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Over the last two decades, red ochre has played a pivotal role in discussions about the cognitive and cultural evolution of early modern humans during the African Middle Stone Age. Given the importance of ochre for the scholarly debate about the emergence of ‘behavioral modernity’, the lack of long-term spatio-temporal analyses spanning large geographical areas represents a significant gap in knowledge. Here we take a continent-wide approach, rather than focusing on specific sites, regions or technocomplexes. We report the most comprehensive meta-analysis of ochre use to date, spanning Africa between 500 and 40 thousand years ago, to examine data from more than a hundred archaeological sites. Using methods based on time averaging, we identified three distinct phases of ochre use: the initial phase occurred from 500,000 to 330,000; the emergent phase from 330,000 to 160,000; and the habitual phase from 160,000 to 40,000 years ago. The number of sites with ochre increased with each subsequent phase. More importantly, the ratio of sites with ochre compared to those with only stone artifacts also followed this trend, indicating the increasing intensity of ochre use during the Middle Stone Age. While the geographical distribution expanded with time, the absolute number of ochre finds grew significantly as well, underlining the intensification of ochre use. We determine that ochre use established itself as a habitual cultural practice in southern, eastern and northern Africa starting about 160,000 years ago, when a third of archaeological sites contain ochre. We argue that this pattern is a likely material manifestation of intensifying ritual activity in early populations of Homo sapiens. Such ritual behavior may have facilitated the demographic expansion of early modern humans, first within and eventually beyond the African continent. We discuss the implications of our findings on two models of ritual evolution, the Female Cosmetic Coalitions Hypothesis and the Ecological Stress Hypothesis, as well as a model about the emergence of complex cultural capacities, the Eight-Grade Model for the Evolution and Expansion of Cultural Capacities.

Some of the highest specific mass change rates in Antarctica are reported for the Antarctic Peninsula. However, the existing estimates for the northern Antarctic Peninsula (

Quantifying glacier elevation and volume changes is critical to understanding the response of glaciers to climate change and related impacts, such as regional runoff and global sea-level rise. Spaceborne remote sensing techniques enable the quantification of spatially distributed glacier elevation changes at regional and global scales using multi-temporal digital elevation models (DEMs). A growing number of spaceborne studies exist to assess glacier elevation changes but they show widespread differences often beyond the error bars. Here, we present the results of a community-based inter-comparison experiment using spaceborne optical (ASTER) and radar (TanDEM-X) sensors to assess elevation changes for selected individual glaciers and regional glacier samples. Using a predefined set of DEMs, participating groups provided their own estimates using various processing strategies. For the selected individual glaciers, the results were validated using airborne data. The validation shows that the median of the spaceborne ensemble is biased by a few decimetres per year with a standard deviation of about half a meter per year. An interesting finding is that no sensor and no processing strategy perform significantly better for all experiment sites. At the regional scale, we find that the co-registration of DEMs is the most relevant processing step for an accurate assessment of elevation change. Other corrections such as gap filling, filtering, and radar penetration have less impact in general but can be essential for individual cases. Temporal corrections (i.e. seasonal and annual) can have a great impact; however, they are not yet well resolved by the remote sensing community.Our study confirms that the currently available spaceborne geodetic assessments result in relatively widespread glacier elevation changes. Therefore, we recommend an ensemble approach of observations from multiple observational sources. Furthermore, there is a need to establish best practices for related uncertainty estimates.

Nano-patterning the semiconducting photoactive layer/back electrode interface of organic photovoltaic devices is a widely accepted approach to enhance the power conversion efficiency through the exploitation of numerous photonic and plasmonic effects. Yet, nano-patterning the semiconductor/metal interface leads to intertwined effects that impact the optical as well as the electrical characteristic of solar cells. In this work we aim to disentangle the optical and electrical effects of a nano-structured semiconductor/metal interface on the device performance. For this, we use an inverted bulk heterojunction P3HT:PCBM solar cell structure, where the nano-patterned photoactive layer/back electrode interface is realized by patterning the active layer with sinusoidal grating profiles bearing a periodicity of 300 nm or 400 nm through imprint lithography while varying the photoactive layer thickness (LPAL) between 90 and 400 nm. The optical and electrical device characteristics of nano-patterned solar cells are compared to the characteristics of control devices, featuring a planar photoactive layer/back electrode interface. We find that patterned solar cells show for an enhanced photocurrent generation for a LPAL above 284 nm, which is not observed when using thinner active layer thicknesses. Simulating the optical characteristic of planar and patterned devices through a finite-difference time-domain approach proves for an increased light absorption in presence of a patterned electrode interface, originating from the excitation of propagating surface plasmon and dielectric waveguide modes. Evaluation of the external quantum efficiency characteristic and the voltage dependent charge extraction characteristics of fabricated planar and patterned solar cells reveals, however, that the increased photocurrents of patterned devices do not stem from an optical enhancement but from an improved charge carrier extraction efficiency in the space charge limited extraction regime. Presented findings clearly demonstrate that the improved charge extraction efficiency of patterned solar cells is linked to the periodic surface corrugation of the (back) electrode interface.

To improve the efficiency of bifacial photovoltaic modules, the idea of light deflection was addressed. A thin film with an intended structure was applied in the space between the cells. Due to the selected structural geometry, unused light is specifically redirected to the solar cell and can be absorbed by it and converted into additional current. The effect of the light-directing film was both simulated and measured. Single PV modules without and with commercial structured films or white back sheet were measured to evaluate the results The expected gain of up to 11% from the simulation could not be achieved by measurement, by reaching about 3%.

Background: Single elements of the Closed Loop Medication Management process (CLMM), including electronic prescribing, involvement of clinical pharmacists (CPs), patient individual logistics and digital administration/documentation, have shown to improve medication safety and patient health outcomes. The impact of the complete CLMM on patient safety, as reflected in pharmacists’ interventions (PIs), is largely unknown.Aim: To evaluate the extent and characterization of routine PIs performed by hospital-wide CPs at a university hospital with an implemented CLMM.Methods: This single-center study included all interventions documented by CPs on five self-chosen working days within 1 month using the validated online-database DokuPIK (Documentation of Pharmacists’ Interventions in the Hospital). Based on different workflows, two groups of CPs were compared. One group operated as a part of the CLMM, the “Closed Loop Clinical Pharmacists” (CL-CPs), while the other group worked less dependent of the CLMM, the “Process Detached Clinical Pharmacists” (PD-CPs). The professional experience and the number of medication reviews were entered in an online survey. Combined pseudonymized datasets were analyzed descriptively after anonymization.Results: A total of 1,329 PIs were documented by nine CPs. Overall CPs intervened in every fifth medication review. The acceptance rate of PIs was 91.9%. The most common reasons were the categories “drugs” (e.g., indication, choice of formulation/drug and documentation/transcription) with 42.7%, followed by “dose” with 29.6%. One-quarter of PIs referred to the therapeutic subgroup “J01 antibacterials for systemic use.” Of the 1,329 underlying PIs, 1,295 were classified as medication errors (MEs) and their vast majority (81.5%) was rated as “error, no harm” (NCC MERP categories B-D). Among PIs performed by CL-CPs (n = 1,125), the highest proportion of errors was categorized as B (56.5%), while in the group of PIs from PD-CPs (n = 170) errors categorized as C (68.2%) dominated (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Our study shows that a structured CLMM enables CPs to perform a high number of medication reviews while detecting and solving MEs at an early stage before they can cause harm to the patient. Based on key quality indicators for medication safety, the complete CLMM provides a suitable framework for the efficient medication management of inpatients.

We apply regular arrays of plasmonic nanodisks to enhance light emission from an organic white light-emitting diode (WOLED). To achieve broadband enhancement, we apply, first, aluminum as a nanodisk material with moderate loss throughout the whole visible spectral range. Second, broadband light coupling is mediated by surface lattice resonances from a multipitch array built from two superimposed gratings with different grating constants formed by elliptic and circular nanodisks. To demonstrate the viability of this concept, the grating structure was embedded in the hole transport layer of a solution-processed phosphorescent WOLED exhibiting a current efficiency of 2.1 cd/A at 1000 cd/m2. The surface lattice resonances in the grating raise the current efficiency of the device by 23% to 2.6 cd/A at 1000 cd/m2, while the device emission changes from a neutral white to a warm white appearance with CIE1931 (x,y) coordinates of (0.361, 0.352) and (0.404, 0.351), respectively. The WOLED was characterized in detail optically by extinction and angle-resolved photoluminescence and as well by electroluminescence measurements for its opto-electronic characteristics. The experimental results agree well with finite-difference time domain simulations that aim at a better understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms. In summary, our work presents a novel versatile approach for achieving broadband enhancement of light emission in WOLEDs over a wide spectral range.

International audience; The text intends to investigate and clarify the salient aspects and limits of a possible and barely deepened relationship of proximity between H. Plessner and C. Schmitt regarding the interpretation and use of the friend/enemy dichotomy. One of the goals is to show that, although in his text of 1931 Political Anthropology Plessner tries to ground political anthropology by explicitly referring to the friend/enemy dichotomy as it was formulated by Schmitt, he develops this dualism in the light of the opposition between "familiar" and "foreign." This development leads Plessner, beyond Schmitt's aims, to the problematization of intersubjectivity and the possibility of "Euro-excentrism."

Gully erosion is known to affect soil productivity, limit land use, and to pose threats on infrastructure in many parts of the world. Gully erosion has been largely neglected because it is difficult to model and visualize its effects. Many gullies grow rapidly to large sizes, making effective control technically difficult and often too expensive. To assess the susceptibility of soils and substrates to gully erosion, the triggering factors must be identified and analyzed. For this study, a simulation of gully development over time was implemented in Python based on the topographic characteristics of the test watershed, soil properties, and measured runoff. The full simulation GIS was tested on a gully in the KwaThunzi region, South Africa. The results are very promising and allow a 2D/3D visualization of the time series of gully evolution.

The time period between 560 and 360 ka (MIS14 to MIS11) was critical for the evolution of the Neanderthal lineage and the appearance of Levallois technology in Europe. The shifts in the distribution of the human populations, driven by cyclical climate changes, are generally accepted to have played major roles in both processes. We used a dataset of palaeoclimate maps and a species distribution model to reconstruct the changes in the area of Western Europe with suitable environmental conditions for humans during 11 time intervals of the MIS14 to MIS 11 period. Eventually, the maximum sustainable human population within the suitable area during each time interval was estimated by extrapolating the relationship observed between recent hunter-gatherer population density and net primary productivity and applying it to the past. Contrary to common assumptions, our results showed the three Mediterranean Peninsulas were not the only region suitable for humans during the glacial periods. The estimated total sustainable population of Western Europe from MIS14 to MIS11 oscillated between 13,000 and 25,000 individuals. These results offer a new theoretical scenario to develop models and hypotheses to explain cultural and biological evolution during the Middle Pleistocene in Western Europe.

The past 7 years have been the warmest consecutive period on record by a clear margin, according to the Copernicus climate data archive. Glaciers and icecaps react with accelerated adaptation to those drastically changing environmental conditions. Profound knowledge about their status and ongoing changes in terms of quantifiable ice loss is crucial to predict the future of those vital sources of ecosystems and populations. The contribution of remote sensing techniques has become indispensable to complement in situ observations and thus letting modelled predictions emerge.Over the past decade the satellite mission of TanDEM-X has accomplished the goal of covering the terrestrial surface with high resolution SAR imaging at least twice. We selected suitable datasets from that mission archive to calculate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Comparing the elevation datasets on Glaciers and Icecaps with the temporal baseline of the two global acquisition periods (2012-2018) allows for the calculation of elevation and volume change.Over the last year we calculated annual elevation change rates in over 30 000 satellite image scenes to present a global picture of Glacier change that corresponds to the TanDEM-X mission time. We compare these to previous changes which we calculated in respect to SRTM elevation (2000-2012) where possible and/or existing studies. The first results for Arctic Russia and Patagonia show increased rates of volume loss from 70 to exceeding 100 percent, compared to results from the earlier decade. Whereas for the regions of High Mountain Asia we find more moderate acceleration. The presentation aims at providing a comprehensive overview of surface elevation and volume changes for most Randolph Glacier Inventory regions.

Fingerprinting-based Visible Light Positioning is a promising candidate to perform large-scale indoor positioning tasks. In fingerprinting, signal characteristics are grouped in a fingerprint map together with the respective locations inside the indoor environment. By comparing live signal measurements with the fingerprint map, the closest match is selected as the current position estimate. However, the fingerprint map has to be generated beforehand in the so-called offline phase, which is the time-consuming process of sampling the environment, in which the positioning task is desired, for signal characteristics. Here, we propose a fingerprint-based positioning approach for which we mitigate the need for the offline phase by taking advantage of the VLC data transmission capabilities of the LED luminaires of the obligatory room lighting. Based on the transmitted data on room and luminaire configurations to the receiving device, the illumination characteristics in the room can be calculated by simplified analytical formalisms, substituting the need for an experimentally measured offline phase. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach with the help of ray-tracing simulations and under the assumption that the receiving device is equipped with an angular sectored receiver. The results of the ray-tracing simulations mimic real world measurements with the receiver in the online phase. We show that decimeter level accuracies down to centimeter level accuracies are achievable for such an approach.

We study the dependence of the vacuum Rabi splitting (VRS) on frequency disorder, vibrations, near-field effects and density in molecular polaritonics. In the mesoscopic limit, static frequency disorder alone can already introduce a loss mechanism from polaritonic states into a dark state reservoir, which we quantitatively describe, providing an analytical scaling of the VRS with the level of disorder. Disorder additionally can split a molecular ensemble into donor-type and acceptor-type molecules and the combination of vibronic coupling, dipole-dipole interactions and vibrational relaxation induces an incoherent FRET (F\"{o}rster resonance energy transfer) migration of excitations within the collective molecular state. This is equivalent to a dissipative disorder and has the effect of saturating and even reducing the VRS in the mesoscopic, high-density limit. Overall, this analysis allows to quantify the crucial role played by dark states in cavity quantum electrodynamics with mesoscopic, disordered ensembles.

Differentiation toward CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is essentially dependent on an epigenetic program at Treg signature genes, which involves remodeling of the Treg-specific demethylated regions (TSDRs). In particular, the epigenetic status of the conserved non-coding sequence 2 of Foxp3 (Foxp3 TSDR) determines expression stability of the master transcription factor and thus Treg lineage identity. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling the epigenetic remodeling at TSDRs in Treg and conventional T cells are largely unknown. Using a combined approach of DNA pull-down and mass spectrometric analysis, we report a novel regulatory mechanism in which transcription factor Wiz recruits the histone methyltransferase Ehmt1 to Foxp3 TSDR. We show that both Wiz and Ehmt1 are crucial for shaping the region with the repressive histone modification H3K9me2 in conventional T cells. Consistently, knocking out either Ehmt1 or Wiz by CRISPR/Cas resulted in the loss of H3K9me2 and enhanced Foxp3 expression during iTreg differentiation. Moreover, the essential role of the Wiz-Ehmt1 interaction as observed at several TSDRs indicates a global function of Ehmt1 in the Treg differentiation program.

Background: Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) quantifies the extent to which a stimulus that has been associated with reward or punishment alters operant behaviour. In alcohol dependence (AD), the PIT effect serves as a paradigmatic model of cue-induced relapse. Preclinical studies have suggested a critical role of the opioid system in modulating Pavlovian–instrumental interactions. The A118G polymorphism of the OPRM1 gene affects opioid receptor availability and function. Furthermore, this polymorphism interacts with cue-induced approach behaviour and is a potential biomarker for pharmacological treatment response in AD. In this study, we tested whether the OPRM1 polymorphism is associated with the PIT effect and relapse in AD. Methods: Using a PIT task, we examined three independent samples: young healthy subjects (N = 161), detoxified alcohol-dependent patients (N = 186) and age-matched healthy controls (N = 105). We used data from a larger study designed to assess the role of learning mechanisms in the development and maintenance of AD. Subjects were genotyped for the A118G (rs1799971) polymorphism of the OPRM1 gene. Relapse was assessed after three months. Results: In all three samples, participants with the minor OPRM1 G-Allele (G+ carriers) showed increased expression of the PIT effect in the absence of learning differences. Relapse was not associated with the OPRM1 polymorphism. Instead, G+ carriers displaying increased PIT effects were particularly prone to relapse. Conclusion: These results support a role for the opioid system in incentive salience motivation. Furthermore, they inform a mechanistic model of aberrant salience processing and are in line with the pharmacological potential of opioid receptor targets in the treatment of AD.

Mountain glaciers are key indicators of the changing climate conditions worldwide. Observations in recent decades suggest that their immediate atmospheric environment is changing more rapidly than it does elsewhere. Therefore, in addition to a network for measuring climatic parameters, a continuous investigation of glacier changes is indispensable.The Terra SAR-Add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-X) mission has achieved two complete space-borne surveys of the Earth's surface and thus of all existing glaciers during its mission lifetime. This study exhibits the methodological and technical findings generated over the period 2011-2019 for multi-temporal investigations – and culminates in a recommendation map for the ongoing and follow-up bi-static SAR acquisitions.The opportunities which TanDEM-X datasets open up for glacier monitoring are demonstrated: high spatial resolution of up to ~10 m, independence of cloud cover and daylight, smooth and homogenous elevation change fields. This enables wide spatial coverage of the observations throughout climatic and altitudinal zones. However, there are also challenges and limitations to multi-temporal glacier change monitoring. We provide initial conclusions from our repeat studies in Patagonia, the tropical Andes, the Alps and Himalaya/Karakoram. Influences such as seasonality, terrain and latitude on measurement accuracy are being investigated.The results of this work highlight the capabilities of TanDEM-X data with our current processing strategy: We show where major uncertainties arise from, where our products complement other methods, and where they surpass them. Our analysis forms a contribution to the Regional Assessments of Glacier Mass Change (RAGMAC) initiative for a better understanding of observation disparities and collaboration potentials in glacier monitoring by remote sensing techniques. Based on our findings we will point to research needs and propose strategies for a continuous global acquisition and to partially overcome some of the deficiencies, where possible.

In this paper, I am going to focus on two aspects of Heidegger’s thought on the question of technology. (1) Heidegger’s reflection on the question of technology is constituted, at least partially, by his deconstruction of Ernst Junger’s book The Worker during the 30s. Heidegger will develop three themes, related to his debate with E. Junger, in his post-war works (especially in the conference of 1953 The Question concerning Technology). The themes concern: technology as machination (Machenschaft), animated by will to power; technology as truthful unconcealment, and finally, the equation technology = metaphysics. (2) Heidegger’s criticism of technology presupposes a “theological” component – which we shall highlight – without which the ultimate meaning of Heidegger’s criticism remains unintelligible. The overcoming of technology as overcoming of nihilism (metaphysics) is possible only thanks to the originary experience or wished arrival of a new god or gods (singular and plural). As for Heidegger, “Only a god can save us”. This means that only a god, and not a human being, can bring us to a new beginning and open up the post-metaphysical and post-technological era.

Spatially controlled, cargo-specific endocytosis is essential for development, tissue homeostasis, and cancer invasion and is often hijacked by viral infections 1. Unlike clathrin-mediated endocytosis, which exploits cargo-specific adaptors for selective protein internalization, the clathrin and dynamin-independent endocytic pathway (CLIC-GEEC, CG-pathway) has until now been considered a bulk internalization route for the fluid phase, glycosylated membrane proteins and lipids 2,3. Although the core molecular players of CG endocytosis have been recently defined, no cargo-specific adaptors are known and evidence of selective protein uptake into the pathway is lacking 3. Here, we identify the first cargo-specific adaptor for CG-endocytosis and demonstrate its clinical relevance in breast cancer progression. By combining unbiased molecular characterization and super-resolution imaging, we identified the actin-binding protein swiprosin-1 (EFHD2) as a cargo-specific adaptor regulating integrin internalization via the CG-pathway. Swiprosin-1 couples active Rab21-associated integrins with key components of the CG-endocytic machinery, IRSp53 and actin. Swiprosin-1 is critical for integrin endocytosis, but not for other CG-cargo and supports integrin-dependent cancer cell migration and invasion, with clinically relevant implications for breast cancer. Our results demonstrate a previously unknown cargo selectivity for the CG-pathway and opens the possibility to discover more adaptors regulating it.

Spatially controlled, cargo-specific endocytosis is essential for development, tissue homeostasis and cancer invasion. Unlike cargo-specific clathrin-mediated endocytosis, the clathrin- and dynamin-independent endocytic pathway (CLIC-GEEC, CG pathway) is considered a bulk internalization route for the fluid phase, glycosylated membrane proteins and lipids. While the core molecular players of CG-endocytosis have been recently defined, evidence of cargo-specific adaptors or selective uptake of proteins for the pathway are lacking. Here we identify the actin-binding protein Swiprosin-1 (Swip1, EFHD2) as a cargo-specific adaptor for CG-endocytosis. Swip1 couples active Rab21-associated integrins with key components of the CG-endocytic machinery-Arf1, IRSp53 and actin-and is critical for integrin endocytosis. Through this function, Swip1 supports integrin-dependent cancer-cell migration and invasion, and is a negative prognostic marker in breast cancer. Our results demonstrate a previously unknown cargo selectivity for the CG pathway and a role for specific adaptors in recruitment into this endocytic route.

We present an approach to enable 3D Visible Light Positioning (VLP) utilizing the fingerprinting method combined with the approach of track analysis. Especially in rooms with a highly symmetric arrangement of the luminaires, fingerprinting suffers from high ambiguity of the received signals. We demonstrate an approach to overcome this ambiguity by expanding fingerprinting by track analysis in 3D VLP based on angle diverse receivers. Furthermore, we give a more detailed insight on the impact of the number and the kind of the segmentations of the related optical elements for the receivers and their effect on the performance of the designed algorithm. We demonstrate that by such an approach the success rate for correct 3D position estimation can be enhanced between 29 % and 64 % in dependence of the respective angular segmentation of the receiver.

Excluding the large ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, glaciers in South America are large contributors to sea-level rise1. Their rates of mass loss, however, are poorly known. Here, using repeat bi-static synthetic aperture radar interferometry over the years 2000 to 2011/2015, we compute continent-wide, glacier-specific elevation and mass changes for 85% of the glacierized area of South America. Mass loss rate is calculated to be 19.43 ± 0.60 Gt a−1 from elevation changes above ground, sea or lake level, with an additional 3.06 ± 1.24 Gt a−1 from subaqueous ice mass loss not contributing to sea-level rise. The largest contributions come from the Patagonian icefields, where 83% mass loss occurs, largely from dynamic adjustments of large glaciers. These changes contribute 0.054 ± 0.002 mm a−1 to sea-level rise. In comparison with previous studies2, tropical and out-tropical glaciers — as well as those in Tierra del Fuego — show considerably less ice loss. These results provide basic information to calibrate and validate glacier-climate models and also for decision-makers in water resource management3. Synthetic aperture radar interferometry reveals that 19 Gt of ice is lost per year from glaciers in South America — mostly from Patagonia — contributing 0.04 mm annually to global sea-level rise.

Soil erosion is considered as one of the main threats affecting both rural and urban areas in many different parts all over the world. Therefore, increasing attention has been attributed to soil erosion in the last decades. This can also be documented by an increasing number of studies targeting soil erosion assessment using qualitative and quantitative models. However, gully erosion phenomena have been widely neglected in erosion modelling due to the nature and complexity of the related processes and hence, it is also more difficult to simulate, predict and to visualize its effects. Sidorchuk (1999) established a Fortran based dynamic erosion model called DYNGUL to describe the first quick stage of gully development, coinciding with the main changes in gully morphology; like changes in volume, area and elevation of the longitudinal profile. The DYNGUL model is based on the solution of the equations of mass conservation and gully bed deformation. The model of straight slope stability was used to predict gully side wall inclination and of the finite morphology of the gully. The objective of this contribution is to establish a GIS tool for a quantitative gully erosion assessment and to predict gully evolution over time. The tool will help: i) to cope with or mitigate gully erosion processes and ii) to plan measures to stabilize the landscape affected by gully erosion. Therefore, we developed a Python-based tool that can be applied in a GIS environment. The model was tested its performance and the sensitivity of physical parameters with data from a gully in the Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The results of the gully erosion model showed that their sensitivity to lithological and hydrological factors is rather high.

Patagonian and Tierra del Fuego Glaciers are among the highest contributors to sea level rise in the Southern Hemisphere. Although this is an area gaining more attention through recent studies, continuous remotely sensed monitoring is only nascent, but crucial for a better understanding of the glacier changes in this region. Here, we present an update of the glacier elevation and mass changes of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego glaciers, applying differential synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry using data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and the German TerraSAR-X-Add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements mission (TanDEM-X). Our study covers the period between 2000 and 2019. Here, we particularly estimated the glacier mass loss regionalized for the Northern and Southern Patagonia Icefield (NPI and SPI) and Tierra del Fuego, which includes the Icefields of Cordillera Darwin and Gran Campo Nevado.Our preliminary results indicate mass loss rates of 4.75 ± 0.35 Gt a-1 for NPI for the period of 2000-2019. Results for both other regions will be also presented. Alongside an accuracy assessment based on GNSS field campaign data and satellite laser altimetry.

Individuals differ in how they learn from experience. In Pavlovian conditioning models, where cues predict reinforcer delivery at a different goal location, some animals-called sign-trackers-come to approach the cue, whereas others, called goal-trackers, approach the goal. In sign-trackers, model-free phasic dopaminergic reward-prediction errors underlie learning, which renders stimuli 'wanted'. Goal-trackers do not rely on dopamine for learning and are thought to use model-based learning. We demonstrate this double dissociation in 129 male humans using eye-tracking, pupillometry and functional magnetic resonance imaging informed by computational models of sign- and goal-tracking. We show that sign-trackers exhibit a neural reward prediction error signal that is not detectable in goal-trackers. Model-free value only guides gaze and pupil dilation in sign-trackers. Goal-trackers instead exhibit a stronger model-based neural state prediction error signal. This model-based construct determines gaze and pupil dilation more in goal-trackers.

This work is a contribution to the design of high-power DC-DC converters for future wind power applications by use of new semiconductors made of silicon carbide. First, the application is introduced, that is selected for high performance SiC devices. The design methodology is presented and validated with measurements of a physical prototype.

Alcohol intoxication may affect self-reports of alcohol use and related constructs, such as impulsivity and dependence symptoms. Improved knowledge about potential systematic reporting biases induced by alcohol, e.g. through disinhibition, may be relevant for the assessment of intoxicated individuals both in clinical routine and research. We therefore randomly assigned 54 socially drinking males aged 18 to 19 without lifetime diagnosis of DSM-IV alcohol dependence to one of two experimental arms: either placebo infusion at day 1 and alcohol infusion at day 2, or vice versa. The lab-based intravenous alcohol infusion produced a constant blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent. On each day, participants completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, as well as other questionnaires on alcohol expectancies, drinking motives and substance use-related temperament traits. We found that alcohol significantly increased self-reported expectancies (tension reduction) and motives (conformity; η2 = .16-.23), but we observed no effect of sequence, i.e. alcohol first versus placebo first (Pcorr ≥ .118). High baseline alcohol expectancies did not moderate alcohol effects (Pcorr ≥ .462). We conclude that moderate alcohol intoxication might not generally affect the reliability of self-reported alcohol use, alcohol use problems and psychological concepts related to drinking behavior in young males without alcohol dependence. Future studies could examine larger, less selective and clinical samples for possible alcohol effects on self-report measures related to alcohol consumption.

Objective: We investigated the potential of computer-based models to decode diagnosis and lifetime consumption in alcohol dependence (AD) from grey-matter pattern information. As machine-learning approaches to psychiatric neuroimaging have recently come under scrutiny due to unclear generalization and the opacity of algorithms, our investigation aimed to address a number of methodological criticisms. Method: Participants were adult individuals diagnosed with AD (N = 119) and substance-naive controls (N = 97) ages 20-65 who underwent structural MRI. Machine-learning models were applied to predict diagnosis and lifetime alcohol consumption. Results: A classification scheme based on regional grey matter attained 74% diagnostic accuracy and predicted lifetime consumption with high accuracy (r = 0.56, P < 10(-10)). A key advantage of the classification scheme was its algorithmic transparency, revealing cingulate, insular and inferior frontal cortices as important brain areas underlying classification. Validation of the classification scheme on data of an independent trial was successful with nearly identical accuracy, addressing the concern of generalization. Finally, compared to a blinded radiologist, computer-based classification showed higher accuracy and sensitivity, reduced age and gender biases, but lower specificity. Conclusion: Computer-based models applied to whole-brain grey-matter predicted diagnosis and lifetime consumption in AD with good accuracy. Computer-based classification may be particularly suited as a screening tool with high sensitivity.

The ROCEEH Out of Africa Database (ROAD) is a multidisciplinary database with archaeological and paleobiological content. It was developed to support the interdisciplinary research project “The Role of Culture in Early Expansions of Humans” (ROCEEH), whose main aim is to study the cultural aspects of human expansions over the last three million years. The concept of the database is to bring together archaeological, paleoanthropological and paleoenvironmental content to allow quantitative and statistical analysis of the information stored. The data entered into ROAD include new results produced by researchers involved in the project, as well as published data from previous excavations. The data rely on a standardized vocabulary that is applied across the project and its publications; the data can be retrieved from the database in tabular form or using SQL queries. In addition to the archaeological and paleobiological information, ROAD contains spatial data (e.g., vector and raster data), generated by ROCEEH and other projects. One important part of ROAD is its web-based application, which allows the user to easily insert, update, review, query, export, visualize and analyse data.

Background Video fluoroscopy is a technique currently used to retrieve the in vivo three-dimensional kinematics of human joints during activities of daily living. Minimization of the radiation dose absorbed by the subject during the measurement is a priority and has not been thoroughly addressed so far. This issue is critical for the motion analysis of the hip joint, because of the proximity of the gonads. The aims of this study were to determine the x-ray voltage and the irradiation angle that minimize the effective dose and to achieve the best compromise between delivered dose and accuracy in motion retrieval. Methods Effective dose for a fluoroscopic study of the hip was estimated by means of Monte Carlo simulations and dosimetry measurements. Accuracy in pose retrieval for the different viewing angles was evaluated by registration of simulated radiographs of a hip prosthesis during a prescribed virtual motion. Results Absorbed dose can be minimized to about one-sixth of the maximum estimated values by irradiating at the optimal angle of 45° from the posterior side and by operating at 80 kV. At this angle, accuracy in retrieval of internal-external rotation is poorer compared with the other viewing angles. Conclusion The irradiation angle that minimizes the delivered dose does not necessarily correspond to the optimal angle for the accuracy in pose retrieval, for all rotations. For some applications, single-plane fluoroscopy may be a valid lower dose alternative to the dual-plane methods, despite their better accuracy., The Journal of Arthroplasty, 32 (10), ISSN:0883-5403

Wind-packed snow in the form of slabs or crusts is an important part of alpine and polar snow covers. Yet, the formation process of such layers is poorly understood. For example, it remains unclear whether drifting snow is necessary for wind-packing or not. A better understanding of wind-packing could improve snow-cover models and avalanche danger forecasts and contribute to the assessment of mass balances in polar regions. We designed a closed-circuit, obround wind tunnel to study the process of wind crust formation. A SnowMicroPen was used to measure how the hardness of the snow evolved. The results show that no crust forms without saltation. Drifting snow is a necessary but not sufficient condition for wind-packing. The dynamics of erosion and deposition appear to be equally important.

This chapter will provide an overview on the manifold approaches to the visualization of landscapes. There are many techniques on the market nowadays, but we first start with a historical view on the development of the different presentation methods of landscape models. In the beginning, there have been historical maps, followed by physical 3D models of cities and landscapes and then entering the digital world of GIS-systems, integrating nadir viewing remote sensing data with equidistant topographical maps including contour lines and 2.5 dimensional shaded relief maps of Digital Terrain Models. The second paragraph is dedicated to recent hardware technology and image processing techniques of remote sensing data in order to derive height information of the landscape. Section 2.3 summarizes the Digital Landscape Models, the basic geodata infrastructure available through the German surveying agencies. These multiscale national topographical datasets lead to the harmonization within the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE). The last paragraph gives some examples of applications in geomorphology, landscape evolution models and animated maps as well as mixed reality, artificial intelligence and landscape architecture and planning. Finally, we not only try to provide a comprehensive overview of the published literature, we also give a comprehensive overview on the available techniques in Fig. 8, where we plotted the “amount of virtuality” against the user involvement. The digital visualization of landscapes as well as the spatial modelling of landscapes under predefined border conditions are a prerequisite for future sustainable decision making.

Ray-tracing based channel modeling is a powerful tool for the determination of the channel characteristics of VLC settings. In order to overcome the huge computational effort that is necessary in this regard, new strategies for less time-consuming ray-tracing based channel models are essential. Here we introduce a channel model that is based on optical simulations using non-sequential ray-tracing in combination with selfdeveloped algorithms in MATLAB. In addition, we discuss an approach, which allows for a time-effective determination of the dependence of the receiver position on the VLC characteristics along the diagonal of the floor of a room. Raytracing information of each ray impinging on a diagonal stripe (with a width of $\sim1.41$ cm) is exported to MATLAB for further analysis. By doing so, 26 different receiver positions along the diagonal axis of a room can be investigated using only one raytracing simulation run instead of repeating ray-tracing simulations for each of the 26 receiver positions. The error made by this simulation approach turns out to be negligible because of the small ratio between the area or the receiver stripe and the area of the whole floor.