular space involvement (P=0.075) or pelvic lymph node involvement (P=0.81). The CD 44-v6 concentration was not informative regarding recurrence-free and overall survival. Contrary to immunohistochemistry, the quantification of CD 44-v6 using ELISA-technique does not provide any further information.}, subject = {Geb{\"a}rmutterhalskrebs}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SpychalskiRodeRitthaleretal., author = {Spychalski, Dominik and Rode, Olaf and Ritthaler, Markus and Raptis, Georgios}, title = {Conceptual Design and Analysis of a Mobile Digital Identity for eHealth Applications}, series = {2021 IEEE EMBS International Conference on Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI): 27-30 July 2021, Athens, Greece}, booktitle = {2021 IEEE EMBS International Conference on Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI): 27-30 July 2021, Athens, Greece}, publisher = {IEEE}, issn = {2641-3604}, doi = {10.1109/BHI50953.2021.9508554}, pages = {1 -- 4}, abstract = {As mobile technology continues to improve, more and more professional services are being offered as mobile apps. This paradigm shift also affects eHealth applications. Digital identities in nation-wide eHealth infrastructures are often realized via smart cards, which however, do not support mobile applications well. In this paper we propose a concept of a mobile eID for eHealth based on smartphones with embedded secure hardware, an mobile authenticator app and an account manager as well as an Identity Provider (IdP) as backend services. The practical applicability of the concept is shown using the example of the German eHealth infrastructure. Our method generates a cryptographic key pair in secure hardware on the user's smartphone, registers it on the IdP and uses it to authenticate on the IdP. The security of the private key and the integrity of the smartphone is also validated and attestated. The user's established smartcard-based identity "Electronic Health Card" (EHC) forms the trust anchor. To authenticate against specialist eHealth apps the IdP issues standard-compliant OAuth2.0/OIDC tokens with a limited period of validity. Furthermore, in our security analysis we demonstrate that based on specific security requirements for smartphones and operating systems, at least the eIDAS security level "substantial" related to the technical security aspects of the system can be achieved. On the basis of this research German legislation was adjusted and "digital identities" supplementary to the smartcard-based EHC will be issued from 2023 in the German eHealth infrastructure.}, language = {en} } @article{BelliKreppelPetscheltetal., author = {Belli, Renan and Kreppel, Stefan and Petschelt, Anselm and Hornberger, Helga and Boccaccini, Aldo R. and Lohbauer, Ulrich}, title = {Strengthening of dental adhesives via particle reinforcement}, series = {Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials}, volume = {37}, journal = {Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.05.007}, pages = {100 -- 108}, abstract = {The bond between methacrylic polymer adhesives and dental restoratives is not perfect and may fail either in the short or in the long term. This study aims to evaluate the effects of particle incorporation in a self-etch model adhesive on mechanical and physical properties that are relevant during application and service. Filled adhesives containing 5, 10, 15 or 25 wt\% glass fillers were compared to their unfilled counterpart in terms of water sorption and solubility; viscosity and dynamic viscosity during polymerization were recorded using rheological measurements and compared to FTIR analysis of the real-time degree of cure. Elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength measurements were performed in uniaxial tension; the energy to fracture was used to calculate the fracture toughness of the adhesives. Finally, the experimental adhesives were applied on dentin substrate to test the bond strength using the microtensile test. Results showed that the incorporation of 5-10 wt\% nanofiller to self-etching dental adhesives is efficient in accelerating the polymerization reaction and increasing the degree of cure without compromising the film viscosity for good wettability or water sorption and solubility. Fillers increased the elastic modulus, tensile strength and fracture toughness to a plateau between 5 and 15 wt\% filler concentration, and despite the tendency to form agglomerations, active crack pinning/deflection toughening mechanisms have been observed. The bond strength between resin composite and dentin was also improved when adhesives with up to 10 wt\% fillers were used, with no additional improvements with further packing. The use of fillers to reinforce dental adhesives may therefore be of great practical benefit by improving curing and mechanical properties.}, language = {en} } @article{KoeckStrieglKrausetal., author = {K{\"o}ck, Hannah and Striegl, Birgit and Kraus, Annalena and Zborilova, Magdalena and Christiansen, Silke H. and Sch{\"a}fer, Nicole and Gr{\"a}ssel, Susanne and Hornberger, Helga}, title = {In Vitro Analysis of Human Cartilage Infiltrated by Hydrogels and Hydrogel-Encapsulated Chondrocytes}, series = {Bioengineering}, volume = {10}, journal = {Bioengineering}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/bioengineering10070767}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-61235}, pages = {1 -- 21}, abstract = {Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease causing loss of articular cartilage and structural damage in all joint tissues. Given the limited regenerative capacity of articular cartilage, methods to support the native structural properties of articular cartilage are highly anticipated. The aim of this study was to infiltrate zwitterionic monomer solutions into human OA-cartilage explants to replace lost proteoglycans. The study included polymerization and deposition of methacryloyloxyethyl-phosphorylcholine- and a novel sulfobetaine-methacrylate-based monomer solution within ex vivo human OA-cartilage explants and the encapsulation of isolated chondrocytes within hydrogels and the corresponding effects on chondrocyte viability. The results demonstrated that zwitterionic cartilage-hydrogel networks are formed by infiltration. In general, cytotoxic effects of the monomer solutions were observed, as was a time-dependent infiltration behavior into the tissue accompanied by increasing cell death and penetration depth. The successful deposition of zwitterionic hydrogels within OA cartilage identifies the infiltration method as a potential future therapeutic option for the repair/replacement of OA-cartilage extracellular suprastructure. Due to the toxic effects of the monomer solutions, the focus should be on sealing the OA-cartilage surface, instead of complete infiltration. An alternative treatment option for focal cartilage defects could be the usage of monomer solutions, especially the novel generated sulfobetaine-methacrylate-based monomer solution, as bionic for cell-based 3D bioprintable hydrogels.}, language = {en} } @article{HornbergerStrieglTrahanofskyetal., author = {Hornberger, Helga and Striegl, Birgit and Trahanofsky, M. and Kneissl, F. and Kronseder, Matthias}, title = {Degradation and bioactivity studies of Mg membranes for dental surgery}, series = {Materials Letter X}, volume = {2}, journal = {Materials Letter X}, number = {June}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.mlblux.2019.100007}, pages = {1 -- 5}, abstract = {Bioresorbable materials are under investigation due to their promising properties for applications as implant material. This study is about the degradation and bioactivity behaviour of magnesium foils, which allegorize dental membranes. The degradation behaviour including pitting corrosion during immersion tests can be precisely observed using micro-computed tomography. Using the bioactivity test according to Kokubo, it is shown that magnesium has strong Ca-phosphate layer formation correlated with high degradation. Therefore, magnesium foils appear to hold a great potential for bone implant application.}, language = {en} } @article{StelzerKrenkel, author = {Stelzer, Vera and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {2D numerical investigations derived from a 3D dragonfly wing captured with a high-resolution micro-CT}, series = {Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine}, volume = {30}, journal = {Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOS Press}, doi = {10.3233/THC-219010}, pages = {283 -- 289}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Due to their corrugated profile, dragonfly wings have special aerodynamic characteristics during flying and gliding. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to create a realistic 3D model of a dragonfly wing captured with a high-resolution micro-CT. To represent geometry changes in span and chord length and their aerodynamic effects, numerical investigations are carried out at different wing positions. METHODS: The forewing of a Camacinia gigantea was captured using a micro-CT. After the wing was adapted an error-free 3D model resulted. The wing was cut every 5 mm and 2D numerical analyses were conducted in Fluent® 2020 R2 (ANSYS, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). RESULTS: The highest lift coefficient, as well as the highest lift-to-drag ratio, resulted at 0 mm and an angle of attack (AOA) of 5∘. At AOAs of 10∘ or 15∘, the flow around the wing stalled and a K{\´a}rm{\´a}n vortex street behind the wing becomes CONCLUSIONS: The velocity is higher on the upper side of the wing compared to the lower side. The pressure acts vice versa. Due to the recirculation zones that are formed in valleys of the corrugation pattern the wing resembles the form of an airfoil.}, language = {en} } @article{SchecklmannSchmausserKlingeretal., author = {Schecklmann, Martin and Schmausser, Maximilian and Klinger, Felix and Kreuzer, Peter M. and Krenkel, Lars and Langguth, Berthold}, title = {Resting motor threshold and magnetic field output of the figure-of-8 and the double-cone coil}, series = {scientific reports}, volume = {10}, journal = {scientific reports}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-020-58034-2}, abstract = {The use of the double-cone (DC) coil in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is promoted with the notion that the DC coil enables stimulation of deeper brain areas in contrast to conventional figure-of-8 (Fo8) coils. However, systematic comparisons of these two coil types with respect to the spatial distribution of the magnetic field output and also to the induced activity in superficial and deeper brain areas are limited. Resting motor thresholds of the left and right first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and tibialis anterior (TA) were determined with the DC and the Fo8 coil in 17 healthy subjects. Coils were orientated over the corresponding motor area in an angle of 45 degrees for the hand area with the handle pointing in posterior direction and in medio-lateral direction for the leg area. Physical measurements were done with an automatic gantry table using a Gaussmeter. Resting motor threshold was higher for the leg area in contrast to the hand area and for the Fo8 in contrast to the DC coil. Muscle by coil interaction was also significant providing higher differences between leg and hand area for the Fo8 (about 27\%) in contrast to the DC coil (about 15\%). Magnetic field strength was higher for the DC coil in contrast to the Fo8 coil. The DC coil produces a higher magnetic field with higher depth of penetration than the figure of eight coil.}, language = {en} } @misc{WolterRaptisMiddeletal., author = {Wolter, Jennifer and Raptis, Georgios and Middel, Luise and Ritthaler, Markus and Loss, J. and Ludwig, Bernd}, title = {Requirements for Apps Providing Teleconsultation Services Between Nursing Homes, Home-Based Nursing Care, and Doctors}, series = {2021 IEEE EMBS International Conference on Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI), 27-30 July 2021, virtual conference}, journal = {2021 IEEE EMBS International Conference on Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI), 27-30 July 2021, virtual conference}, publisher = {IEEE}, language = {en} } @article{HornRaptisFischer, author = {Horn, Lars-Christian and Raptis, Georgios and Fischer, Uta}, title = {Familial cancer history in patients with carcinoma of the cervix uteri}, series = {European Journal of Obstetrics \& Gynecology and Reproductive Biology}, volume = {101}, journal = {European Journal of Obstetrics \& Gynecology and Reproductive Biology}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1016/s0301-2115(01)00520-6}, pages = {54 -- 57}, subject = {Geb{\"a}rmutterhalskrebs}, language = {en} } @misc{BirkenmaierKrenkel, author = {Birkenmaier, Clemens and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Towards a realistic model of blood viscosity and coagulation in membrane oxygenators}, series = {6th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (Solids, Structures and Coupled Problems) - ECCM 6; 7th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics - ECFD 7 : Glasgow, Scotland, UK, June 11-15, 2018}, journal = {6th European Conference on Computational Mechanics (Solids, Structures and Coupled Problems) - ECCM 6; 7th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics - ECFD 7 : Glasgow, Scotland, UK, June 11-15, 2018}, abstract = {Modelling blood flow an shear induced coagulation in membraene oxygenators (MO) is challenging. The relevant geometry of oxygenator fibers (OF) and chaining threads is complex and spans several length scales. In relevant scales and regimes blood shows several significant non-Newtonian effects. Existing models are only capable of accounting for some, but not all relevant effects. Additionally, coagulation processes are influencing fluid properties and geometry significantly. Due to the enormous size of the discretised geometries highly detailed viscosity and coagulation properties of blodd flow in MOs. First step is to find a gemoetry dependent viscosity representation on basis of parametric micro channel experiments with anti-coagulated blood. Next step is a statistic coagulation model, based on micro channel experiments with human (re-calcified citrated) whole blood an evaluation of clinically used osygenators. Since shear rate dependent (i.e. viscosity dependet) coagulation in return influences the viscosity, a combined model with suitable implementation in a RANS framework is necessary. Towards this end, micro channel experiments with new and used single OFs triggering coagulation are performed. Structures of multimeric von Willebrand fibers (vWF), as indicator for shear induced coagulation, are compared to computed and measured flow conditions, using immunofluorescence microscopy, RANS-computations and µPIV, respectively. Preliminary examinations in clinically used MOs show good agreement between occurring structures of vWF, cell depositions and computed flow patterns (geometry form µCT-Scans). However, computed shear rates might be to low to actually trigger activation of vWF. The complex geometry of MOs results in huge meshes, which makes RANS with statistical modelling of viscosity and coagulation a reasonable approach. Towards this end, experimental data on micro channel level with evaluation on real application level is crucial. Especially regarding clotting processes, micro fluidic experiments are powerful research tool.}, language = {en} } @article{TauwaldMichelBrandtetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Michel, Johanna and Brandt, Marie and Vielsmeier, Veronika and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Experimental studies and mathematical modeling of the viscoelastic rheology of tracheobronchial mucus from respiratory healthy patients}, series = {Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine}, volume = {18}, journal = {Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine}, number = {1}, publisher = {PAGEPress}, address = {Pavia, Italy}, issn = {2049-6958}, doi = {10.4081/mrm.2023.923}, pages = {12}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial mucus plays a crucial role in pulmonary function by providing protection against inhaled pathogens. Due to its composition of water, mucins, and other biomolecules, it has a complex viscoelastic rheological behavior. This interplay of both viscous and elastic properties has not been fully described yet. In this study, we characterize the rheology of human mucus using oscillatory and transient tests. Based on the transient tests, we describe the material behavior of mucus under stress and strain loading by mathematical models. METHODS: Mucus samples were collected from clinically used endotracheal tubes. For rheological characterization, oscillatory amplitude-sweep and frequency-sweep tests, and transient creep-recovery and stress-relaxation tests were performed. The results of the transient test were approximated using the Burgers model, the Weibull distribution, and the six-element Maxwell model. The three-dimensional microstructure of the tracheobronchial mucus was visualized using scanning electron microscope imaging. RESULTS: Amplitude-sweep tests showed storage moduli ranging from 0.1 Pa to 10000 Pa and a median critical strain of 4 \%. In frequency-sweep tests, storage and loss moduli increased with frequency, with the median of the storage modulus ranging from 10 Pa to 30 Pa, and the median of the loss modulus from 5 Pa to 14 Pa. The Burgers model approximates the viscoelastic behavior of tracheobronchial mucus during a constant load of stress appropriately (R2 of 0.99), and the Weibull distribution is suitable to predict the recovery of the sample after the removal of this stress (R2 of 0.99). The approximation of the stress-relaxation test data by a six-element Maxwell model shows a larger fit error (R2 of 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a detailed description of all process steps of characterizing the rheology of tracheobronchial mucus, including sample collection, microstructure visualization, and rheological investigation. Based on this characterization, we provide mathematical models of the rheological behavior of tracheobronchial mucus. These can now be used to simulate mucus flow in the respiratory system through numerical approaches.}, language = {en} } @article{BirkenmaierDorniaLehleetal., author = {Birkenmaier, Clemens and Dornia, Christian and Lehle, Karla and M{\"u}ller, Thomas and Gruber, Michael and Philipp, Alois and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Analysis of Thrombotic Deposits in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenators by High-resolution Microcomputed Tomography: A Feasibility Study}, series = {ASAIO Journal / American Society for Artificial Internal Organs}, volume = {66}, journal = {ASAIO Journal / American Society for Artificial Internal Organs}, number = {8}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, issn = {1538-943X}, doi = {10.1097/MAT.0000000000001089}, pages = {922 -- 928}, abstract = {Coagulative disorders, especially clotting during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, are frequent complications. Direct visualization and analysis of deposits in membrane oxygenators using computed tomography (CT) may provide an insight into the underlying mechanisms causing thrombotic events. However, the already established multidetector CT1 (MDCT) method shows major limitations. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying industrial micro-CT (μCT) to circumvent these restrictions. Three clinically used membrane oxygenators were investigated applying both MDCT and μCT. The scans were analyzed in terms of clot volume and local clot distribution. As validation, the clot volume was also determined from the fluid volume, which could be filled into the respective used oxygenator compared to a new device. In addition, cross-sectional CT images were compared with crosscut oxygenators. Based on the μCT findings, a morphological measure (sphericity) for assessing clot structures in membrane oxygenators is introduced. Furthermore, by comparing MDCT and μCT results, an augmentation of the MDCT method is proposed, which allows for improved clot volume determination in a clinical setting.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BirkenmaierKrenkel, author = {Birkenmaier, Clemens and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Convolutional Neural Networks for Approximation of Blood Flow in Artificial Lungs}, series = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIII: Contributions to the 22nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, booktitle = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIII: Contributions to the 22nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, number = {1. Auflage}, editor = {Dillmann, Andreas and Heller, Gerd and Kr{\"a}mer, Ewald and Wagner, Claus}, publisher = {Springer International Publishing}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-79560-3}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-79561-0_43}, pages = {451 -- 460}, abstract = {Blood flow in channels of varying diameters <500μm exhibits strong non-linear effects. Multiphase finite volume approaches are feasible, but still computationally costly. Here, the feasibility of applying convolutional neural networks for blood flow prediction in artificial lungs is investigated. Training targets are precomputed using an Eulerian two-phase approach. To match with experimental data, the interphase drag and lift, as well as intraphase shear-thinning are adapted. A recursively branching regression network and convolution/deconvolution networks with plain skip connections and densely connected skips are investigated. A priori knowledge is incorporated in the loss functional to prevent the network from learning non-physical solutions. Inference from neural networks is approximately six orders of magnitude faster than the classical finite volume approach. Even if resulting in comparably coarse flow fields, the neural network predictions can be used as close to convergence initial solutions greatly accelerating classical flow computations.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TauwaldQuadrioRuettenetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Quadrio, Maurizio and R{\"u}tten, Markus and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {High Spatial Resolution Tomo-PIV of the Trachea Focussing on the Physiological Breathing Cycle}, series = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV - Contributions to the 23nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, booktitle = {New Results in Numerical and Experimental Fluid Mechanics XIV - Contributions to the 23nd STAB/DGLR Symposium}, publisher = {Springer}, abstract = {Investigations of complex patient-specific flow in the nasopharynx requires high resolution numerical calculations validated by reliable experiments. When building the validation base and the benchmark of computational fluid dynamics, an experimental setup of the nasal airways was developed. The applied optical measurement technique of tomo-PIV supplies information on the governing flow field in three dimensions. This paper presents tomo-PIV measurements of the highly complex patient-specific geometry of the human trachea. A computertomographic scan of a person's head builds the basis of the experimental silicone model of the nasal airways. An optimised approach for precise refractive index matching avoids optical distortions even in highly complex non-free-of-sight 3D geometries. A linear-motor-driven pump generates breathing scenarios, based on measured breathing cycles. Adjusting of the CCD cameras' double-frame-rate PIV-Δt enables the detailed analysis of flow structures during different cycle phases. Merging regions of interest enables high spatial resolution acquisition of the flow field.}, language = {en} } @article{EigenbergerFelthausSchratzenstalleretal., author = {Eigenberger, Andreas and Felthaus, Oliver and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Haerteis, Silke and Utpatel, Kirsten and Prantl, Lukas}, title = {The Effects of Shear Force-Based Processing of Lipoaspirates on White Adipose Tissue and the Differentiation Potential of Adipose Derived Stem Cells}, series = {cells}, volume = {11}, journal = {cells}, number = {16}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/cells11162543}, pages = {13}, abstract = {Autologous lipotransfer is a promising method for tissue regeneration, because white adipose tissue contains a heterogeneous cell population, including mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, immune cells, and adipocytes. In order to improve the outcome, adipose tissue can be processed before application. In this study, we investigated changes caused by mechanical processing. Lipoaspirates were processed using sedimentation, first-time centrifugation, shear-force homogenization, and second-time centrifugation. The average adipocyte size, stromal vascular cell count, and adipocyte depot size were examined histologically at every processing step. In addition, the adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) were isolated and differentiated osteogenically and adipogenically. While homogenization causes a disruption of adipocyte depots, the shape of the remaining adipocytes is not changed. On average, these adipocytes are smaller than the depot adipocytes, they are surrounded by the ECM, and therefore mechanically more stable. The volume loss of adipocyte depots leads to a significant enrichment of stromal vascular cells such as ADSCs. However, the mechanical processing does not change the potential of the ADSCs to differentiate adipogenically or steogenically. It thus appears that mechanically processed lipoaspirates are promising for the reparation of even mechanically stressed tissue as that found in nasolabial folds. The changes resulting from the processing correspond more to a filtration of mechanically less stable components than to a manipulation of the tissue.}, language = {en} } @article{ObermaierLehleSchmidetal., author = {Obermaier, Lisa and Lehle, Karla and Schmid, Stefanie and Schmid, Christof and Schratzenstaller, Thomas}, title = {Introduction of a new ex vivo porcine coronary artery model: Evaluation of the direct vascular injury after stent implantation with and without dogbone effect}, series = {European Surgical Research}, volume = {63}, journal = {European Surgical Research}, number = {4}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1421-9921}, doi = {10.1159/000527883}, pages = {285 -- 293}, abstract = {Introduction: Neointimal hyperplasia after percutaneous coronary intervention remains a major determinant of in-stent restenosis (ISR). The extent of mechanical vessel injury correlates with ISR. A new ex vivo porcine stent model was introduced and evaluated comparing different stent designs. Methods: Coronary arteries were prepared from pig hearts from the slaughterhouse and used for ex vivo implantations of coronary stents. One basic stent design in two configurations (dogbone, DB; non-dogbone, NDB) was used. Vascular injury was determined according to a modified injury score (IS). Results: Standardized experimental conditions ensured comparable vessel dimensions and overstretch data. DB stents caused more severe IS compared to NDB stents. The mean IS and the IS at the distal end of all stents were significantly reduced for NDB stents (ISMean, DB, 1.16 ±0.12; NDB, 1.02 ±0.12; p=0.018; ISDist, DB, 1.39 ±0.28; NDB, 1.13 ±0.24; p=0.03). Discussion/Conclusion: The introduced ex-vivo model allowed the evaluation of different stent designs exclude unfavorable stent designs.}, language = {en} } @article{GeithNothdurfterHeimletal., author = {Geith, Markus A. and Nothdurfter, Laurenz and Heiml, Manuel and Agrafiotis, Emmanouil and Gruber, Markus and Sommer, Gerhard and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Holzapfel, Gerhard A.}, title = {Quantifying stent-induced damage in coronary arteries by investigating mechanical and structural alterations}, series = {Acta Biomaterialia}, volume = {116}, journal = {Acta Biomaterialia}, number = {October}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.actbio.2020.08.016}, pages = {285 -- 301}, abstract = {Vascular damage develops with diverging severity during and after percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement and is the prevailing stimulus for in-stent restenosis. Previous work has failed to link mechanical data obtained in a realistic in vivo or in vitro environment with data collected during imaging processes. We investigated whether specimens of porcine right coronary arteries soften when indented with a stent strut shaped structure, and if the softening results from damage mechanisms inside the fibrillar collagen structure. To simulate the multiaxial loading scenario of a stented coronary artery, we developed the testing device 'LAESIO' that can measure differences in the stress-stretch behavior of the arterial wall before and after the indentation of a strut-like stamp. The testing protocol was optimized according to preliminary experiments, more specifically equilibrium and relaxation tests. After chemical fixation of the specimens and subsequent tissue clearing, we performed three-dimensional surface and second-harmonic generation scans on the deformed specimens. We analyzed and correlated the mechanical response with structural parameters of high-affected tissue located next to the stamp indentation and low-affected tissue beyond the injured area. The results reveal that damage mechanisms, like tissue compression as well as softening, fiber dispersion, and the lesion extent, are direction-dependent, and the severity of them is linked to the strut orientation, indentation pressure, and position. The findings highlight the need for further investigations by applying the proposed methods to human coronary arteries. Additional data and insights might help to incorporate the observed damage mechanisms into material models for finite element analyses to perform more accurate simulations of stent-implantations.}, language = {en} } @article{WiesentSchultheissSchmidetal., author = {Wiesent, Lisa and Schultheiss, Ulrich and Schmid, Christof and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Nonn, Aida}, title = {Experimentally validated simulation of coronary stents considering different dogboning ratios and asymmetric stent positioning}, series = {PlOS One}, volume = {14}, journal = {PlOS One}, number = {10}, publisher = {PLOS}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0224026}, pages = {1 -- 25}, abstract = {In-stent restenosis remains a major problem of arteriosclerosis treatment by stenting. Expansion-optimized stents could reduce this problem. With numerical simulations, stent designs/ expansion behaviours can be effectively analyzed. For reasons of efficiency, simplified models of balloon-expandable stents are often used, but their accuracy must be challenged due to insufficient experimental validation. In this work, a realistic stent life-cycle simulation has been performed including balloon folding, stent crimping and free expansion of the balloon-stent-system. The successful simulation and validation of two stent designs with homogenous and heterogeneous stent stiffness and an asymmetrically positioned stent on the balloon catheter confirm the universal applicability of the simulation approach. Dogboning ratio, as well as the final dimensions of the folded balloon, the crimped and expanded stent, correspond well to the experimental dimensions with only slight deviations. In contrast to the detailed stent life-cycle simulation, a displacement-controlled simulation can not predict the transient stent expansion, but is suitable to reproduce the final expanded stent shape and the associated stress states. The detailed stent life-cycle simulation is thus essential for stent expansion analysis/optimization, whereas for reasons of computational efficiency, the displacement-controlled approach can be considered in the context of pure stress analysis.}, subject = {Stent}, language = {en} } @article{GeithSwidergalHochholdingeretal., author = {Geith, Markus A. and Swidergal, Krzysztof and Hochholdinger, Bernd and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Wagner, Marcus and Holzapfel, Gerhard A.}, title = {On the importance of modeling balloon folding, pleating, and stent crimping: An FE study comparing experimental inflation tests}, series = {International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering}, volume = {35}, journal = {International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering}, number = {11}, publisher = {Wiley}, doi = {10.1002/cnm.3249}, abstract = {Finite element (FE)-based studies of preoperative processes such as folding,pleating, and stent crimping with a comparison with experimental inflation tests are not yet available. Therefore, a novel workflow is presented in which residual stresses of balloon folding and pleating, as well as stent crimping, and the geometries of all contact partners were ultimately implemented in an FE code to simulate stent expansion by using an implicit solver. The numerical results demonstrate that the incorporation of residual stresses and strains experienced during the production step significantly increased the accuracy of the subsequent simulations, especially of the stent expansion model. During the preoperative processes, stresses inside the membrane and the stent material also reached a rather high level. Hence, there can be no presumption that balloon catheters or stents are undamaged before the actual surgery. The implementation of the realistic geometry, in particular the balloon tapers, and the blades of the process devices improved the simulation of the expansion mech-anisms, such as dogboning, concave bending, or overexpansion of stent cells. This study shows that implicit solvers are able to precisely simulate the mentioned preoperative processes and the stent expansion procedure without a preceding manipulation of the simulation time or physical mass.}, subject = {Stent}, language = {en} } @article{ZentgrafNuetzelMuehlbaueretal., author = {Zentgraf, Jan and N{\"u}tzel, Florian and M{\"u}hlbauer, Nico and Schultheiss, Ulrich and Grad, Marius and Schratzenstaller, Thomas}, title = {Surface Treatment of Additively Manufactured Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) by Centrifugal Disc Finishing Process: Identification of the Key Parameters}, series = {Polymers}, volume = {16}, journal = {Polymers}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4360}, doi = {10.3390/polym16162348}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-73959}, abstract = {Polyetheretherketone is a promising material for implants due to its good mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility. Its accessibility to a wide range of applications is facilitated by the ability to process it with an easy-to-use manufacturing process such as fused filament fabrication. The elimination of disadvantages associated with the manufacturing process, such as a poor surface quality, is a main challenge to deal with. As part of the mass finishing process, centrifugal disc finishing has demonstrated good results in surface optimization, making it a promising candidate for the post-processing of additively manufactured parts. The objective of this study is to identify the key parameters of the centrifugal disc finishing process on the waviness of additively manufactured PEEK specimens, which has not been investigated previously. The waviness of the specimen was investigated by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), while weight loss was additionally tracked. Six parameters were investigated: type, amount and speed of media, use of compound, amount of water and time. Type of media, time and speed were found to significantly influence waviness reduction and weight loss. Surface electron microscopy images demonstrated the additional effects of deburring and corner rounding. Results on previous studies with specimens made of metal showed similar results. Further investigation is required to optimize waviness reduction and polish parts in a second post-processing step.}, language = {en} } @article{WiesentSchultheissLullaetal., author = {Wiesent, Lisa and Schultheiß, Ulrich and Lulla, Philipp and Noster, Ulf and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Schmid, Christof and Nonn, Aida and Spear, Ashley}, title = {Computational analysis of the effects of geometric irregularities and post-processing steps on the mechanical behavior of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel stents}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {15}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {12}, publisher = {PLOS}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0244463}, pages = {1 -- 30}, abstract = {Advances in additive manufacturing enable the production of tailored lattice structures and thus, in principle, coronary stents. This study investigates the effects of process-related irregularities, heat and surface treatment on the morphology, mechanical response, and expansion behavior of 316L stainless steel stents produced by laser powder bed fusion and provides a methodological approach for their numerical evaluation. A combined experimental and computational framework is used, based on both actual and computationally reconstructed laser powder bed fused stents. Process-related morphological deviations between the as-designed and actual laser powder bed fused stents were observed, resulting in a diameter increase by a factor of 2-2.6 for the stents without surface treatment and 1.3-2 for the electropolished stent compared to the as-designed stent. Thus, due to the increased geometrically induced stiffness, the laser powder bed fused stents in the as-built (7.11 ± 0.63 N) or the heat treated condition (5.87 ± 0.49 N) showed increased radial forces when compressed between two plates. After electropolishing, the heat treated stents exhibited radial forces (2.38 ± 0.23 N) comparable to conventional metallic stents. The laser powder bed fused stents were further affected by the size effect, resulting in a reduced yield strength by 41\% in the as-built and by 59\% in the heat treated condition compared to the bulk material obtained from tensile tests. The presented numerical approach was successful in predicting the macroscopic mechanical response of the stents under compression. During deformation, increased stiffness and local stress concentration were observed within the laser powder bed fused stents. Subsequent numerical expansion analysis of the derived stent models within a previously verified numerical model of stent expansion showed that electropolished and heat treated laser powder bed fused stents can exhibit comparable expansion behavior to conventional stents. The findings from this work motivate future experimental/numerical studies to quantify threshold values of critical geometric irregularities, which could be used to establish design guidelines for laser powder bed fused stents/lattice structures.}, subject = {Koronarendoprothese}, language = {en} } @article{WesselyHausleiterMichaelisetal., author = {Wessely, Rainer and Hausleiter, J{\"o}rg and Michaelis, Cornelia and Jaschke, Birgit and Vogeser, Michael and Milz, Stefan and Behnisch, Boris and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Renke-Gluszko, Magdalena and St{\"o}ver, Michael and Wintermantel, Erich and Kastrati, Adnan and Sch{\"o}mig, Albert}, title = {Inhibition of neointima formation by a novel drug-eluting stent system that allows for dose-adjustable, multiple, and on-site stent coating}, series = {Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology}, volume = {25}, journal = {Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology}, number = {4}, issn = {1524-4636}, doi = {10.1161/01.ATV.0000157579.52566.ee}, pages = {748 -- 753}, abstract = {Objective The risk of in-stent restenosis can be considerably reduced by stents eluting cytostatic compounds. We created a novel drug-eluting stent system that includes several new features in the rapidly evolving field of stent-based drug delivery. Methods and Results The aim of the present study was the preclinical evaluation of a stent-coating system permitting individual, on-site coating of stents with a unique microporous surface allowing for individualizable, dose-adjustable, and multiple coatings with identical or various compounds, designated ISAR (individualizable drug-eluting stent system to abrogate restenosis). Stents were coated with 0.75\% rapamycin solution, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based determination of drug release profile indicated drug release for >21 days. Rapamycin-eluting microporous (REMP) stents implanted in porcine coronary arteries were safe. To determine the efficacy of REMP stents, this novel drug-eluting stent platform was compared with the standard sirolimus-eluting stent. At 30 days, in-stent neointima formation in porcine coronary arteries was similar in both groups, yielding a significant decrease of neointimal area and injury-dependent neointimal thickness compared with bare-metal stents. Conclusion The ISAR drug-eluting stent platform as a novel concept for stent coating allows for a safe, effective, on-site stent coating process, thus justifying further clinical evaluation to decrease in-stent restenosis in humans. In-stent neointima formation can be successfully attenuated by drug-eluting stents. We introduce a novel conceptual approach for stent-coating that allows for dose-adjustable, on-site stent coating process if desired with multiple compounds. Microporous stents coated with rapamycin proved safe and effective for the limitation of neointima formation in a porcine coronary stent model.}, language = {en} } @article{HausleiterKastratiWesselyetal., author = {Hausleiter, J{\"o}rg and Kastrati, Adnan and Wessely, Rainer and Dibra, Alban and Mehilli, Julinda and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Graf, Isolde and Renke-Gluszko, Magdalena and Behnisch, Boris and Dirschinger, Josef and Wintermantel, Erich and Sch{\"o}mig, Albert}, title = {Prevention of restenosis by a novel drug-eluting stent system with a dose-adjustable, polymer-free, on-site stent coating}, series = {European Heart Journal - Clinical research}, volume = {26}, journal = {European Heart Journal - Clinical research}, number = {15}, doi = {10.1093/eurheartj/ehi405}, pages = {1475 -- 1481}, abstract = {Aims Drug-eluting stents (DES) represent a major advance in interventional cardiology. Along with the success shown, current DES also present limitations related to the presence of polymer-coating, fixed drug, and dose used. With the ISAR (Individualized Drug-Eluting Stent System to Abrogate Restenosis) project, a DES system has been developed that permits individualized choice of the drug and dose to use for the given patient. The objective of this prospective dose finding study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a polymer-free on-site stent coating with increasing rapamycin doses. Methods and results In this dose finding study, 602 patients were sequentially enrolled in four groups: microporous bare metal stent (BMS), DES stents coated with a 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0\% rapamycin solution. The angiographic in-segment restenosis rate at follow-up angiography was the primary study endpoint. In-segment restenosis was significantly reduced from 25.9\% with BMS to 18.9, 17.2, and 14.7\% with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0\% rapamycin-eluting stents, respectively (P=0.024). Similarly, the need for target lesion revascularization at 1 year follow-up was reduced from 21.5\% with BMS to 16.4, 12.6, and 8.8\% with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0\% rapamycin-eluting stents, respectively (P=0.006). Conclusion The placement of polymer-free stents coated on-site with rapamycin is feasible and safe. Furthermore, a dose-dependent efficacy in restenosis prevention is achievable with this new DES concept.}, language = {en} } @article{PrantlEigenbergerKleinetal., author = {Prantl, Lukas and Eigenberger, Andreas and Klein, Silvan and Limm, Katharina and Oefner, Peter J. and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Felthaus, Oliver}, title = {Shear Force Processing of Lipoaspirates for Stem Cell Enrichment Does Not Affect Secretome of Human Cells Detected by Mass Spectrometry In Vitro}, series = {Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery}, volume = {146}, journal = {Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Society of Plastic Surgeons}, doi = {10.1097/PRS.0000000000007343}, pages = {749e -- 758e}, abstract = {Background: Lipofilling is one of the most often performed surgical procedures in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Lipoaspirates provide a ready source of stem cells and secreted factors that contribute to neoangiogenesis and fat graft survival. However, the regulations about the enrichment of these beneficial cells and factors are ambiguous. In this study, the authors tested whether a combination of centrifugation and homogenization allowed the enrichment of viable stem cells in lipoaspirates through the selective removal of tumescent solution, blood, and released lipids without significantly affecting the cell secretome. Methods: Human lipoaspirate was harvested from six different patients using water jet-assisted liposuction. Lipoaspirate was homogenized by first centrifugation (3584 rpm for 2 minutes), shear strain (10 times intersyringe processing), and second centrifugation (3584 rpm for 2 minutes). Stem cell enrichment was shown by cell counting after stem cell isolation. Lipoaspirate from different processing steps (unprocessed, after first centrifugation, after homogenization, after second centrifugation) was incubated in serum-free cell culture medium for mass spectrometric analysis of secreted proteins. Results: Lipoaspirate homogenization leads to a significant 2.6 ± 1.75-fold enrichment attributable to volume reduction without reducing the viability of the stem cells. Protein composition of the secretome did not change significantly after tissue homogenization. Considering the enrichment effects, there were no significant differences in the protein concentration of the 83 proteins found in all processing steps. Conclusions: Stem cells can be enriched mechanically without significantly affecting the composition of secreted proteins. Shear-assisted enrichment of lipoaspirate constitutes no substantial manipulation of the cells' secretome.}, language = {en} } @article{GeithEckmannHaspingeretal., author = {Geith, Markus A. and Eckmann, Jakob D. and Haspinger, Daniel Ch. and Agrafiotis, Emmanouil and Maier, Dominik and Szabo, Patrick and Sommer, Gerhard and Schratzenstaller, Thomas and Holzapfel, Gerhard A.}, title = {Experimental and mathematical characterization of coronary polyamide-12 balloon catheter membranes}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {15}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {6}, publisher = {PLOS}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0234340}, pages = {1 -- 22}, abstract = {The experimental quantification and modeling of the multiaxial mechanical response of polymer membranes of coronary balloon catheters have not yet been carried out. Due to the lack of insights, it is not shown whether isotropic material models can describe the material response of balloon catheter membranes expanded with nominal or higher, supra-nominal pressures. Therefore, for the first time, specimens of commercial polyamide-12 balloon catheters membranes were investigated during uniaxial and biaxial loading scenarios. Furthermore, the influence of kinematic effects on the material response was observed by comparing results from quasi-static and dynamic biaxial extension tests. Novel clamping techniques are described, which allow to test even tiny specimens taken from the balloon membranes. The results of this study reveal the semi-compliant, nonlinear, and viscoelastic character of polyamide-12 balloon catheter membranes. Above nominal pressure, the membranes show a pronounced anisotropic mechanical behavior with a stiffer response in the circumferential direction. The anisotropic feature intensifies with an increasing strain-rate. A modified polynomial model was applied to represent the realistic mechanical response of the balloon catheter membranes during dynamic biaxial extension tests. This study also includes a compact set of constitutive model parameters for the use of the proposed model in future finite element analyses to perform more accurate simulations of expanding balloon catheters.}, language = {en} } @article{TauwaldErzingerQuadrioetal., author = {Tauwald, Sandra Melina and Erzinger, Florian and Quadrio, Maurizio and R{\"u}tten, Markus and Stemmer, Christian and Krenkel, Lars}, title = {Tomo-PIV in a patient-specific model of human nasal cavities: a methodological approach}, series = {Measurement Science and Technology}, volume = {35}, journal = {Measurement Science and Technology}, number = {5}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, doi = {10.1088/1361-6501/ad282c}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-70393}, abstract = {The human nose serves as the primary gateway for air entering the respiratory system and plays a vital role in breathing. Nasal breathing difficulties are a significant health concern, leading to substantial healthcare costs for patients. Understanding nasal airflow dynamics is crucial for comprehending respiratory mechanisms. This article presents a detailed study using tomo-Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to investigate nasal airflow dynamics while addressing its accuracy. Embedded in the OpenNose project, the work described aims to provide a validation basis for different numerical approaches to upper airway flow. The study includes the manufacturing of a transparent silicone model based on a clinical CT scan, refractive index matching to minimize optical distortions, and precise flow rate adjustments based on physiological breathing cycles. This method allows for spatial high-resolution investigations in different regions of interest within the nasopharynx during various phases of the breathing cycle. The results demonstrate the accuracy of the investigations, enabling detailed analysis of flow structures and gradients. This spatial high-resolution tomo-PIV approach provides valuable insights into the complex flow phenomena occurring during the physiological breathing cycle in the nasopharynx. The study's findings contribute to advancements in non-free-of-sight experimental flow investigation of complex cavities under nearly realistic conditions. Furthermore, reliable and accurate experimental data is crucial for properly validating numerical approaches that compute this patient-specific flow for clinical purposes.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FuhrmannFarmbauerNiemetz, author = {Fuhrmann, Thomas and Farmbauer, Michael and Niemetz, Michael}, title = {Integrating GNU Radio into a Virtual Course about Communication Systems}, series = {44th International Convention on Information, Communication and Electronic Technology (MIPRO): 27.09. - 01.10.2021, Opatija, Croatia}, booktitle = {44th International Convention on Information, Communication and Electronic Technology (MIPRO): 27.09. - 01.10.2021, Opatija, Croatia}, publisher = {IEEE}, isbn = {978-953-233-101-1}, doi = {10.23919/MIPRO52101.2021.9596700}, pages = {1565 -- 1570}, abstract = {Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the course Communication Systems was transferred from presence to a virtual lecture. No hands-on lab experiments were possible. Therefore, a GNU Radio practical part was integrated into the lecture. A tutorial was written to guide students through the first steps with GNU Radio to decrease initial problems and increase student motivation. Several examples were given regarding digital signal processing, analogue and digital modulation and demodulation. Software Defined Radio receivers were set up in the amateur radio lab of the university and connected to the internet so that students were able to get real radio data to be analyzed and demodulated with their own GNU Radio models. This enables a knowledge transfer from simulated signal processing to the analysis and demodulation of real live signals. Students showed medium to high interest in practical examples during the lectures and tried their own GNU Radio simulations. Overall, the integration of GNU Radio and Software Defined Radio receivers into this virtual lecture gave additional benefits for the students to deal with signal processing and demodulation experiments. It is planned to use GNU Radio in the future for complementary practical examples to the hands-on experiments in the lab.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WestnerFuhrmannWaasetal., author = {Westner, Markus and Fuhrmann, Thomas and Waas, Thomas and Skelton, David}, title = {Internationalization of a Computer Science Faculty}, series = {9th Annual International Conference on Computer Science Education: Innovation and Technology (CSEIT 2018), 2018, Singapore}, booktitle = {9th Annual International Conference on Computer Science Education: Innovation and Technology (CSEIT 2018), 2018, Singapore}, doi = {10.5176/2251-2195_CSEIT18.118}, pages = {33 -- 38}, abstract = {The paper at hand describes how a regional university of applied sciences tried to internationalize its learning and teaching environment. It describes the challenges encountered, the managerial approach taken, illustrates the implemented initiatives, and how effective they turned out. The results might be relevant to faculty staff in managerial positions at regional universities all over the world that face the challenge to internationalize their teaching and learning environment for the benefit of their domestic students.}, subject = {Internationalisierung}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SkeltonWestner, author = {Skelton, David and Westner, Markus}, title = {International internships}, series = {Refereed Proceedings of the 3rd International Research Symposium on Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education, Stuttgart, Germany : 3rd - 27th of June, 2018, Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany}, booktitle = {Refereed Proceedings of the 3rd International Research Symposium on Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education, Stuttgart, Germany : 3rd - 27th of June, 2018, Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany}, editor = {Zegwaard, Karsten E. and Ford, Marty}, isbn = {978-0-473-46291-8}, pages = {193 -- 198}, abstract = {Students are increasingly considering expanding their cooperative experiences into the global environment. This paper investigates the experiences of students undertaking their internship capstone in other countries under the supervision of a partner institute and a participating industry sponsor. These experiences of German students interning in New Zealand (NZ), and NZ students interning in Germany offer an insight into the organisation required by the partner institutions and the comparative cultural and technical differences that these students have encountered. The international agreement between Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg, Germany, and the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), NZ, has already built a mutual framework of visiting lecturers teaching in each other's institutes, and a programme of hosting exchange students in each other's institutes. A natural progression of this partnership has now moved into the active recruitment and brokering of international internship opportunities for their respective final year Business and Information Technology (IT) students. The benefits are evident personally to the students, which are discussed in this paper, but there are also clear benefits for EIT and OTH in terms of marketing opportunities for prospective students and enriching the learning environments. This paper explores the challenges faced by the Schools of Business and Computing at EIT as it pioneers the first two years of establishing internship options for final year German exchange students within NZ, and matching final year EIT degree students to industry sponsors within Bavaria, a federal state of Germany. A qualitative approach was taken for this study with data acquired from internship students involved, the key organising lecturers from each institute, and industry sponsors from each country. A number of student, staff and industry representative interviews were conducted along with a cultural appraisal of relevant literature in the global education field. A further overview of the macro benefits for the partner institutes in terms of marketing, and programme enrichment is also part of the conclusion. The paper may be useful as a template for other institutes on developing international internship opportunities through global partners.}, subject = {Wirtschaftswissenschaftliches Studium}, language = {en} } @article{WeberBittnerManzeschkeetal., author = {Weber, Karsten and Bittner, Uta and Manzeschke, Arne and Rother, Elisabeth and Quack, Fredericke and Dengler, Kathrin and Fangerau, Heiner}, title = {Taking Patient Privacy and Autonomy More Seriously}, series = {American Journal of Bioethics}, volume = {12}, journal = {American Journal of Bioethics}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1080/15265161.2012.699147}, pages = {51 -- 53}, language = {en} } @article{WeberDullienGrifkaetal., author = {Weber, Tim and Dullien, Silvia and Grifka, Joachim and Renkawitz, Tobias and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Validation of a Motion Capture Laboratory and a new marker-placement protcol for clinical applications}, series = {Gait \& Posture}, volume = {38}, journal = {Gait \& Posture}, number = {Suppl. 1}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.07.229}, pages = {113 -- 114}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SeebauerJahnMottok, author = {Seebauer, Stefan and Jahn, Sabrina and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Learning from Escape Rooms? A Study Design Concept Measuring the Effect of a Cryptography Educational Escape Room}, series = {2020 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON): 27-30 April 2020, Porto, Portugal}, booktitle = {2020 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON): 27-30 April 2020, Porto, Portugal}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON45650.2020.9125333}, pages = {1684 -- 1685}, abstract = {Experts predict that more IT-Security specialists will be needed in the coming years, but in current higher education in engineering disciplines, this topic is hardly addressed. Newer learning methods such as game-based learning (GBL) are enjoying an increasing popularity as their improvement in the education of subject specific topics can be proven by a variety of studies. We chose Educational Escape Rooms (EduER) as a GBL-tool to impart IT-Security in higher education of engineers. In our Escape Room (ER), the students try to solve puzzles and riddles with learned knowledge on the emphasis of cryptography. This paper first deals with a brief introduction to GBL and EduERs, followed by the design of our ER concept, containing different tasks with focus on the topic of cryptography. The tasks cover different cryptographic methods and hash algorithms, e.g. AES, RSA, SHA3. Afterwards the experimental study is presented. The study of the EduER was carried out with students from the bachelor's program in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the OTH Regensburg. The participants were divided into three groups of 5 to 8 persons each. They received a briefing with important information, followed by the ER execution, a debriefing afterwards and an exam-like evaluation sheet to test their learned knowledge. Finally, first basic results are presented.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KloppGoldVeerkampAbkeetal., author = {Klopp, Marco and Gold-Veerkamp, Carolin and Abke, J{\"o}rg and Borgeest, Kai and Reuter, Rebecca and Jahn, Sabrina and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen and Sedelmaier, Yvonne and Lehmann, Alexander and Landes, Dieter}, title = {Totally Different and yet so Alike: Three Concepts to Use Scrum in Higher Education}, series = {Proceedings of the 4th European Conference on Software Engineering Education (ECSEE '20): June 2020, Seeon/Bavaria, Germany}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 4th European Conference on Software Engineering Education (ECSEE '20): June 2020, Seeon/Bavaria, Germany}, doi = {10.1145/3396802.3396817}, pages = {12 -- 21}, abstract = {Software process models are important in software projects in order to give the work of a project guidelines or a framework. However, teaching process models in higher education seems to be quite challenging. This has to do with the fact that undergraduates have no experience with projects in which process models are used. The theoretical mediation of process models is initially on a very abstract level. For this reason, we chose to combine two didactic approaches, namely problem-based learning and project work. Various traditional plan-driven process models have been expanded in courses in Software Engineering with agile process models. The Scrum Framework is the focus of consideration of this paper. Three Universities of Applied Sciences which cooperate in the EVELIN project focused on Scrum as a process model and integrated it into their teaching. Since the respective concepts of implementation differ, they should be presented and compared in this article to presents some practice approaches. The goal of this presentation of is a uniform evaluation in order to obtain insights from different perspectives. This comparison can draw conclusions for possible necessary improvements of the respective concepts.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{JahnMottok, author = {Jahn, Sabrina and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Work in Progress: Towards an Academic Secure Software Engineering Curriculum for Engineers}, series = {2020 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON): 27-30 April 2020, Porto, Portugal}, booktitle = {2020 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON): 27-30 April 2020, Porto, Portugal}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON45650.2020.9125210}, pages = {1713 -- 1717}, abstract = {In the age of the Internet of Things, it is becoming increasingly important to integrate knowledge about the development of secure systems (Secure Software Engineering) into academic teaching. However, teaching IT Security and Secure Software Engineering to non-computer scientists is rare. Therefore, we focus our research on the integration of IT Security into software engineering education of non-computer scientists, particularly electrical engineers, by means of inductive teaching- and learning-arrangements. After collecting students' preconceptions of IT Security and Secure Software Engineering in prior work, this paper now contributes with a first mapping of these preconceptions with corresponding learning content as well as suitable inductive teaching methods to be able to create new lecture and exercise units and improve academic learning and teaching in both areas.}, language = {en} } @article{KoenigGuertler, author = {Koenig, Eric and Guertler, Katherine}, title = {One Size Does Not Fit All: Individuality and Perceptions of Improvement and Satisfaction Among TE Students}, series = {English Teaching \& Learning}, volume = {45}, journal = {English Teaching \& Learning}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media}, issn = {1023-7267}, doi = {10.1007/s42321-021-00076-4}, pages = {303 -- 324}, abstract = {Academic self-regulation is a key factor for motivation and learning achievement. Yet with the large range of individual factors, this is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. This study of L2 Technical English students at two German universities explored learners' expectations and motivations, in particular regarding self-regulation and self-efficacy via the individual's time investment in self-led study. In an initial survey, learners (N=1646) reported on their English skill levels and anticipated learning habits. Complementarily, the retrospective survey investigated learners' (N=796) actual behavior during the course, their perceptions of language skill improvement, and their satisfaction. The initial survey indicates a clear understanding that time investment in self-regulated study will lead to greater improvement, an outcome confirmed in the retrospective survey. Additionally, students who invested more time in their coursework were more satisfied with their achievement, although most learners acknowledge they should have studied more. The results verify that learners recognize the nexus between self-regulation and language skill improvement, yet university students are not satisfied with their capacity to self-regulate their language learning strategies. While differences in students' skill levels and academic self-efficacy result in divergent degrees of progress, students of all types report benefits to their language skills when motivated to self-regulated study.}, language = {en} } @article{HaugMilewski, author = {Haug, Sonja and Milewski, Nadja}, title = {Women's Attitudes toward Assisted Reproductive Technologies - A Pilot Study among Migrant Minorities and Non-migrants in Germany}, series = {Comparative population studies}, volume = {43}, journal = {Comparative population studies}, publisher = {Bundesinstitut Bev{\"o}lkerungsforschung (BIB)}, doi = {10.12765/CPoS-2019-06en}, pages = {343 -- 370}, abstract = {This study examines attitudes toward assisted reproductive technologies (ART) among immigrant women and non-migrants in Germany. The social relevance of ART is increasing in Western countries due to overall low birth rates, a high rate of childlessness, and a gap between the desired and the actual numbers of children. Previous literature has been scarce, however, on attitudes toward ART, and immigrant minorities have rarely been included in studies on ART. Our working hypotheses are drawn from theoretical considerations on political socialisation and cultural integration. The analysis is based on data collected in a pilot study in 2014 and 2015. The sample includes 960 women aged 18 to 50 living in Germany. About 81 percent of the sample are immigrants who originate from Turkey, Poland, the Balkan countries, or countries of the (Russian) Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). We study the social norm to use ART to have a child, the personal attitude of whether a woman would use ART herself, and the methods that they would consider for their own use. Our results show that ART is overall socially acceptable, and the majority of women said that they would use it if necessary. There is significant variation between the origin groups, however. Non-migrants show the lowest acceptance rates and migrants from Poland and Turkey the highest approval. There is also variation in the ART procedures considered for use with the migrants more approving of heterologous methods than non-migrants. The differences between the origin groups diminish only partly when controlling for further explanatory variables, i.e. gender-role attitudes, religiosity, and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. We conclude that attitudes toward ART are shaped less by socio-demographic characteristics, but rather by cultural factors and the socialization in the migrants' countries of origin. The diversity in attitudes toward ART by cultural background should be acknowledged in research and public discourses on ART as well as in regulating policies.}, language = {en} } @incollection{AltenbuchnerWeber, author = {Altenbuchner, Amelie and Weber, Karsten}, title = {Geriatric trauma patients as research subjects in a technology-driven research project}, series = {Aging between Participation and Simulation}, booktitle = {Aging between Participation and Simulation}, editor = {Haltaufderheide, Joschka and Hovemann, Johanna and Vollmann, Jochen}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin u.a.}, isbn = {9783110677485}, doi = {10.1515/9783110677485-006}, pages = {87 -- 104}, abstract = {This article highlights methodological and ethical challenges in research with adults of older and oldest age, by presenting field experiences of the current research project "Motion Monitoring of Geriatric Trauma Patients - Explorative Study on the Rehabilitation Process after Hip Fracture Using Sensor-based Data". Depiction of the survey situation, with regard to the subjects in particular, can serve as practical examples for designing future research projects. The group of older adults is a rather large and growing group for which research is required, especially concerning their heterogeneity, their individual autonomy and quality of life. It is assumed, that research designs of studies on the target group must be specifically adjusted, in particular when considering the attribution of vulnerability of the group members. At the same time, it is not clear yet what exact specifics of the subjects and target group must be considered in research designs, as surprisingly little is known about the target group as subjects and corresponding theories have been insufficiently tested. The exploratory long-term design of the research project presented in the second section of this chapter has a positive evaluation of an ethics committee. Still ethical challenges occurred in the field situation, that are illustrated in the third section of this chapter, by providing information on the patients, their role as research subjects, how they were recruited, how an informed consensus was reached, and in some cases how participation was rejected or abandoned. After a summary, the end of the paper is marked by recommendations on how to design future research projects. Cumulatively it must always be expected that interaction between researchers and research subjects of this target group can become very intensive, what requires to follow clearly defined procedures and at the same time to be prepared to act flexibly.}, language = {en} } @article{WeberPallasUlbricht, author = {Weber, Karsten and Pallas, Frank and Ulbricht, Max-R.}, title = {Challenges of Citizen Science: Commons, Incentives, Organizations, and Regulations}, series = {American Journal of Bioethics}, volume = {19}, journal = {American Journal of Bioethics}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1080/15265161.2019.1619862}, pages = {52 -- 54}, language = {en} } @article{WeberLoiChristenetal., author = {Weber, Karsten and Loi, Michele and Christen, Markus and Kleine, Nadine}, title = {Digital Medicine, Cybersecurity, and Ethics}, series = {American Journal of Bioethics}, volume = {18}, journal = {American Journal of Bioethics}, number = {9}, publisher = {Taylor\&Francis}, doi = {10.1080/15265161.2018.1498935}, pages = {52 -- 53}, language = {en} } @article{SchneiderWeber, author = {Schneider, Diana and Weber, Karsten}, title = {AI for decision support: What are possible futures, social impacts, regulatory options, ethical conundrums and agency constellations?}, series = {TATuP - Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Technikfolgenabsch{\"a}tzung in Theorie und Praxis}, volume = {33}, journal = {TATuP - Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Technikfolgenabsch{\"a}tzung in Theorie und Praxis}, number = {1}, publisher = {oekom verlag}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {2567-8833}, doi = {10.14512/tatup.33.1.08}, pages = {8 -- 13}, abstract = {Although artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems have been around for some time, they have only recently gained in importance as they are now actually being used and are no longer just the subject of research. AI to support decision-making is thus affecting ever larger parts of society, creating technical, but above all ethical, legal, and societal challenges, as decisions can now be made by machines that were previously the responsibility of humans. This introduction provides an overview of attempts to regulate AI and addresses key challenges that arise when integrating AI systems into human decision-making. The Special topic brings together research articles that present societal challenges, ethical issues, stakeholders, and possible futures of AI use for decision support in healthcare, the legal system, and border control.}, language = {en} } @article{SchneiderWeber, author = {Schneider, Diana and Weber, Karsten}, title = {AI‑based decision support systems and society: An opening statement}, series = {TATuP - Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Technikfolgenabsch{\"a}tzung in Theorie und Praxis}, volume = {33}, journal = {TATuP - Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Technikfolgenabsch{\"a}tzung in Theorie und Praxis}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oekom}, doi = {10.14512/tatup.33.1.9}, pages = {9 -- 13}, abstract = {Although artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems have been around for some time, they have only recently gained in importance as they are now actually being used and are no longer just the subject of research. AI to support decision-making is thus affecting ever larger parts of society, creating technical, but above all ethical, legal, and societal challenges, as decisions can now be made by machines that were previously the responsibility of humans. This introduction provides an overview of attempts to regulate AI and addresses key challenges that arise when integrating AI systems into human decision-making. The Special topic brings together research articles that present societal challenges, ethical issues, stakeholders, and possible futures of AI use for decision support in healthcare, the legal system, and border control.}, language = {en} } @article{Weber, author = {Weber, Karsten}, title = {Promoting Individual Well-Being, Increasing Social Welfare, and Securing Genetic Diversity Simultaneously}, series = {American Journal of Bioethics}, volume = {15}, journal = {American Journal of Bioethics}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1080/15265161.2015.1028660}, pages = {36 -- 37}, language = {en} } @article{Weber, author = {Weber, Karsten}, title = {Is there really a concept called "inherent ethical concern"?}, series = {American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience}, volume = {5}, journal = {American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1080/21507740.2013.868377}, pages = {39 -- 40}, language = {en} } @article{RolfesBittnerFangerauetal., author = {Rolfes, Vasilija and Bittner, Uta and Fangerau, Heiner and Weber, Karsten}, title = {Is it all about revising, correcting, and transferring genes?}, series = {The American Journal of Bioethics}, volume = {20}, journal = {The American Journal of Bioethics}, number = {8}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, doi = {10.1080/15265161.2020.1782526}, pages = {30 -- 32}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HammerDendorfer, author = {Hammer, Joachim and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Cyclic loading and microstructure of cancellous bone}, series = {Journal of Biomechanics}, volume = {41}, booktitle = {Journal of Biomechanics}, number = {Suppl. 1, July 2008}, doi = {10.1016/S0021-9290(08)70409-3}, pages = {S410}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TomerHagelMottoketal., author = {Tomer, Amir and Hagel, Georg and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen and Alt, Dorit and Barak, Miriam I. and Hadar, Irit}, title = {CAPELLA: A conceptual framework for adaptive life-long learning}, series = {IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 25-28 April 2017, Athens, Greece}, booktitle = {IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 25-28 April 2017, Athens, Greece}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON.2017.7943041}, pages = {1463 -- 1472}, abstract = {In this paper we describe a proposed framework for Cooperative Adaptive Personalized Education for Life-long Learning and Activation (CAPELLA). CAPELLA comprises four models: A Knowledge Organization Model, a Learning Process Model, a Community Collaboration Model and a Gaming Model. The underlying pedagogical approach is based on the four pillars of learning: Learning to know, learning to do, learning to collaborate and learning to be. Based on these models and principles, CAPELLA provides a theoretical framework that may assist IT developers to develop state-of-the-art educational platforms and advanced learning applications. Using an example of a UML Diagramming Workshop we demonstrate how CAPELLA incorporates the principles of Adaptive Learning.}, language = {en} } @incollection{Weber, author = {Weber, Karsten}, title = {Civil Society as a Means against Hate Speech}, series = {Crisis and critique: philosophical analysis and current events}, booktitle = {Crisis and critique: philosophical analysis and current events}, editor = {Siegetsleitner, Anne and Oberprantacher, Andreas and Frick, Marie-Luisa and Metschl, Ulrich}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin}, isbn = {9783110702255}, doi = {10.1515/9783110702255-012}, pages = {175 -- 188}, abstract = {On closer examination, the concept of civil society becomes blurred, for instance, on the crucial question of who belongs to civil society. The different answers to this question show how controversial the concept of civil society is, since it cannot be assumed that members of civil society would be morally particularly preferable actors. If, however, the conceptual foundations of and the question of membership in civil society already raise doubts about this concept, the recourse to civil society as a means against fake news and hate speech itself, which is often heard in public debates, becomes doubtful.}, subject = {Hassrede}, language = {en} } @incollection{Weber, author = {Weber, Karsten}, title = {Cybersecurity and Ethics}, series = {The Routledge Handbook of Smart Technologies}, booktitle = {The Routledge Handbook of Smart Technologies}, publisher = {Routledge}, address = {New York}, isbn = {9780429351921}, doi = {10.4324/9780429351921-36}, pages = {608 -- 622}, abstract = {The text aims to demonstrate that establishing cybersecurity is not only a technical challenge, but that legal, economic, or organizational aspects also play at least as important a role. The provision of cybersecurity raises ethical questions, since cybersecurity can affect moral values such as autonomy, freedom, or privacy. If measurements necessary for the provision of cybersecurity shall be accepted, it is essential to find a balance between the different claims of all stakeholders involved. This aim is achieved through a detailed ethical analysis accompanied by an extensive literature study. As the most important result of this analysis, it becomes obvious that cybersecurity is in competition or even conflict with other values and interests, and that establishing cybersecurity always involves a trade-off. Not only can there be no 100 percent cybersecurity for technical reasons, but if other values and interests are to be considered, this inevitably leads to compromises in cybersecurity.}, language = {en} } @article{HaugMilewski, author = {Haug, Sonja and Milewski, Nadja}, title = {Women's attitudes towards assisted reproductive technologies}, series = {Comparative Population Studies. Special Collection on "New aspects in fertility of migrant and minority populations in Europe: The role of attitudes and intentions in family planning"}, volume = {Vol. 43}, journal = {Comparative Population Studies. Special Collection on "New aspects in fertility of migrant and minority populations in Europe: The role of attitudes and intentions in family planning"}, organization = {Federal Institute for Population Research     }, doi = {10.12765/CPoS-2019-06}, pages = {343 -- 370}, abstract = {This study examines attitudes toward assisted reproductive technologies (ART) among immigrant women and non-migrants in Germany. The social relevance of ART is increasing in Western countries due to overall low birth rates, a high rate of childlessness, and a gap between the desired and the actual numbers of children. Previous literature has been scarce, however, on attitudes toward ART, and immigrant minorities have rarely been included in studies on ART. Our working hypotheses are drawn from theoretical considerations on political socialisation and cultural integration. The analysis is based on data collected in a pilot study in 2014 and 2015. The sample includes 960 women aged 18 to 50 living in Germany. About 81 percent of the sample are immigrants who originate from Turkey, Poland, the Balkan countries, or countries of the (Russian) Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). We study the social norm to use ART to have a child, the personal attitude of whether a woman would use ART herself, and the methods that they would consider for their own use. Our results show that ART is overall socially acceptable, and the majority of women said that they would use it if necessary. There is significant variation between the origin groups, however. Non-migrants show the lowest acceptance rates and migrants from Poland and Turkey the highest approval. There is also variation in the ART procedures considered for use with the migrants more approving of heterologous methods than non-migrants. The differences between the origin groups diminish only partly when controlling for further explanatory variables, i.e. gender-role attitudes, religiosity, and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. We conclude that attitudes toward ART are shaped less by socio-demographic characteristics, but rather by cultural factors and the socialization in the migrants' countries of origin. The diversity in attitudes toward ART by cultural background should be acknowledged in research and public discourses on ART as well as in regulating policies.}, language = {en} } @article{HaugLochnerHuber, author = {Haug, Sonja and Lochner, Susanne and Huber, Dominik}, title = {Methodological Aspects of a Quantitative and Qualitative Survey of Asylum Seekers in Germany}, series = {mda - methods data analyses}, volume = {13}, journal = {mda - methods data analyses}, number = {2}, publisher = {GESIS - Leibniz-Institut f{\"u}r Sozialwissenschaften}, doi = {10.12758/mda.2019.02}, pages = {321 -- 340}, abstract = {This field report presents and discusses methodological issues and challenges encountered in a mixed-methods research project on asylum seekers in Bavaria, Germany. It documents the research design of, and field experiences in, a quantitative survey based on a quota sampling procedure and a qualitative study, both of which were conducted in collective accommodation for asylum seekers at selected locations in that federal state. Standardized PAPI multiple-topic questionnaires were completed by asylum seekers from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Iraq (N = 779); most of the questionnaires were self-administered. In addition, 12 qualitative face-to-face biographical interviews were conducted in order to gain an in-depth understanding of attitudes and experiences of asylum seekers. This report focuses on the following aspects: the use of gatekeepers to facilitate participant recruitment; sampling procedures; the involvement of interpreters in the data collection process; response bias and response behaviors among asylum seekers; and the experiences gained from data collection in collective accommodation for asylum seekers.}, language = {en} } @article{PrantlEigenbergerReinhardetal., author = {Prantl, Lukas and Eigenberger, Andreas and Reinhard, Ruben and Siegmund, Andreas and Heumann, Kerstin and Felthaus, Oliver}, title = {Cell-Enriched Lipotransfer (CELT) Improves Tissue Regeneration and Rejuvenation without Substantial Manipulation of the Adipose Tissue Graft}, series = {Cells}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cells}, number = {19}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/cells11193159}, pages = {1 -- 11}, abstract = {The good availability and the large content of adult stem cells in adipose tissue has made it one of the most interesting tissues in regenerative medicine. Although lipofilling is one of the most frequent procedures in plastic surgery, the method still struggles with high absorption rates and volume losses of up to 70\%. Therefore, many efforts have been made to optimize liposuction and to process the harvested tissue in order to increase fat graft retention. Because of their immunomodulatory properties, their cytokine secretory activity, and their differentiation potential, enrichment with adipose tissue-derived stem cells was identified as a promising tool to promote transplant survival. Here, we review the important parameters for lipofilling optimization. Finally, we present a new method for the enrichment of lipoaspirate with adipose tissue-derived stem cells and discuss the parameters that contribute to fat graft survival.}, language = {en} } @article{VisscherWyssSinghetal., author = {Visscher, Rosa and Wyss, C. and Singh, Navrag B. and Taylor, William R. and Dendorfer, Sebastian and Rutz, E. and Brunner, Reinald}, title = {Influence of TAL-TATS surgery on energy production of Tricepts Surae - A musculoskeletal modeling evaluation}, series = {Gait \& Posture}, volume = {81}, journal = {Gait \& Posture}, number = {Suppl. 1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.08.090}, pages = {381 -- 382}, language = {en} } @article{SellmerStanglBeyeretal., author = {Sellmer, Andreas and Stangl, Hubert and Beyer, Mandy and Gr{\"u}nstein, Elisabeth and Leonhardt, Michel and Pongratz, Herwig and Eichhorn, Emerich and Elz, Sigurd and Striegl, Birgit and Jenei-Lanzl, Zsuzsa and Dove, Stefan and Straub, Rainer H. and Kr{\"a}mer, Oliver H. and Mahboobi, Siavosh}, title = {Marbostat-100 Defines a New Class of Potent and Selective Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibitors}, series = {Journal of medicinal chemistry}, volume = {61}, journal = {Journal of medicinal chemistry}, number = {8}, publisher = {ACS Publications}, doi = {10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01593}, pages = {3454 -- 3477}, abstract = {Epigenetic modifiers of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) family contribute to autoimmunity, cancer, HIV infection, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Hence, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), which alter protein acetylation, gene expression patterns, and cell fate decisions, represent promising new drugs for the therapy of these diseases. Whereas pan-HDACi inhibit all 11 Zn2+-dependent histone deacetylases (HDACs) and cause a broad spectrum of side effects, specific inhibitors of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6i) are supposed to have less side effects. We present the synthesis and biological evaluation of Marbostats, novel HDAC6i that contain the hydroxamic acid moiety linked to tetrahydro-β-carboline derivatives. Our lead compound Marbostat-100 is a more potent and more selective HDAC6i than previously established well-characterized compounds in vitro as well as in cells. Moreover, Marbostat-100 is well tolerated by mice and effective against collagen type II induced arthritis. Thus, Marbostat-100 represents a most selective known HDAC6i and the possibility for clinical evaluation of a HDAC isoform-specific drug.}, language = {en} } @article{SinghRussTerzidis, author = {Singh, Max Diamond and Russ, Jochen and Terzidis, Orestis}, title = {The Impact of the ObamaCare Excise Tax on Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Early Empirical Findings}, series = {International Journal of Innovation Science}, volume = {7}, journal = {International Journal of Innovation Science}, number = {2}, publisher = {Emerald}, doi = {10.1260/1757-2223.7.2.75}, pages = {75 -- 90}, abstract = {This study addresses aspects of governmental influence on innovation by analyzing the impact of the ObamaCare excise tax on the medical device industry. We initially give an overview of common approaches to measuring innovativeness and entrepreneurship, empirically assess whether existing metrics are suitable for investigating the innovation performance of the U.S. medical device industry, and define a new measure (firm innovation activity) for entrepreneurship. Then we perform a quantitative analysis to explore the impact of the tax. We analyze more than 60,000 product clearances from 1996 to 2013, using the FDA database. We find a significant relationship between product counts and revenues for one segment. Contrary to the present criticism of the excise tax, we find hardly any noteworthy response in either firm innovation activity or number of products launched in the year after the tax was introduced. The 2013 reduction of new product submissions is well within the limits of typical annual fluctuations observed in previous years. This provides a first indication that the excise tax act did not have a strong impact on innovative activities through the present.}, language = {en} } @article{WidbillerKeimSchlichtingetal., author = {Widbiller, Matthias and Keim, Lukas and Schlichting, Ralf and Striegl, Birgit and Hiller, Karl-Anton and Jungbauer, Rebecca and Buchalla, Wolfgang and Galler, Kerstin M.}, title = {Debris Removal by Activation of Endodontic Irrigants in Complex Root Canal Systems}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {11}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {16}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/app11167331}, pages = {1 -- 14}, abstract = {Aim of the study was to develop a standardized model system to investigate endodontic irrigation techniques and assess the efficiency of different activation methods on the removal of hard tissue debris in complex root canal systems. Mesial roots of mandibular molars were firstly scanned by micro-computed tomography (µCT) and allocated to three groups of irrigant activation: sonic activation (EDDY, VDW, Munich, Germany), laser activation (AutoSWEEPS, FOTONA, Ljubljana, Slovenia) and conventional needle irrigation (control). Roots were fixed in individual 3D-printed holders to facilitate root canal enlargement under constant irrigation with NaOCl (5\%). To enable standardized quantification of remaining debris, BaSO4-enriched dentine powder was compacted into the canals, followed by another µCT-scan. The final irrigation was performed using 17\% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 5\% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with the respective activation method, and the volume of remaining artificial debris was quantified after a final µCT-scan. The newly developed model system allowed for reliable, reproducible and standardized assessment of irrigation methods. Activation of the irrigant proved to be significantly more effective than conventional needle irrigation regarding the removal of debris, which persisted particularly in the apical third of the root canal in the control group. The efficiency of irrigation was significantly enhanced with laser- and sonic-based activation, especially in the apical third.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SuessMelznerDendorfer, author = {Suess, Franz and Melzner, Maximilian and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Towards ergonomics working - machine learning algorithms and musculoskeletal modeling}, series = {IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering}, volume = {1208}, booktitle = {IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, issn = {1757-899X}, doi = {10.1088/1757-899X/1208/1/012001}, abstract = {Ergonomic workplaces lead to fewer work-related musculoskeletal disorders and thus fewer sick days. There are various guidelines to help avoid harmful situations. However, these recommendations are often rather crude and often neglect the complex interaction of biomechanical loading and psychological stress. This study investigates whether machine learning algorithms can be used to predict mechanical and stress-related muscle activity for a standardized motion. For this purpose, experimental data were collected for trunk movement with and without additional psychological stress. Two different algorithms (XGBoost and TensorFlow) were used to model the experimental data. XGBoost in particular predicted the results very well. By combining it with musculoskeletal models, the method shown here can be used for workplace analysis but also for the development of real-time feedback systems in real workplace environments.}, language = {en} } @article{GarkischGoldkind, author = {Garkisch, Michael and Goldkind, Lauri}, title = {Considering a Unified Model of Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Social Work: A Systematic Review}, series = {Journal of Human Rights and Social Work}, journal = {Journal of Human Rights and Social Work}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1007/s41134-024-00326-y}, pages = {20}, abstract = {Social work, as a human rights-based profession, is globally recognized as a profession committed to enhancing human well-being and helping meet the basic needs of all people, with a particular focus on those who are marginalized vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. Artificial intelligence (AI), a sub-discipline of computer science, focuses on developing computers with decision-making capacity. The impacts of these two disciplines on each other and the ecosystems that social work is most concerned with have considerable unrealized potential. This systematic review aims to map the research landscape of social work AI scholarship. The authors analyzed the contents of 67 articles and used a qualitative analytic approach to code the literature, exploring how social work researchers investigate AI. We identified themes consistent with Staub-Bernasconi's triple mandate, covering profession level, social agency (organizations), and clients. The literature has a striking gap or lack of empirical research about AI implementations or using AI strategies as a research method. We present the emergent themes (possibilities and risks) from the analysis as well as recommendations for future social work researchers. We propose an integrated model of Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Social Work (or "Artificial Social Work"), which proposes a marriage of social work practice and artificial intelligence tools. This model is based on our findings and informed by the triple mandate and the human rights framework.}, subject = {K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz}, language = {en} } @article{AlvarezMoretObermeierPohletal., author = {Alvarez Moret, Judit and Obermeier, Tina and Pohl, Fabian and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {Second cancer risk after radiation therapy of ependymoma using the flattening filter free irradiation mode of a linear accelerator}, series = {Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics}, volume = {19}, journal = {Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, organization = {American Association of Physicists in Medicine}, doi = {10.1002/acm2.12438}, pages = {632 -- 639}, abstract = {Pediatric patients suffering from ependymoma are usually treated with cranial or craniospinal three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Intensity-modulated techniques spare dose to the surrounding tissue, but the risk for second malignancies may be increased due to the increase in low-dose volume. The aim of this study is to investigate if the flattening filter free (FFF) mode allows reducing the risk for second malignancies compared to the mode with flattening filter (FF) for intensity-modulated techniques and to 3DCRT. A reduction of the risk would be advantageous for treating pediatric ependymoma. 3DCRT was compared to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with and without flattening filter. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were compared to evaluate the plan quality and used to calculate the excess absolute risk (EAR) to develop second cancer in the brain. Dose verification was performed with a two-dimensional (2D) ionization chamber array and the out-of-field dose was measured with an ionization chamber to determine the EAR in peripheral organs. Delivery times were measured. Both VMAT and IMRT achieved similar plan quality in terms of dose sparing in the OAR and higher PTV coverage as compared to 3DCRT. Peripheral dose in low-dose region, which is proportional to the EAR in organs located in this region, for example, gonads, bladder, or bowel, could be significantly reduced using FFF. The lowest peripheral EAR and lowest delivery times were hereby achieved with VMATFFF . The EAR calculated based on DVH in the brain could not be reduced using FFF mode. VMATFFF improved the target coverage and homogeneity and kept the dose in the OAR similar compared to 3DCRT. In addition, delivery times were significantly reduced using VMATFFF . Therefore, for radiotherapy of ependymoma patients, VMATFFF may be considered advantageous for the combination of Elekta Synergy linac and Oncentra External Beam planning system used in this study.}, language = {en} } @incollection{Anderson, author = {Anderson, Philip}, title = {Unaccompanied Refugee Children and Adolescents and Access to Vocational Training in Germany - with a Focus on Bavaria (Loyola University)}, series = {Unaccompanied migrant children}, booktitle = {Unaccompanied migrant children}, editor = {Haker, Hille and Greening, Molly}, publisher = {Lexington Books}, address = {Lanham; Boulder; New York}, isbn = {978-1-4985-7454-9}, pages = {63 -- 74}, language = {en} } @article{CurbachLanderDierksetal., author = {Curbach, Janina and Lander, Jonas and Dierks, Marie-Luise and Grepmeier, Eva-Maria and von Sommoggy, Julia}, title = {How do health professionals translate evidence on early childhood allergy prevention into health literacy-responsive practice?}, series = {BMJ OPEN}, volume = {11}, journal = {BMJ OPEN}, publisher = {BMJ}, doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047733}, pages = {1 -- 8}, abstract = {Introduction Paediatricians, general practitioners (GPs) and midwives in primary care are important sources of information for parents on early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP). Research has shown that preventive counselling by health professionals can be effective in improving patients' health literacy (HL) and health behaviour. Providing effective advice relies on two factors. First, health professionals need be up-to-date with research evidence on ECAP, to consider popular misconceptions and fears and to translate this knowledge into clear recommendations for parents (knowledge translation). Second, they need to know and apply counselling techniques and create a practice setting which accommodates parental HL needs (health literacy-responsive care). The objective of this study is to explore and assess how German health professionals take up and translate ECAP evidence into appropriate recommendations for parents, how they consider HL in counselling and practice organisation and what barriers and enablers they find in their performance of HL-responsive ECAP. Methods and analysis The study has a sequential mixed-method design, in two phases. In the first phase, qualitative semi-structured expert interviews will be conducted with health professionals (paediatricians, GPs and midwives) at primary care level and professional policy level. Data collection is ongoing until January 2022. In the second phase, based on the qualitative results, a standardised questionnaire will be developed, and pilot-tested in a wider population of German health professionals. The findings of both phases will be integrated. Ethics and dissemination The study has received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Regensburg (18-1205-101). The results will be published in international peer-reviewed open access journals and via presentations at scientific conferences. The results will also be shared with German health professionals, decision-makers and potential funders of interventions.}, language = {en} } @article{Diamantidis, author = {Diamantidis, Dimitris}, title = {A Critical View on Environmental and Human Risk Acceptance Criteria}, series = {International Journal of Environmental Science and Development}, volume = {8}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Science and Development}, number = {1}, doi = {10.18178/ijesd.2017.8.1.921}, pages = {62 -- 66}, abstract = {Natural and technological hazards have a major impact on environmental and human safety. Risk assessment plays an essential role in the risk management of the effects of such hazards. This contribution summarizes first the general formulation of risk depending on two parameters: hazard probability and associated consequences. Problems faced in industrial applications based on the experience of the author are discussed. Risk acceptance criteria for the contributors to risk i.e. human, economic and environment are critically reviewed. Resilience based criteria are also included and conclusions for future developments are provided.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KampmannMottok, author = {Kampmann, Matthias and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {A 'laboratory' as an approach to foster writing skills at software engineering studies learning software engineering is easier when writing courses are directly dpplied to lecture's content and the problems and examples enrolled in}, series = {2018 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2018, Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, Spanien}, booktitle = {2018 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, EDUCON 2018, Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, Spanien}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON.2018.8363326}, pages = {900 -- 908}, abstract = {Writing, with no doubt, is besides reading a core competency which allows us to "exploit" knowledge in general. It also makes possible the exploration of software engineering's core issues. Especially within this context it is necessary to master the reading of complex texts as well as to be able to write in an appropriate academic expression. With regard to studies in software engineering this seems to be obvious, but in fact the opposite is the reality. Therefore measures to improve these skills seemed to be necessarily applied. At the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH, University of Applied Sciences, Regensburg) a new format, the so called c*lab, was installed during the winter semester 2017. This was a course which followed the principle of "Writing Across the Curriculum" (WAC). Organized parallel to a lecture of learning how to program the language C, and addressing students of the first semester, the course was a complete voluntary offer in addition to the general standard courses and lectures of the faculty. Students who participated not only reflected on C and its principles, nor only on writing as a self purpose, but they also learned to express technical thoughts and ideas by the use of didactic methods. The idea to transfer also basic LTeX concepts to write a paper based on the IEEE bare_conf.tex-template were also planned. The course followed the idea of student's-centred learning. This paper presents the main structure, goals, and means of the c*lab, and the theory behind. It also embeds the course within the horizon of experiences of teaching writing skills at the Laboratory for Safe and Secure Systems (LaS 3 ) at the faculty of electronic and information engineering at the OTH Regensburg. First experiences have shown that participants increase writing skills and their idea of the importance of writing.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HauserReuterGruberetal., author = {Hauser, Florian and Reuter, Rebecca and Gruber, Hans and Mottok, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Research competence: Modification of a questionnaire to measure research competence at universities of applied sciences}, series = {IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 17-20 April 2018, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain}, booktitle = {IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 17-20 April 2018, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON.2018.8363216}, pages = {109 -- 117}, abstract = {This paper deals with the validation and modification of the German questionnaire "F-Komp". In its original version, it was intended to measure university students' research competences. In the beginning of this study, there were only a few tools available which were reliable. For the purposes of this study, they were not suitable. At the same time, there was no validated version of the F-Komp available, which made the whole validation process for further usage necessary. This questionnaire is based on a structure, which consist of different skills and knowledge and is focused on measuring research competence in general. The validation and modification of the F-Komp is therefore the aim of our contribution as well as a revised version of the questionnaire. We proceeded an explorative factor and a reliability analysis to do a general evaluation of the tool. Some modifications were done in the questionnaire to make it more suitable to the requirements of technical oriented universities of applied sciences [5]. Our revised version is slightly longer and contains several items to gather data about the participants demographics. The modified questionnaire is based on a more appropriate factor structure. This structure is more practically oriented and pays attention to ethical issues. In future cases, this questionnaire will be used in research oriented courses to measure students' progress in acquiring the knowledge and methods which are necessary to perform as a scientist in different research areas.}, language = {en} } @article{WiesentSpearNonn, author = {Wiesent, Lisa and Spear, Ashley and Nonn, Aida}, title = {Computational analysis of the effects of geometric irregularities on the interaction of an additively manufactured 316L stainless steel stent and a coronary artery}, series = {Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials}, volume = {125}, journal = {Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {1751-6161}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104878}, abstract = {Customized additively manufactured (laser powder bed fused (L-PBF)) stents could improve the treatment of complex lesions by enhancing stent-artery conformity. However, geometric irregularities inherent for L-PBF stents are expected to influence not only their mechanical behavior but also their interaction with the artery. In this study, the influence of geometrical irregularities on stent-artery interaction is evaluated within a numerical framework. Thus, computed arterial stresses induced by a reconstructed L-PBF stent model are compared to those induced by the intended stent model (also representing a stent geometry obtained from conventional manufacturing processes) and a modified CAD stent model that accounts for the increased strut thickness inherent for L-PBF stents. It was found that, similar to conventionally manufactured stents, arterial stresses are initially related to the basic stent design/topology, with the highest stresses occurring at the indentations of the stent struts. Compared to the stent CAD model, the L-PBF stent induces distinctly higher and more maximum volume stresses within the plaque and the arterial wall. In return, the modified CAD model overestimates the arterial stresses induced by the L-PBF stent due to its homogeneously increased strut thickness and thus its homogeneously increased geometric stiffness compared with the L-PBF stent. Therefore, the L-PBF-induced geometric irregularities must be explicitly considered when evaluating the L-PBF stent-induced stresses because the intended stent CAD model underestimates the arterial stresses, whereas the modified CAD model overestimates them. The arterial stresses induced by the L-PBF stent were still within the range of values reported for conventional stents in literature, suggesting that the use of L-PBF stents is conceivable in principle. However, because geometric irregularities, such as protruding features from the stent surface, could potentially damage the artery or lead to premature stent failure, further improvement of L-PBF stents is essential.}, language = {en} } @article{BrabenecPoborskySassmannshausen, author = {Brabenec, Tomas and Poborsky, Frantisek and Saßmannshausen, Sean Patrick}, title = {The Difference between Preferred \& Common Stocks in Europe from the Market Perspective}, series = {Journal of Competitiveness}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of Competitiveness}, number = {3}, publisher = {Tomas Bata University in Zl{\´i}n}, doi = {10.7441/joc.2020.03.04}, pages = {64 -- 81}, abstract = {Companies listed on the stock market must devote a great deal of attention to their market position. They must increase their competitive advantage in the undeniably key process of the issuance of stocks. As the issuance of preferred stocks has increased after the last crisis and in the current period of low interest rates in Europe, they are becoming more favoured investment instruments, we decided to analyse the real properties of preferred stocks in Europe in order to increase the efficiency of joint-stock companies. Using a dataset comprising all companies having both common and preferred stocks issued and traded on European markets between 2009- 2016, we determined the relationship of risk (measured by beta coefficients) and price volatility among common and preferred stocks and bonds in Europe. Our findings show beta coefficients of preferred stocks as systematically lower than beta coefficients of common stocks. Considering a difference of up to 10\% as negligible, however, preferred stocks showed a similar or higher beta coefficient than corresponding common stocks of the same company in 53\% of cases, whereas for 33\% of cases, the difference is only ±10\%. Coefficients of variation in prices showed a similar relationship, with only a negligible portion of preferred stocks bearing fixed (stable) dividends. This result implies that currently traded preferred stocks in Europe in fact do not possess such characteristics they are typically said to have, and in many cases they incur as comparable a risk as do common stocks. This essential information should help to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of joint-stock companies.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FrikelGoeppelHaltmeier, author = {Frikel, J{\"u}rgen and G{\"o}ppel, Simon and Haltmeier, Markus}, title = {Combining Reconstruction and Edge Detection in Computed Tomography}, series = {Bildverarbeitung f{\"u}r die Medizin 2021 : Proceedings, German Workshop on Medical Image Computing: Regensburg, March 7-9, 2021}, booktitle = {Bildverarbeitung f{\"u}r die Medizin 2021 : Proceedings, German Workshop on Medical Image Computing: Regensburg, March 7-9, 2021}, editor = {Palm, Christoph}, publisher = {Springer Vieweg}, address = {Wiesbaden, Germany}, isbn = {978-3-658-33197-9}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-658-33198-6_37}, pages = {153 -- 157}, abstract = {We present two methods that combine image reconstruction and edge detection in computed tomography (CT) scans. Our first method is as an extension of the prominent filtered backprojection algorithm. In our second method we employ l1-regularization for stable calculation of the gradient. As opposed to the first method, we show that this approach is able to compensate for undersampled CT data.}, language = {en} } @article{LotterBrebantEigenbergeretal., author = {Lotter, Luisa and Brebant, Vanessa and Eigenberger, Andreas and Hartmann, Robin and Mueller, Karolina and Baringer, Magnus and Prantl, Lukas and Schiltz, Daniel}, title = {"Topographic Shift": a new digital approach to evaluating topographic changes of the female breast}, series = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, volume = {303}, journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-020-05837-3}, pages = {515 -- 520}, abstract = {Purpose To assess precise topographic changes of the breast, objective documentation and evaluation of pre- and postoperative results are crucial. New technologies for mapping the body using digital, three-dimensional surface measurements have offered novel ways to numerically assess the female breast. Due to the lack of clear demarcation points of the breast contour, the selection of landmarks on the breast is highly dependent on the examiner, and, therefore, is prone to error when conducting before-after comparisons of the same breast. This study describes an alternative to volumetric measurements, focusing on topographic changes of the female breast, based on three-dimensional scans. Method The study was designed as an interventional prospective study of 10 female volunteers who had planned on having aesthetic breast augmentation with anatomical, textured implants. Three dimensional scans of the breasts were performed intraoperatively, first without and then with breast implants. The topographic change was determined as the mean distance between two three-dimensional layers before and after augmentation. This mean distance is defined as the Topographic Shift. Results The mean implant volume was 283 cc (SD = 68.6 cc, range = 210-395 cc). The mean Topographic Shift was 7.4 mm (SD = 1.9 mm, range = 4.8-10.7 mm). The mean Topographic Shifts per quadrant were: I: 8.0 mm (SD = 3.3 mm); II: 9.2 mm (SD = 3.1 mm); III: 6.9 mm (SD = 3.5 mm); IV: 1.9 mm (SD = 4.3 mm). Conclusion The Topographic Shift, describing the mean distance between two three-dimensional layers (for example before and after a volume changing therapy), is a new approach that can be used for assessing topographic changes of a body area. It was found that anatomical, textured breast implants cause a topographic change, particularly on the upper breast, in quadrant II, the decollete.}, language = {en} } @article{JustHeinrichMaurinetal., author = {Just, Tobias and Heinrich, Michael and Maurin, Mark Andreas and Schreck, Thomas}, title = {Foreclosure discounts for German housing markets}, series = {International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis}, volume = {13}, journal = {International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis}, number = {2}, publisher = {Emerald}, doi = {10.1108/IJHMA-12-2018-0106}, pages = {143 -- 163}, abstract = {Purpose This paper aims to investigate the foreclosure discount for the German residential market in the years from 2008 to 2011. Design/methodology/approach The determinants of the foreclosure discount are estimated in a hedonic price model. The analysis is based on a unique data set compiled from three different data sources with 135,000 foreclosed properties. Findings The findings reveal that residential units in foreclosures are sold at a discount of 19 per cent compared to residential units with similar characteristics that are not in foreclosure. Second, a regional pattern can be observed, with discounts being negatively correlated to unemployment risk and liquidity. Third, the model with interaction terms shows that foreclosure discounts are linked to specific property characteristics. Fourth, these object-related risks are typically smaller than regional risks or locational risks. Research limitations/implications Given the highly fragmented system of Gutachterausschusse in Germany, who are responsible for collecting transaction data, we were not able to directly analyze transaction data, but only a proxy for this price information. Practical implications The results can be important for financial institutions that are trying to assess the risk of lending for a specific object in a specific location. So far, banks primarily try to assess the default risk of private lenders by analyzing the debtor's financial position and the quality of the property. The analysis provides insights into which characteristics of a property might imply additional risk, and in which region these risks are biggest. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt to analyze the foreclosure discount for the German housing market.}, language = {en} } @article{KoenigGuertler, author = {Koenig, Eric and Guertler, Katherine}, title = {One Size Does Not Fit All: Individuality and Perceptions of Improvement and Satisfaction Among TE Students}, series = {English Teaching \& Learning}, volume = {45}, journal = {English Teaching \& Learning}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1007/s42321-021-00076-4}, pages = {303 -- 324}, abstract = {Academic self-regulation is a key factor for motivation and learning achievement. Yet with the large range of individual factors, this is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. This study of L2 Technical English students at two German universities explored learners' expectations and motivations, in particular regarding self-regulation and self-efficacy via the individual's time investment in self-led study. In an initial survey, learners (N=1646) reported on their English skill levels and anticipated learning habits. Complementarily, the retrospective survey investigated learners' (N=796) actual behavior during the course, their perceptions of language skill improvement, and their satisfaction. The initial survey indicates a clear understanding that time investment in self-regulated study will lead to greater improvement, an outcome confirmed in the retrospective survey. Additionally, students who invested more time in their coursework were more satisfied with their achievement, although most learners acknowledge they should have studied more. The results verify that learners recognize the nexus between self-regulation and language skill improvement, yet university students are not satisfied with their capacity to self-regulate their language learning strategies. While differences in students' skill levels and academic self-efficacy result in divergent degrees of progress, students of all types report benefits to their language skills when motivated to self-regulated study.}, language = {en} } @article{ZucchiFrancoSchrecketal., author = {Zucchi, Jose William and Franco, Estefania Aparecida Thome and Schreck, Thomas and Castro Silva, Maria Helena and Migliorini, Sandro Rog{\´e}rio dos Santos and Garcia, T. and Mota, G. A. F. and de Morais, Bruna Evelyn Bueno and Machado, L. H. S. and Batista, A. N. R. and de Pavia, Sergio and de Godoy, I. and Tanni, Suzana}, title = {Different Clusters in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)}, series = {International Journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease}, volume = {15}, journal = {International Journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease}, publisher = {Dove Medical Press}, doi = {10.2147/COPD.S268332}, pages = {2847 -- 2856}, abstract = {Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a functional definition. However, differences in clinical characteristics and systemic manifestations make COPD a heterogeneous disease and some manifestations have been associated with different risks of acute exacerbations, hospitalizations, and death. Objective: Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate possible clinical clusters in COPD at two study centers in Brazil and identify the associated exacerbation and mortality rate during 1 year of follow-up. Methods: We included patients with COPD and all underwent an evaluation composed of the Charlson Index, body mass index (BMI), current pharmacological treatment, smoking history (packs-year), history of exacerbations/hospitalizations in the last year, spirometry, six-minute walking test (6MWT), quality of life questionnaires, dyspnea, and hospital anxiety and depression scale. Blood samples were also collected for measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP), blood gases, laboratory analysis, and blood count. For the construction of the clusters, 13 continuous variables of clinical importance were considered: hematocrit, CRP, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, absolute number of peripheral eosinophils, age, pulse oximetry, BMI, forced expiratory volume in the first second, dyspnea, 6MWD, total score of the Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire and packs-year of smoking. We used the Ward and K-means methods and determined the best silhouette value to identify similarities of individuals within the cluster (cohesion) in relation to the other clusters (separation). The number of clusters was determined by the heterogeneity values of the cluster, which in this case was determined as four clusters. Results: We evaluated 301 COPD patients and identified four different groups of COPD patients. The first cluster (203 patients) was characterized by fewer symptoms and lower functional severity of the disease, the second cluster by higher values of peripheral eosinophils, the third cluster by more systemic inflammation and the fourth cluster by greater obstructive severity and worse gas exchange. Cluster 2 had an average of 959 3 peripheral eosinophils, cluster 3 had a higher prevalence of nutritional depletion (46.1\%), and cluster 4 had a higher BODE index. Regarding the associated comorbidities, we found that only obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and pulmonary thromboembolism were more prevalent in cluster 4. Almost 50\% of all patients presented an exacerbation during 1 year of follow-up. However, it was higher in cluster 4, with 65\% of all patients having at least one exacerbation. The mortality rate was statistically higher in cluster 4, with 26.9\%, vs 9.6\% in cluster 1. Conclusion: We could identify four clinical different clusters in these COPD populations, that were related to different clinical manifestations, comorbidities, exacerbation, and mortality rate. We also identified a specific cluster with higher values of peripheral eosinophils.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{NiemetzFuhrmannFarmbauer, author = {Niemetz, Michael and Fuhrmann, Thomas and Farmbauer, Michael}, title = {Comprehensive Amateur Radio Education including Public Outreach}, series = {IEEE Integrated STEM Education Conference (ISEC), 16-16 March 2019, Princeton, NJ, USA}, booktitle = {IEEE Integrated STEM Education Conference (ISEC), 16-16 March 2019, Princeton, NJ, USA}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/ISECon.2019.8882078}, pages = {98 -- 103}, abstract = {An amateur radio lecture was developed and is conducted within the general education program of the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg. This course enables the students to participate in a variety of activities within the university. Different learning formats for communication engineering are carried out in combination with an amateur radio station of the university. Additionally, some of the projects serve as anchor points for increased visibility of the university in local society, e.g. by carrying out public events in connection with the local amateur radio community. It is seen that this course together with the amateur radio station have several positive effects for technical education and university visibility.}, language = {en} } @article{LiStockSchlamminger, author = {Li, Shisong and Stock, Michael and Schlamminger, Stephan}, title = {A new magnet design for future Kibble balances}, series = {Metrologia}, volume = {55}, journal = {Metrologia}, number = {3}, publisher = {IOP PUBLISHING}, doi = {10.1088/1681-7575/aab2ea}, pages = {319 -- 325}, abstract = {We propose a new permanent magnet system for Kibble balance experiments, which combines advantages of the magnet designs invented by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The goal of the proposed magnet system is to minimize the coil-current effect and to optimize the shielding at the same time. In the proposed design, a permanent magnet system with two gaps, each housing a coil, is employed to minimize the coil current effect, by reducing the linear coil-current dependence reported for the single air gap design by at least one order of magnitude. Both air gaps of the magnet are completely surrounded by high-permeability material, and hence the coils are shielded from outside magnetic fields and no magnetic field leaks outside of the magnet system. An example of the new magnet system is given and the analysis shows that the magnetic field in the air gap can be optimized to meet the requirement to be used in Kibble balances.}, language = {en} } @article{Klemperer, author = {Klemperer, David}, title = {Choosing wisely in Germany - adapting an international initiative to a national healthcare agenda}, series = {European Psychiatry}, volume = {33}, journal = {European Psychiatry}, number = {Issue S1: Abstracts of the 24th European Congress of Psychiatry}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.783}, pages = {S5}, abstract = {Overuse and underuse in healthcare is a chronic problem in most healthcare systems. Inspired by the North American Choosing Wisely Initiative, the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF), which actually counts 173 member organisations, decided to address the problem. The aim of the German "Gemeinsam klug entscheiden" (deciding together wisely)-initiative is to reduce overuse, underuse and misuse of health interventions in areas where recommendations of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are not adequately implemented or missing. Starting point are the positive and negative recommendations of the CPGs, which the AWMF-member societies have developed for more than 20 years, following the manual and rules set up by AWMF. To identify and select recommendations methodological criteria have been developed by a working group in a consensus-based process. The development of AWMF-CPGs follows a methodology that aims to ensure the full integration of evidence, an interdisciplinary and interprofessional perspective, the prevention of bias as a consequence of conflicts of interest and full transparency of the development process.}, language = {en} } @article{CheeKammlerGrahametal., author = {Chee, See Wee and Kammler, Martin and Graham, Jeremy and Gignac, Lynne and Reuter, Mark C. and Hull, Robert and Ross, Frances M.}, title = {Directed Self-Assembly of Ge Quantum Dots Using Focused Si2+ Ion Beam Patterning}, series = {scientific reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-27512-z}, pages = {1 -- 10}, abstract = {We show that templating a Si surface with a focused beam of Si2+ or Si+ ions can create suitable nucleation sites for the subsequent growth of self-assembled Ge quantum dots by chemical vapor deposition. To determine the mechanism of patterning we use atomic force microscopy to show that, similar to Ga+ patterning, the formation of a surface pit is required to enable control over Ge quantum dot locations. We find that relatively high implantation doses are required to achieve patterning, and these doses lead to amorphization of the substrate. We assess the degree to which the substrate crystallinity can be recovered by subsequent processing. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy heating experiments we find that recrystallization is possible at the growth temperature of the Ge quantum dots, but defects remain that follow the pattern of the initial implantation. We discuss the formation mechanism of the defects and the benefits of using Si ions for patterning both defects and quantum dots on Si substrates.}, language = {en} } @article{ChatterjeeKobylinskiBasu, author = {Chatterjee, Subhomoy and Kobylinski, Sabine and Basu, Bikramjit}, title = {Finite Element Analysis to Probe the Influence of Acetabular Shell Design, Liner Material, and Subject Parameters on Biomechanical Response in Periprosthetic Bone}, series = {Journal of Biomechanical Engineering}, volume = {140}, journal = {Journal of Biomechanical Engineering}, number = {10}, publisher = {ASME}, issn = {1528-8951}, doi = {10.1115/1.4040249}, abstract = {The implant stability and biomechanical response of periprosthetic bone in acetabulum around total hip joint replacement (THR) devices depend on a host of parameters, including design of articulating materials, gait cycle and subject parameters. In this study, the impact of shell design (conventional, finned, spiked, and combined design) and liner material on the biomechanical response of periprosthetic bone has been analyzed using finite element (FE) method. Two different liner materials: high density polyethylene-20\% hydroxyapatite-20\% alumina (HDPE-20\%HA-20\%Al2O3) and highly cross-linked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HC-UHMWPE) were used. The subject parameters included bone condition and bodyweight. Physiologically relevant load cases of a gait cycle were considered. The deviation of mechanical condition of the periprosthetic bone due to implantation was least for the finned shell design. No significant deviation was observed at the bone region adjacent to the spikes and the fins. This study recommends the use of the finned design, particularly for weaker bone conditions. For stronger bones, the combined design may also be recommended for higher stability. The use of HC-UHMWPE liner was found to be better for convensional shell design. However, similar biomechanical response was captured in our FE analysis for both the liner materials in case of other shell designs. Overall, the study establishes the biomechanical response of periprosthetic bone in the acetabular with preclinically tested liner materials together with new shell design for different subject conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{deCamposSilvaBaimaRibeirodeBarrosetal., author = {de Campos Silva, Elen Farinelli and Baima, Julio Pinheiro and Ribeiro de Barros, Jaqueline and Tanni, Suzana and Schreck, Thomas and Saad-Hossne, Rogerio and Sassaki, Ligia Yukie}, title = {Risk factors for ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer A retrospective cohort study}, series = {Medicine}, volume = {99}, journal = {Medicine}, number = {32}, publisher = {Lippincott}, doi = {10.1097/MD.0000000000021686}, pages = {1 -- 6}, abstract = {Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The study aims to identify the risk factors for ulcerative colitis-colorectal cancer and to perform a survival curve analysis of the outcome. This retrospective cohort study included 254 patients from March 2016 to October 2017. Age, age at diagnosis, follow-up time, smoking status, and family history of colorectal cancer were analyzed as risk factors for colorectal cancer. The mean patient age was 46.6 +/- 16.9 years; 5.5\% of the patients were smokers and 49.6\% had pancolitis. Six patients (2.36\%) had colorectal cancer, which was associated with age at diagnosis (odds/hazard ratio 1.059 [95\% confidence interval: 1.001-1.121];P = .04), family history of colorectal cancer (12.992 [1.611-104.7];P = .02), and follow-up time (0.665 [0.513-0.864];P = .002). Active smoking was the main identified risk factor, after both logistic (8.477 [1.350-53.232];P = .02) and Cox proportional-hazards (32.484 [2.465-428.1];P = .008) regression analysis. The risk of colorectal cancer was 3.17\% at 10 years and 4.26\% at 20 years of follow-up. Active smoking and family history were identified as risk factors for colorectal cancer. These findings should aid the early identification of patients who require vigorous surveillance, and prevent exposure to risk factors.}, language = {en} } @article{Scherzinger, author = {Scherzinger, Stefanie}, title = {Build your own SQL-on-Hadoop Query Engine A Report on a Term Project in a Master-level Database Course}, series = {ACM SIGMOD Record}, volume = {48}, journal = {ACM SIGMOD Record}, number = {2}, publisher = {ACM}, doi = {10.1145/3377330.3377336}, pages = {33 -- 38}, abstract = {This is a report on a course taught at OTH Regensburg in the summer term of 2018. The students in this course built their own SQL-on-Hadoop engine as a term project in just 8 weeks. miniHive is written in Python and compiles SQL queries into MapReduce workflows. These are then executed on Hadoop. miniHive performs generic query optimizations (selection and projection pushdown, or cost-based join reordering), as well as MapReduce-specific optimizations. The course was taught in English, using a flipped classroom model. The course material was mainly compiled from third-party teaching videos. This report describes the course setup, the miniHive milestones, and gives a short review of the most successful student projects.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KoehlerRoesel, author = {K{\"o}hler, Thomas and R{\"o}sel, Birgit}, title = {Experiences with a new Digitalized Concept for Teaching Control Theory as Minor Subject at a University of Applied Science}, series = {2019 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 8-11 April 2019, Dubai, United Arab Emirates}, booktitle = {2019 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), 8-11 April 2019, Dubai, United Arab Emirates}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON.2019.8725217}, pages = {593 -- 600}, abstract = {This paper presents experiences with a digitalized concept for teaching control theory as minor subject with an integrated approach for lectures, exercises and practical sessions in the department of electrical engineering at the OTH Regensburg. The concept uses activating methods like blended learning and possibilities of digitalization of teaching implementing Just in Time Teaching and Peer Instruction. The basis for the new concept is the idea of constructive alignment. Furthermore this paper presents feedback from the students along with an accompanying scientific research over several semesters focusing on the development over past semesters.}, language = {en} } @article{AfonsoRosaPereiraetal., author = {Afonso, Luis Claudio Sugi and Rosa, Gustavo H. and Pereira, Clayton R. and Weber, Silke A. T. and Hook, Christian and Albuquerque, Victor Hugo C. and Papa, Joao Paulo}, title = {A recurrence plot-based approach for Parkinson's disease identification}, series = {Future generation computer systems - The international journal of escience}, volume = {94}, journal = {Future generation computer systems - The international journal of escience}, number = {May}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.future.2018.11.054}, pages = {282 -- 292}, abstract = {Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people worldwide, causing mental and mainly motor dysfunctions. The negative impact on the patient's daily routine has moved the science in search of new techniques that can reduce its negative effects and also identify the disease in individuals. One of the main motor characteristics of PD is the hand tremor faced by patients, which turns out to be a crucial information to be used towards a computer-aided diagnosis. In this context, we make use of handwriting dynamics data acquired from individuals when submitted to some tasks that measure abilities related to writing skills. This work proposes the application of recurrence plots to map the signals onto the image domain, which are further used to feed a Convolutional Neural Network for learning proper information that can help the automatic identification of PD. The proposed approach was assessed in a public dataset under several scenarios that comprise different combinations of deep-based architectures, image resolutions, and training set sizes. Experimental results showed significant accuracy improvement compared to our previous work with an average accuracy of over 87\%. Moreover, it was observed an improvement in accuracy concerning the classification of patients (i.e., mean recognition rates above to 90\%). The promising results showed the potential of the proposed approach towards the automatic identification of Parkinson's disease.}, language = {en} } @article{BaldwinHartlTschaikowskyetal., author = {Baldwin, Andrew and Hartl, Maximilian and Tschaikowsky, Mathaeus and Balzer, Bizan N. and Booth, Brian W.}, title = {Degradation and release of tannic acid from an injectable tissue regeneration bead matrix in vivo}, series = {Journal of biomedical materials research, part B - Applied Biomaterials}, volume = {110}, journal = {Journal of biomedical materials research, part B - Applied Biomaterials}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {1552-4981}, doi = {10.1002/jbm.b.34990}, pages = {1165 -- 1177}, abstract = {The development of multifunctional biomaterials as both tissue regeneration and drug delivery devices is currently a major focus in biomedical research. Tannic Acid (TA), a naturally occurring plant polyphenol, displays unique medicinal abilities as an antioxidant, an antibiotic, and as an anticancer agent. TA has applications in biomaterials acting as a crosslinker in polymer hydrogels improving thermal stability and mechanical properties. We have developed injectable cell seeded collagen beads crosslinked with TA for breast reconstruction and anticancer activity following lumpectomy. This study determined the longevity of the bead implants by establishing a degradation time line and TA release profile in vivo. Beads crosslinked with 0.1\% TA and 1\% TA were compared to observe the differences in TA concentration on degradation and release. We found collagen/TA beads degrade at similar rates in vivo, yet are resistant to complete degradation after 16 weeks. TA is released over time in vivo through diffusion and cellular activity. Changes in mechanical properties in collagen/TA beads before implantation to after 8 weeks in vivo also indicate loss of TA over a longer period of time. Elastic moduli decreased uniformly in both 0.1\% and 1\% TA beads. This study establishes that collagen/TA materials can act as a drug delivery system, rapidly releasing TA within the first week following implantation. However, the beads retain TA long term allowing them to resist degradation and remain in situ acting as a cell scaffold and tissue filler. This confirms its potential use as an anticancer and minimally invasive breast reconstructive device following lumpectomy.}, language = {en} } @article{PereiraPereiraWeberetal., author = {Pereira, Clayton R. and Pereira, Danilo R. and Weber, Silke A. T. and Hook, Christian}, title = {A survey on computer-assisted Parkinson's Disease diagnosis}, series = {Artificial intelligence in medicine}, volume = {95}, journal = {Artificial intelligence in medicine}, number = {April}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.artmed.2018.08.007}, pages = {48 -- 63}, abstract = {Background and objective: In this work, we present a systematic review concerning the recent enabling technologies as a tool to the diagnosis, treatment and better quality of life of patients diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), as well as an analysis of future trends on new approaches to this end. Methods: In this review, we compile a number of works published at some well-established databases, such as Science Direct, IEEEXplore, PubMed, Plos One, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Springer and Hindawi Publishing Corporation. Each selected work has been carefully analyzed in order to identify its objective, methodology and results. Results: The review showed the majority of works make use of signal-based data, which are often acquired by means of sensors. Also, we have observed the increasing number of works that employ virtual reality and e-health monitoring systems to increase the life quality of PD patients. Despite the different approaches found in the literature, almost all of them make use of some sort of machine learning mechanism to aid the automatic PD diagnosis. Conclusions: The main focus of this survey is to consider computer-assisted diagnosis, and how effective they can be when handling the problem of PD identification. Also, the main contribution of this review is to consider very recent works only, mainly from 2015 and 2016.}, language = {en} } @article{MichalkSchoettkerKoenigerProbstetal., author = {Michalk, Katrin and Schoettker-Koeniger, Thomas and Probst, Annette and Luedtke, Kerstin}, title = {Development of a Consensus about Important Outcomes in Physiotherapy for Neck Pain - A Delphi Study}, series = {physioscience}, volume = {16}, journal = {physioscience}, number = {03}, publisher = {Thieme}, doi = {10.1055/a-1110-2096}, pages = {111 -- 120}, abstract = {Background Neck pain is a frequent reason to seek physiotherapy treatment. Evaluating the results of the treatment is often not routine practice. A core outcome set (COS) for physiotherapists is currently lacking. Objective To develop a consensus on important outcome domains that should be used by physiotherapists to measure the outcomes of patients with nonspecific neck pain. Method Initially a systematic research was carried out to identify outcome domains. Subsequently in a Delphi survey physiotherapists and patients rated the importance of outcome domains using a 9-point rating scale in round 1 and then re-rated outcomes in round 2 and 3 after reviewing other respondents' suggestions. For each outcome measure, central tendency and measures of dispersion were calculated. Results 62 physiotherapists and nine patients participated in the first round of the Delphi survey. Further Delphi rounds with the patients were stopped due to the low number of participants. Patients considered "range of motion of the cervical spine in different directions of movement" and "health-related quality of life" as important outcomes. 50 (81\%) and 37 (74\%) physiotherapists completed the second and third round of the Delphi survey. The outcome domains that met the inclusion criteria for the consensus were "problems with everyday activities due to the neck pain" and "ability to self-management/self-responsible handling with the neck pain". Conclusion A first consensus was reached on important outcome domains from the physiotherapist's point of view. For the development of a COS future research is required e.g. to confirm the outcome domains and to include the patient's point of view.}, language = {en} } @article{RoggeBaurBlettneretal., author = {Rogge, Alize A. and Baur, Isabel and Blettner, Gabriele and Holtkamp, Ulrike and Horneber, Markus and Jahn, Patrick and Joos, Stefanie and Keberle, Silva and Kettelgerdes, Anita and Klemperer, David and Laengler, Alfred and Voiss, Petra and Weis, Joachim and Witt, Claudia M.}, title = {Defining Criteria for Guiding Cancer Patients to Find a Reputable Complementary Medicine Provider}, series = {Patient Preference and Adherence}, volume = {14}, journal = {Patient Preference and Adherence}, publisher = {DOVE MEDICAL PRESS}, doi = {10.2147/PPA.S230705}, pages = {747 -- 755}, abstract = {Purpose: Even in cases of positive evidence for complementary medicine (CM) therapies, it is still difficult for cancer patients to identify reputable providers. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a criteria list to provide guidance to cancer patients seeking a reputable CM provider. Methods: The design combined a literature review, an expert consensus procedure (n=15) and an assessment from three stakeholder perspectives (patients (n=18), CM providers (n=26) and oncology physicians (n=20)). Results: A total of 30 existing CM criteria were extracted from the literature, and 12 more were added by the experts. The main challenge was to define criteria that could easily be applied by the patients. A final comprehensive list of 8 criteria guiding cancer patients to find a reputable CM provider was developed. Conclusion: Health professionals and cancer information services might find the criteria list helpful when aiming to strengthen patients' awareness of quality-related factors associated with CM providers. The criteria developed might be helpful when standards are established for quality assurance in CM in oncology.}, language = {en} } @article{PrantlEigenbergerGehmertetal., author = {Prantl, Lukas and Eigenberger, Andreas and Gehmert, Sebastian and Haerteis, Silke and Aung, Thiha and Rachel, Reinhard and Jung, Ernst Michael and Felthaus, Oliver}, title = {Enhanced Resorption of Liposomal Packed Vitamin C Monitored by Ultrasound}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {9}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, doi = {10.3390/jcm9061616}, pages = {1 -- 12}, abstract = {Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for humans and is involved in a plethora of health-related functions. Several studies have shown a connection between vitamin C intake and an improved resistance to infections that involves the immune system. However, the body cannot store vitamin C and both the elevated oral intake, and the intravenous application have certain disadvantages. In this study, we wanted to show a new formulation for the liposomal packaging of vitamin C. Using freeze etching electron microscopy, we show the formed liposomes. With a novel approach of post-processing procedures of real-time sonography that combines enhancement effects by contrast-like ultrasound with a transducer, we wanted to demonstrate the elevated intestinal vitamin C resorption on four participants. With the method presented in this study, it is possible to make use of the liposomal packaging of vitamin C with simple household materials and equipment for intake elevation. For the first time, we show the enhanced resorption of ingested liposomes using microbubble enhanced ultrasound imaging.}, language = {en} } @article{AfonsoPereiraWeberetal., author = {Afonso, Luis Claudio Sugi and Pereira, Clayton R. and Weber, Silke A. T. and Hook, Christian and Falc{\~a}o, Alexandre X. and Papa, Joao Paulo}, title = {Hierarchical learning using deep optimum-path forest}, series = {Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation}, volume = {71}, journal = {Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation}, number = {August}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.jvcir.2020.102823}, abstract = {Bag-of-Visual Words (BoVW) and deep learning techniques have been widely used in several domains, which include computer-assisted medical diagnoses. In this work, we are interested in developing tools for the automatic identification of Parkinson's disease using machine learning and the concept of BoVW. The proposed approach concerns a hierarchical-based learning technique to design visual dictionaries through the Deep Optimum-Path Forest classifier. The proposed method was evaluated in six datasets derived from data collected from individuals when performing handwriting exams. Experimental results showed the potential of the technique, with robust achievements.}, language = {en} } @article{KochStollKlempereretal., author = {Koch, Cora and Stoll, Marlene and Klemperer, David and Lieb, Klaus}, title = {Transparency of Conflicts of Interest: A Mixed Blessing? The Patients' Perspective}, series = {American Journal of Bioethics}, volume = {17}, journal = {American Journal of Bioethics}, number = {6}, publisher = {ROUTLEDGETAYLOR \& FRANCIS}, doi = {10.1080/15265161.2017.1313338}, pages = {27 -- 29}, language = {en} } @article{JustusSassmannshausenFaltermeier, author = {Justus, Xenia and Saßmannshausen, Sean Patrick and Faltermeier, Johann Fabian}, title = {Promoting cross-border entrepreneurial competence}, series = {Littera Scripta}, volume = {11}, journal = {Littera Scripta}, number = {1}, pages = {54 -- 68}, abstract = {As a result of increasing globalisation, universities are being confronted by the challenge of adapting their teaching standards to meet the demands of a more dynamic labour market. Entrepreneurship education provides an important contribution to improving students' entrepreneurial competencies and stimulating innovative work behaviour. Based on the current state of research, as well as on the results of an empirical comparative study at partner institutions of applied sciences, this article describes how the internationalisation of curricula with regards to the academic teaching of entrepreneurship and the promotion of entrepreneurial competence can be structured. An online survey of students carried out within the framework of an EU project, as well as joint class observations, revealed some important differences in study-related matters, which emphasises the need for stronger cooperation in terms of cross-border employability. With regards to the promotion of entrepreneurial thinking and behaviour, it appears appropriate to intensify the use of case-based instructional designs within teaching standards, to extend the supportive offers to students and to enable engagement with entrepreneurship in various courses of studies.}, language = {en} } @article{Anderson, author = {Anderson, Philip}, title = {Vocational Training and Therapeutic Care of Young Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Germany}, series = {Rajagiri Journal of Social Development}, volume = {8}, journal = {Rajagiri Journal of Social Development}, number = {2}, publisher = {OJS/PKP}, pages = {111 -- 128}, abstract = {Against the background of the huge rise in the number of asylum seekers and refugees absorbed into German society over the last couple of years this article examines the innovative Bavarian programme of preparatory classes for asylum seekers between 16 and 21 years of age. The challenges faced by educational and social work professionals working with this target group are documented alongside the particular resources which these highly-motivated young people as a rule bring with them. Specific requirements for psychotherapy professionals are addressed as well as a range of recommendations formulated by the author to enable the longer-term success of this vocational training programme in integrating these young people into the German educational and employment system. It has become apparent that a holistic approach to the lives of the target group by professionals in education, social work and therapy is necessary to enable young asylums seekers to complete vocational training successfully. Transitional management is a key part of the process of setting asylum seekers on the path to an apprenticeship. Coordination with the Labour Office, local authority administration and local decision-makers are further parts of the equation. This must intermesh with civil society engagement to provide the maximum use of resources giving young refugees access to training, the labour market  and long term integration into German life.}, language = {en} } @article{SinghTerzidis, author = {Singh, Max Diamond and Terzidis, O.}, title = {Introducing Innovation Phase Transition}, series = {International Journal of Innovation Science}, volume = {7}, journal = {International Journal of Innovation Science}, number = {4}, publisher = {Emerald}, issn = {1757-2223}, doi = {10.1108/IJIS-07-04-2015-B003}, pages = {249 -- 262}, abstract = {Innovation diffusion points toward how innovations spread into the market after launch. This paper investigates diffusion dynamics at market entry time and proposes a new evolution pattern at the intersection between inventions and innovations. With this in mind, we initially prove that patent filings correlate with new product introductions in the U.S. spine market. Then we test our new theory supposing that certain patent filing threshold numbers accelerate strong economic returns in terms of innovations. We find that firms hitting certain patent filing thresholds significantly increase their product launches in the mentioned market. Moreover, the results seem to indicate that economic returns of inventions may be measured substantially. Thus, this paper suggests a new research area by utilizing our proposed concept about an Innovation Outcome Trigger Value (IOTV). Furthermore, the implications may also be interesting for practitioners, since we empirically prove that inventive activities turn out to be worthwhile, indeed.}, language = {en} } @article{HahlwegBieberBruettetal., author = {Hahlweg, Pola and Bieber, Christiane and Br{\"u}tt, Anna Levke and Dierks, Marie-Luise and Dirmaier, J{\"o}rg and Donner-Banzhoff, Norbert and Eich, Wolfgang and Geiger, Friedemann and Klemperer, David and Koch, Klaus and K{\"o}rner, Mirjam and M{\"u}ller, Hardy and Scholl, Isabelle and H{\"a}rter, Martin}, title = {Moving towards patient-centered care and shared decision-making in Germany}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualit{\"a}t im Gesundheitswesen}, volume = {171}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualit{\"a}t im Gesundheitswesen}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {1865-9217}, doi = {10.1016/j.zefq.2022.04.001}, pages = {49 -- 57}, abstract = {The main focus of this paper is to describe the development and current state of policy, research and implementation of patient-centered care (PCC) and shared decision-making (SDM) in Germany. What is the current state in health policy? Since 2013, the Law on Patients' Rights has standardized all rights and responsibilities regarding medical care for patients in Germany. This comprises the right to informed decisions, comprehensive and comprehensible information, and decisions based on a clinician-patient partnership. In addition, reports and action plans such as the German Ethics Council's report on patient well-being, the National Health Literacy Action Plan, or the National Cancer Plan emphasize and foster PCC and SDM on a policy level. There are a number of public organizations in Germany that support PCC and SDM. How are patients and the public involved in health policy and research? Publishers and funding agencies increasingly demand patient and public involvement. Numerous initiatives and organizations are involved in publicizing ways to engage patients and the public. Also, an increasing number of public and research institutions have established patient advisory boards. How is PCC and SDM taught? Great progress has been made in introducing SDM into the curricula of medical schools and other health care providers' (HCPs) schools (e.g., nursing, physical therapy). What is the German research agenda? The German government and other public institutions have constantly funded research programs in which PCC and SDM are important topics. This yielded several large-scale funding initiatives and helped to develop SDM training programs for HCPs in different fields of health care and information materials. Recently, two implementation studies on SDM have been conducted. What is the current uptake of PCC and SDM in routine care, and what implementation efforts are underway? Compared to the last country report from 2017, PCC and SDM efforts in policy, research and education have been intensified. However, many steps are still needed to reliably implement SDM in routine care in Germany. Specifically, the further development and uptake of decision tools and countrywide SDM trainings for HCPs require further efforts. Nevertheless, an increasing number of decision support tools - primarily with support from health insurance funds and other public agencies - are to be implemented in routine care. Also, recent implementation efforts are promising. For example, reimbursement by health insurance companies of hospital-wide SDM implementation is being piloted. A necessary next step is to nationally coordinate the gathering and provision of the many PCC and SDM resources available.}, subject = {Patientenorientierte Krankenpflege}, language = {en} } @article{WestnerKratzerDrechsleretal., author = {Westner, Markus and Kratzer, Simon and Drechsler, Andreas and Strahringer, Susanne}, title = {The Fractional CIO in SMEs: conceptualization and research agenda}, series = {Information Systems and e-Business Management}, volume = {20}, journal = {Information Systems and e-Business Management}, publisher = {Springer}, doi = {10.1007/s10257-022-00557-4}, pages = {581 -- 611}, abstract = {We conceptualize the new phenomenon of the Fractional Chief InformationOfficer (CIO) as a part-time executive who usually works for more than one pri-marily small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) and develop promising avenuesfor future research on Fractional CIOs. We conduct an empirical study by drawingon semi-structured interviews with 40 individuals from 10 different countries whooccupy a Fractional CIO role. We derive a definition for the Fractional CIO, dis-tinguish it from other forms of employment, and compare it with existing researchon CIO roles. Further, we find four salient engagement types of Fractional CIOsoffering value for SMEs in various situations: Strategic IT management, Restruc-turing, Rapid scaling, and Hands-on support. The results reveal similarities withexisting CIO roles as well as novel insights concerning the different engagementtypes. Lastly, we propose a research agenda for the Fractional CIO field, based onfour research themes derived from existing CIO research and insights from theinterviews.}, language = {en} } @article{HeineEigenbergerBrebantetal., author = {Heine, Norbert and Eigenberger, Andreas and Brebant, Vanessa and Hoesl, Vanessa and Brix, Eva and Prantl, Lukas and Kempa, Sally}, title = {Comparison of skin sensitivity following breast reconstruction with three different techniques: Autologous fat grafting, DIEP flap and expander/implant}, series = {Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation}, volume = {80}, journal = {Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation}, number = {4}, publisher = {IOS Press}, issn = {1875-8622}, doi = {10.3233/ch-219203}, pages = {389 -- 397}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has been established over the past two decades as an additive technique during and after breast reconstruction. Complete reconstruction of the breast mound with AFG alone represents an exceptional technique that has been published mostly in case reports or in studies with limited cases.The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of three different techniques for breast reconstruction on the recovery of skin sensitivity at the reconstructed breast. METHODS: The study included 30 patients after mastectomy following breast cancer. Three groups were examined: A) breast reconstruction by autologous fat grafting (AFG), B) breast reconstruction by deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) and C) breast reconstruction by expander/implant (TE).Biometric data were compared; sensitivity tests were performed using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.The non-operated, healthy contralateral breasts of the patients were used as a reference. RESULTS: While the traditional reconstruction techniques by microsurgical anastomosed perforator flap or expander/implant showed a strongly decreased or completely missing sensitivity of the skin, the tests after reconstruction by AFG represented high values of sensory recovery, which came close to the reference group of non-operated breasts. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare skin sensitivity after AFG-based reconstruction to established techniques for breast reconstruction. We could demonstrate in a limited group of patients, that breast reconstruction by autologous fat grafting can achieve higher values of skin sensitivity compared to traditional techniques.}, subject = {Mammoplastik}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WickLindnerZimmeretal., author = {Wick, Michael and Lindner, Gerhard and Zimmer, Katja and Schreiner, Rupert and Fuhrmann, Thomas and Seebauer, Gudrun and Xu, Boqing and Zheng, Jihong and Wang, Ning}, title = {German-Chinese cooperative Bachelor in engineering physics/optoelectronics}, series = {14th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2017; Hangzhou, China 29.05.2017 - 31.05.2017}, booktitle = {14th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2017; Hangzhou, China 29.05.2017 - 31.05.2017}, editor = {Liu, Xu and Zhang, Xi-Cheng}, publisher = {SPIE}, isbn = {9781510613812}, doi = {10.1117/12.2269943}, abstract = {The University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), the Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts (CUASA) and the OTH Regensburg, University of Applied Sciences (OTHR) established an English taught international cooperative bachelor program in the area of Engineering Physics/Optoelectronics. Students from China study their first four semesters at USST. They continue their studies in Germany for the last three semesters, including an internship and a bachelor thesis, graduating with a Chinese and a German bachelor degree. Students from Germany study their third and fourth semester at USST to gain international experience. While the first cohort of Chinese students is currently in Germany, the second cohort of German students is in Shanghai. Up to now the feedback regarding this study program is completely positive, thus it is planned to develop it further.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GerlachSchloesslerSteinbucketal., author = {Gerlach, Navina and Schl{\"o}ßler, Kathrin and Steinbuck, Joana and Bleek, Julian and G{\"u}nster, Christian and Marschall, Ursula and Schneider, Udo and Horenkamp-Sonntag, Dirk and Sundmacher, Leonie and K{\"o}nig, Hans-Helmut and Zeymer, Uwe and Schneider, Steffen and Werdan, Karl and Weber, Michael and Sch{\"a}fer, Corinna and Klemperer, David and Kopp, Ina and Nothacker, Monika and Donner-Banzhoff, Norbert}, title = {104 Reducing unwarranted variations in frequency of coronary angiographies in germany by describing, understanding and modifying local practice}, series = {BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, Poster and conversation presentations : Preventing Overdiagnosis, Abstracts, August 2018, Copenhagen}, booktitle = {BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, Poster and conversation presentations : Preventing Overdiagnosis, Abstracts, August 2018, Copenhagen}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, doi = {10.1136/bmjebm-2018-111070.104}, abstract = {Objectives Germany has one of the highest numbers of coronary angiography worldwide. Nevertheless, we find a great variation between German regions for both, diagnostic coronary angiographies and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). We assume that this variation is not only due to variation in morbidity but also reflects factors such as guideline adherence, physician-patient communication and access to care. In this mixed method project, we aim to first describe the variation of coronary angiographies and PCIs in different German regions. Secondly, we explore current practices and motives for (non-)adherences to guidelines in the diagnostic process of patients with suspected CHD. Based on these results, we consequently plan to develop a complex intervention (treatment pathway) to improve guideline adherence and thus appropriateness of coronary angiography. Method The projects will be organized according to the recommendation of the Medical Research Council for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. The first study will use descriptive methods based on routine data of three German Health Care Insurances and registry data to describe status quo and associated factors of coronary angiography. The second study will use qualitative methods to understand barriers and facilitators of guideline adherence and medical decision making. Furthermore, we will discuss variations in care and thereby identify implementation targets for the planned treatment pathway. Based on this information, we will develop local treatment pathways in four selected regions. Relevant peers will develop the local pathway in group discussions. Using this bottom-up approach, we directly address implementation challenges.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Fuhrmann, author = {Fuhrmann, Thomas}, title = {Motivation Centered Learning}, series = {2018 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 3-6 Oct. 2018, San Jose, CA, USA}, booktitle = {2018 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 3-6 Oct. 2018, San Jose, CA, USA}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/FIE.2018.8658436}, pages = {1 -- 5}, abstract = {This Research Work in Progress Paper evaluates students' motivation sources and shows the high impact that work of professors has on students' motivation. Common goal of most professors is to help students acquiring knowledge and competencies that are relevant for their further life. From the beginning of Universities' history, lectures are usually chosen to reach this goal but it is seen in recent years that they are in many cases not the optimal choice. In the last years, many efforts were made to increase students knowledge gain. From learning and motivation psychology research, many details are known how humans remember and transfer knowledge. These research results are used to create new lecture formats to activate students. Research based learning, project based lab courses, problem based learning, feedback systems, flipped classroom, blended learning and gamification in lectures are only some examples for new formats. Common goal of all these new types of learning formats is to increasing students' motivation and to enhance learning success. In this paper, evaluations using a questionnaire with open questions were done among first year students, bachelor students before graduation and alumni, about their sources of motivation and demotivation. Interesting curricula and lectures with application related topics and possibilities for own work are the main sources of motivation. Enthusiastic professors with high competences and good lecture didactics also contribute to students' motivation. On the other side, demotivated professors with boring lectures play a much higher role for demotivating students. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate aspects of student motivation into curriculum and lecture design and professors should become aware that they are important role-models for motivating or demotivating students.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{WeissGrossmannLeiboldetal., author = {Weiß, Roman and Großmann, Benjamin and Leibold, Marion and Schlegl, Thomas and Wollherr, Dirk and Weiss, Roman and Grossmann, Benjamin}, title = {Modeling and nonlinear control of antagonistically actuating pneumatic artificial muscles}, series = {2017 IEEE International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM), 3-7 July 2017, Munich, Germany}, booktitle = {2017 IEEE International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM), 3-7 July 2017, Munich, Germany}, publisher = {IEEE}, doi = {10.1109/AIM.2017.8014001}, pages = {94 -- 99}, abstract = {This paper discusses modeling and nonlinear control of a joint antagonistically actuated by two pneumatic, artificial muscles. A single model of the whole system is obtained by a combined physical and phenomenological modeling approach. The combined model for the joint, the muscles and the proportional valves results in a nonlinear, affine-in-control system description. The model is used to derive control laws for an input/output linearization approach to linearize the plant. Modeling and parametrization errors are covered via an outer control loop consisting of a state-feedback which is extended by an additional feedback of error integral. Extensive experimental results show the quality of the model and the performance of the respective control laws.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{MarkovGlazerSchliermann, author = {Markov-Glazer, Alon and Schliermann, Rainer}, title = {Psychological skills and techniques utility patterns in elite deaf sport}, series = {International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP), 15th World Congress, Proceedings, 30th September - 4th October 2021, Taipeh, China}, booktitle = {International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP), 15th World Congress, Proceedings, 30th September - 4th October 2021, Taipeh, China}, editor = {Schinke, Robert and Chang, Yu-Kai}, publisher = {Routledge}, pages = {236 -- 237}, language = {en} } @article{TreutweinLoeschelHippetal., author = {Treutwein, Marius and L{\"o}schel, Rainer and Hipp, Matthias and K{\"o}lbl, Oliver and Dobler, Barbara}, title = {Secondary malignancy risk for patients with localized prostate cancer after intensity-modulated radiotherapy with and without flattening filter}, series = {The Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP)}, volume = {21}, journal = {The Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP)}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, doi = {10.1002/acm2.13088}, pages = {197 -- 205}, abstract = {Men treated for localized prostate cancer by radiotherapy have often a remaining life span of 10 yr or more. Therefore, the risk for secondary malignancies should be taken into account. Plans for ten patients were evaluated which had been performed on an Oncentra (R) treatment planning system for a treatment with an Elekta Synergy (TM) linac with Agility (TM) head. The investigated techniques involved IMRT and VMTA with and without flattening filter. Different dose response models were applied for secondary carcinoma and sarcoma risk in the treated region and also in the periphery. As organs at risk we regarded for carcinoma risk urinary bladder, rectum, colon, esophagus, thyroid, and for sarcoma risk bone and soft tissue. The excess absolute risk (EAR) was found very similar in the treated region for both techniques (IMRT and VMAT) and also for both with and without flattening filter. The secondary sarcoma risk resulted about one magnitude smaller than the secondary carcinoma risk. The EAR to the peripheral organs was statistically significant reduced by application of the flattening filter free mode concerning the flattening filter as main source of scattered dose. Application of flattening filter free mode can thus support to reduce second malignancy risk for patients with localized prostate cancer.}, language = {en} } @article{BenderFahriogluYamaciTaneri, author = {Bender, Guzide and Fahrioglu Yamaci, Rezan and Taneri, Bahar}, title = {CRISPR and KRAS: a match yet to be made}, series = {Journal of biomedical science}, volume = {28}, journal = {Journal of biomedical science}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1186/s12929-021-00772-0}, pages = {1 -- 25}, abstract = {CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) systems are one of the most fascinating tools of the current era in molecular biotechnology. With the ease that they provide in genome editing, CRISPR systems generate broad opportunities for targeting mutations. Specifically in recent years, disease-causing mutations targeted by the CRISPR systems have been of main research interest; particularly for those diseases where there is no current cure, including cancer. KRAS mutations remain untargetable in cancer. Mutations in this oncogene are main drivers in common cancers, including lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers, which are severe causes of public health burden and mortality worldwide, with no cure at hand. CRISPR systems provide an opportunity for targeting cancer causing mutations. In this review, we highlight the work published on CRISPR applications targeting KRAS mutations directly, as well as CRISPR applications targeting mutations in KRAS-related molecules. In specific, we focus on lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. To date, the limited literature on CRISPR applications targeting KRAS, reflect promising results. Namely, direct targeting of mutant KRAS variants using various CRISPR systems resulted in significant decrease in cell viability and proliferation in vitro, as well as tumor growth inhibition in vivo. In addition, the effect of mutant KRAS knockdown, via CRISPR, has been observed to exert regulatory effects on the downstream molecules including PI3K, ERK, Akt, Stat3, and c-myc. Molecules in the KRAS pathway have been subjected to CRISPR applications more often than KRAS itself. The aim of using CRISPR systems in these studies was mainly to analyze the therapeutic potential of possible downstream and upstream effectors of KRAS, as well as to discover further potential molecules. Although there have been molecules identified to have such potential in treatment of KRAS-driven cancers, a substantial amount of effort is still needed to establish treatment strategies based on these discoveries. We conclude that, at this point in time, despite being such a powerful directed genome editing tool, CRISPR remains to be underutilized for targeting KRAS mutations in cancer. Efforts channelled in this direction, might pave the way in solving the long-standing challenge of targeting the KRAS mutations in cancers.}, language = {en} }