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In psychological science, replicability—repeating a study with a new sample achieving consistent results (Parsons et al., 2022)—is critical for affirming the validity of scientific findings. Despite its importance, replication efforts are few and far between in psychological science with many attempts failing to corroborate past findings. This scarcity, compounded by the difficulty in accessing replication data, jeopardizes the efficient allocation of research resources and impedes scientific advancement. Addressing this crucial gap, we present the Replication Database (https://metaanalyses.shinyapps.io/replicationdatabase/), a novel platform hosting 1,239 original findings paired with replication findings. The infrastructure of this database allows researchers to submit, access, and engage with replication findings. The database makes replications visible, easily findable via a graphical user interface, and tracks replication rates across various factors, such as publication year or journal. This will facilitate future efforts to evaluate the robustness of psychological research.

Background: We previously described the KINSSHIP syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder associated with intellectual disability (ID), mesomelic dysplasia and horseshoe kidney, caused by de novo variants in the degron of AFF3. Mouse knock-ins and overexpression in zebrafish provided evidence for a dominant-negative mode of action, wherein an increased level of AFF3 resulted in pathological effects. Methods: Evolutionary constraints suggest that other modes-of-inheritance could be at play. We challenged this hypothesis by screening ID cohorts for individuals with predicted-to-be damaging variants in AFF3. We used both animal and cellular models to assess the deleteriousness of the identified variants. Results: We identified an individual with a KINSSHIP-like phenotype carrying a de novo partial duplication of AFF3 further strengthening the hypothesis that an increased level of AFF3 is pathological. We also detected seventeen individuals displaying a milder syndrome with either heterozygous Loss-of-Function (LoF) or biallelic missense variants in AFF3. Consistent with semi-dominance, we discovered three patients with homozygous LoF and one compound heterozygote for a LoF and a missense variant, who presented more severe phenotypes than their heterozygous parents. Matching zebrafish knockdowns exhibit neurological defects that could be rescued by expressing human AFF3 mRNA, confirming their association with the ablation of aff3. Conversely, some of the human AFF3 mRNAs carrying missense variants identified in affected individuals did not rescue these phenotypes. Overexpression of mutated AFF3 mRNAs in zebrafish embryos produced a significant increase of abnormal larvae compared to wild-type overexpression further demonstrating deleteriousness. To further assess the effect of AFF3 variation, we profiled the transcriptome of fibroblasts from affected individuals and engineered isogenic cells harboring + / +, KINSSHIP/KINSSHIP, LoF/ +, LoF/LoF or KINSSHIP/LoF AFF3 gen

Hintergrund: Das Leipziger Sprach-Instrumentarium (LSI.J) ermöglicht die Tablet-basierte Überprüfung des Hör-/Sprachverstehens von Jugendlichen (Normen für den Altersbereich 14-22 Jahre, n=456) in den Bereichen frühe Lautverarbeitung, Lexikon, Syntax, pragmatisch-kommunikative Fähigkeiten sowie visuelle und auditive Aufmerksamkeit. Im Projekt DINKO wird LSI.J mit verschiedenen klinischen Populationen erprobt, u.a. mit Kindern und Jugendlichen, die eine klinisch gesicherte Diagnose "Auditive Verarbeitungs- und Wahrnehmungsstörung (AVWS)" haben.Material und Methoden: Jugendliche mit einer fachärztlich gesicherten AVWS-Diagnose wurden in einer Leipziger Schule mit dem Förderschwerpunkt Hören rekrutiert. Sie absolvierten neben den LSI.J-Tests auch die CELF-V-Sprachtests und eine IQ-Testung mit den IDS-2. In der Sektion Phoniatrie und Audiologie des Universitätsklinikums Leipzigs wurden Reinton- und Sprachaudiogramm, BERA, das Hören im Störgeräusch (OLKISA) und das dichotische Hören (Feldmann) überprüft.Ergebnisse: Hier werden 3 Einzelprofile aus der Untersuchungsgruppe vorgestellt. Die 3 Jugendlichen (TP1-TP3) zeigten keine Einschränkungen des peripheren Hörens. TP1 erreichte einen IQ-Wert im durchschnittlichen Bereich, die Werte von TP2 und TP3 lagen 2-3 SD unterhalb des Mittelwertes. Alle 3 Jugendlichen waren im dichotischen Hören sowohl im LSI.J als auch im Feldmann auffällig und zeigten auffällige Leistungen im Nachsprechen und im lexikalischen Entscheiden. Einschränkungen beim Hören im Störgeräusch zeigte nur TP1. Bei TP2 und TP3 erwies sich hingegen bereits die Verarbeitung von Wortbedeutungen als auffällig.Diskussion: In den Einzelprofilen zeigt sich die Vielfältigkeit sprachlicher und kognitiver Leistungsprofile bei AVWS. Die Tests liefern Hinweise auf sprachliche und kognitive Leistungsbereiche, die bei einer AVWS häufig gemeinsam betroffen sind.Fazit: Mit der LSI.J liegt ein Verfahren vor, das aufgrund seiner Test-Zusammenstellung die Differenzial-Diagnostik b

Hintergrund: Das Leipziger Sprach-Instrumentarium Jugend (LSI.J) ist ein Tablet-basiertes Diagnostik-Instrumentarium zur Überprüfung des Hör-/Sprachverstehens bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen. Mit 10 Tests überprüft es 5 Kernbereiche des Sprachverstehens: frühe Lautverarbeitung, Lexikon, Syntax, pragmatisch-kommunikative Fähigkeiten sowie visuelle und auditive Aufmerksamkeit. Das Verfahren zielt auf eine Verbesserung der Diagnostik für Jugendliche und Erwachsene mit persistierenden Entwicklungsstörungen wie AVWS und Sprachentwicklungsstörungen. Die Tests sind so konstruiert, dass sie vor allem im unteren Leistungsbereich gut differenzieren.Für die Normierung wurde ein Verfahren gesucht, das einheitlich für alle Tests verwendet werden kann, normalverteilte, aber auch schiefe Rohwert-Verteilungen verarbeiten kann und keine Altersstufen-Sprünge in den Normwerten erzeugt. Die über das Alter kontinuierliche, nicht-parametrische Normierung nach Lenhard und Kolleg*innen wurde als Möglichkeit identifiziert, diese Anforderungen abzudecken.Material und Methoden: An der Normierung nahmen 446 Jugendliche im Alter von 14 bis 22 Jahren teil, 263 weiblich, 182 männlich. Die Jugendlichen hatten entweder Deutsch als Muttersprache oder besuchten seit mindestens 7 Jahren eine deutsche Kita/Schule. Für 3 Tests wurden keine Normen erstellt, sondern entweder ein Cut-Off-Wert festgelegt oder qualitative Auswertungen erstellt. Für alle anderen Tests wurden die Rohwerte als kontinuierliche Funktion über das Alter mit dem R-Paket cNORM modelliert.Ergebnisse: Die Verteilung der Rohwerte für die einzelnen Tests fiel erwartungsgemäß heterogen aus. Es gab normal- und schief verteilte Rohwerte. Die berechneten Norm-Modelle wiesen für alle einbezogenen Tests eine hohe Anpassungsgüte auf (R2-Wert zwischen 96,2 und 99,5%). Ebenfalls erwartbar für 14- bis 22-Jährige zeigten sich keine oder nur geringe Alterseffekte.Diskussion: Die Verwendung kontinuierlicher Normen erwies sich für LSI.J-Sprach

Renewable energy sources are the major pathway to reduce the carbon dioxide emission in the energy sector. However, the fluctuating electricity generation of solar or wind power plants encounter mismatches between energy generation and demand as well as possible grid instability issues. For that reason, large-scale thermal energy storage (TES) systems are one of the promising solutions to overcome these issues and to allow the operation of a sustainable and reliable energy system based on renewable energy sources. A TES system converts electrical energy into thermal energy during power surplus. The thermal energy is stored and reconverted to electricity during power demand by a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycle. TES has many advantages, such as simplicity, low cost and reliability over alternative storage technologies. The sCO2 power cycles on the other hand offer a variety of advantages, such as a high conversion efficiency, a compact turbomachinery and a temperature glide that fits well with sensible thermal energy storages. To further develop and assess this approach, the EU-project CEEGS (CO2 based electrothermal energy and geological storage system) deals with the development of a high-efficient, cost-effective and scalable energy storage technology. Here, transcritical CO2 cycles are integrated with underground energy storage to achieve, simultaneously, long-term CO2 sequestration and, potentially, geothermal heat extraction. During periods of excess electricity generation, the charging cycle is in operation. Here, CO2 is received from a stationary source and an electric motor drives a compressor of a heat pump system to increase the CO2 pressure from approximately 35 bar to 200 bar, while increasing the temperature from approximately 15 °C to 150 °C. The sCO2 heats up a hot-water storage while reducing its temperature to approximately 45 °C before entering an expansion turbine During the expansion the temperature and pressure are reduced to 0°C

The purpose of this study is to investigate how men who have made non-normative career choices experience their work in school, but also to investigate the meaning of gendered expectations has these men in their female-dominated workplaces. The data collection method is through qualitative method with semi-structured questions where eight respondents are interviewed, who work in preschool, leisure-time center, primary school and upper secondary school. The interviews result in six themes, which are male authority, personal ideals versus the male ideal, men at work, employability, positive discrimination and values and norms. What emerges is that men are expected to act as authorities and discipline students based on the fact that they are men, which creates inequality and tensions between the sexes. There is also a perceived pressure to take care of tasks that are not necessarily theirs, and they are expected to expose themselves to, and not be affected by, violent and threatening situations. Despite the challenges, the respondents mention benefits such as increased employability, the possibility of equalizing the gender balance in the workplace, acting as male role models and counteracting negative male ideals. The conclusions are that values and norms affect the work environment, and it is important to be able to look beyond gender and instead focus on the individual. Thus, it is of great importance to challenge norms and broaden perspectives, in which study and career guidance has a great responsibility.

In der Automobilindustrie werden einphasige Strömungssimulationen seit vielen Jahren zur Aerodynamik- und Aeroakustikentwicklung eingesetzt. Sie gewähren einen detaillierten Einblick in das Strömungsfeld und helfen bei der Optimierung des Luftwiderstands und des Innenraumpegels in frühen Phasen des Fahrzeugentwicklungsprozesses. Daneben spielen zweiphasige Strömungssimulationen eine zunehmende Rolle, z. B. bei der Funktion der Scheibenwischer, der Sichtfreihaltung von Scheiben, der Reinigung von Sensoren oder dem Abtropfen von Regenwasser beim Öffnen von Türen und Klappen. Solche Mehrphasenströmungen sind jedoch weitaus komplexer und weniger gut verstanden. BMW arbeitet zusammen mit der TU Darmstadt an der Weiterentwicklung von Simulationsmethoden zur frühzeitigen Analyse und Auslegung des externen Wassermanagements. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden drei Anwendungsfälle mit zweiphasigen Strömungen betrachtet. Der erste Anwendungsfall umfasst die Beaufschlagung der Frontscheibe mit Regenwasser, dessen Verdrängung durch die Scheibenwischer und das Abfließen des Wassers. Beim zweiten Anwendungsfall wird das Ablaufverhalten von Regenwasser am stehenden Fahrzeug berechnet und überprüft, ob und wie das Wasser beim Öffnen der Heckklappe in den Fahrzeuginnenraum abtropft. Der letzte Anwendungsfall betrifft die Reinigung von Sensoren zur Fahrzeugumfeldüberwachung im Rahmen des teil-, hoch- und vollautomatisierten Fahrens. Damit das Reinigungsmedium jederzeit effizient seinen Zweck erfüllt, wird das Sensorreinigungssystem simulativ optimiert. Für alle drei Anwendungsfälle werden die zugrundeliegenden Methoden erläutert, Simulationsergebnisse präsentiert und ein Abgleich mit experimentellen Daten zur Validierung durchgeführt.

Non-reciprocal wave propagation arises in systems with broken time-reversal symmetry and is key to the functionality of devices, such as isolators or circulators, in microwave, photonic and acoustic applications. In magnetic systems, collective wave excitations known as magnon quasiparticles so far yielded moderate non-reciprocities, mainly observed by means of incoherent thermal magnon spectra, while their occurrence as coherent spin waves (magnon ensembles with identical phase) is yet to be demonstrated. Here, we report the direct observation of strongly non-reciprocal propagating coherent spin waves in a patterned element of a ferromagnetic bilayer stack with antiparallel magnetic orientations. We use time-resolved scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (TR-STXM) to directly image the layer-collective dynamics of spin waves with wavelengths ranging from 5 µm down to 100 nm emergent at frequencies between 500 MHz and 5 GHz. The experimentally observed non-reciprocity factor of these counter-propagating waves is greater than 10 with respect to both group velocities and specific wavelengths. Our experimental findings are supported by the results from an analytic theory and their peculiarities are further discussed in terms of caustic spin-wave focusing.

Decarbonization and defossilization of energy supply as well as increasing decentralization of energy generation necessitate the development of efficient strategies for design and operation of sector-coupled energy systems. Today, design and operation of process and energy systems rely on powerful numerical methods, in particular, optimization methods. The development of such methods benefits from reproducible benchmarks including transparent model equations and complete input data sets. However, to the authors’ best knowledge and with respect to design and optimal control of sector-coupled energy systems, there is a lack of available benchmarks. Hence, this article provides a model compendium, exemplary realistic data sets, as well as two case studies (i.e., optimization benchmarks) for an industrial/research campus in an open-source description. The compendium includes stationary, quasi-stationary, and dynamic models for typical components as well as linearization schemes relevant for optimization of design, operation, and control of sector-coupled energy systems.

Binocular vision requires the segregation of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons extending from the retina into the ipsilateral and contralateral optic tracts. RGC axon segregation occurs at the optic chiasm, which forms at the ventral diencephalon midline. Using expression analyses, retinal explants and genetically modified mice, we demonstrate that CXCL12 (SDF1) is required for axon segregation at the optic chiasm. CXCL12 is expressed by the meninges bordering the optic pathway, and CXCR4 by both ipsilaterally and contralaterally projecting RGCs. CXCL12 or ventral diencephalon meninges potently promoted axon outgrowth from both ipsilaterally and contralaterally projecting RGCs. Further, a higher proportion of axons projected ipsilaterally in mice lacking CXCL12 or its receptor CXCR4 compared with wild-type mice as a result of misrouting of presumptive contralaterally specified RGC axons. Although RGCs also expressed the alternative CXCL12 receptor ACKR3, the optic chiasm developed normally in mice lacking ACKR3. Our data support a model whereby meningeal-derived CXCL12 helps drive axon growth from CXCR4-expressing RGCs towards the diencephalon midline, enabling contralateral axon growth. These findings further our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling optic pathway development.

Background We previously described the KINSSHIP syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder associated with intellectual disability (ID), mesomelic dysplasia and horseshoe kidney, caused by de novo variants in the degron of AFF3. Mouse knock-ins and overexpression in zebrafish provided evidence for a dominant-negative mode of action, wherein an increased level of AFF3 resulted in pathological effects. Methods Evolutionary constraints suggest that other modes-of-inheritance could be at play. We challenged this hypothesis by screening ID cohorts for individuals with predicted-to-be damaging variants in AFF3. We used both animal and cellular models to assess the deleteriousness of the identified variants. Results We identified an individual with a KINSSHIP-like phenotype carrying a de novo partial duplication of AFF3 further strengthening the hypothesis that an increased level of AFF3 is pathological. We also detected seventeen individuals displaying a milder syndrome with either heterozygous Loss-of-Function (LoF) or biallelic missense variants in AFF3. Consistent with semi-dominance, we discovered three patients with homozygous LoF and one compound heterozygote for a LoF and a missense variant, who presented more severe phenotypes than their heterozygous parents. Matching zebrafish knockdowns exhibit neurological defects that could be rescued by expressing human AFF3 mRNA, confirming their association with the ablation of aff3. Conversely, some of the human AFF3 mRNAs carrying missense variants identified in affected individuals did not rescue these phenotypes. Overexpression of mutated AFF3 mRNAs in zebrafish embryos produced a significant increase of abnormal larvae compared to wild-type overexpression further demonstrating deleteriousness. To further assess the effect of AFF3 variation, we profiled the transcriptome of fibroblasts from affected individuals and engineered isogenic cells harboring + / + , KINSSHIP/KINSSHIP, LoF/ + , LoF/LoF or KINSSHIP/LoF AFF3 genotyp

+ ID der Publikation: hslu_104223 + Art des Beitrages: Wissenschaftliche Medien + Sprache: Englisch + Letzte Aktualisierung: 2024-05-14 09:42:38

A search for full energy depositions from bosonic keV-scale dark matter candidates of masses between 65 keV and 1021 keV has been performed with data collected during Phase II of the GERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment. Our analysis includes direct dark matter absorption as well as dark Compton scattering. With a total exposure of 105.5 kg yr, no evidence for a signal above the background has been observed. The resulting exclusion limits deduced with either Bayesian or Frequentist statistics are the most stringent direct constraints in the major part of the 140-1021 keV mass range. As an example, at a mass of 150 keV the dimensionless coupling of dark photons and axion-like particles to electrons has been constrained to $\alpha$'/$\alpha$ < 8.7x10$^{-24}$ and g$_{ae}$ < 3.3x10$^{-12}$ at 90% credible interval (CI), respectively. Additionally, a search for peak-like signals from beyond the Standard Model decays of nucleons and electrons is performed. We find for the inclusive decay of a single neutron in $^{76}$Ge a lower lifetime limit of $\tau_n$ > 1.5x10$^{24}$ yr and for a proton $\tau_p$ > 1.3x10$^{24}$ yr at 90% CI. For the electron decay e$^-\rightarrow\nu_e\gamma$ a lower limit of $\tau_e$ > 5.4x10$^{25}$ yr at 90% CI has been determined., Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, 7 tables

Reference Evapotranspiration (ET0) is a key parameter for designing smart irrigation scheduling, since it is related by a coefficient to the water needs of a crop. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, proposed a standard method for ET0 computation (FAO56PM), based on the parameterization of the Penman-Monteith equation, that is widely adopted in the literature. To compute ET0 using the FAO56-PM method, four main weather parameters are needed: temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation (SR). One way to make daily ET0 estimations for future days is to use freely available weather forecast services (WFSs), where many meteorological parameters are estimated up to the next 15 days. A problem with this method is that currently, SR is not provided as a free forecast parameter on most of those online services or, normally, such forecasts present a financial cost penalty. For this reason, several ET0 estimation models using machine and deep learning were developed and presented in the literature, that use as input features a reduced set of carefully selected weather parameters, that are compatible with common freely available WFSs. However, most studies on this topic have only evaluated model performance using data from weather stations (WSs), without considering the effect of using weather forecast data. In this study, the performance of authors' previous models is evaluated when using weather forecast data from two online WFSs, in the following scenarios: (i) direct ET0 estimation by an ANN model, and (ii) estimate SR by ANN model, and then use that estimation for ET0 computation, using the FAO56-PM method. Employing data collected from two WFSs and a WS located in Vale do Lobo, Portugal, the latter approach achieved the best result, with a coefficient of determination (R2) ranging between 0.893 and 0.667, when considering forecasts up to 15 days., Comment: A partial version of the work submitted to ESRE/INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

The version of record of this article, first published in AAPS journal, is available online at Publisher’s website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1208/s12248-024-00921-x, Comparative bioavailability studies often involve multiple groups of subjects for a variety of reasons, such as clinical capacity limitations. This raises questions about the validity of pooling data from these groups in the statistical analysis and whether a group-by-treatment interaction should be evaluated. We investigated the presence or absence of group-by-treatment interactions through both simulation techniques and a meta-study of well-controlled trials. Our findings reveal that the test falsely detects an interaction when no true group-by-treatment interaction exists. Conversely, when a true group-by-treatment interaction does exist, it often goes undetected. In our meta-study, the detected group-by-treatment interactions were observed at approximately the level of the test and, thus, can be considered false positives. Testing for a group-by-treatment interaction is both misleading and uninformative. It often falsely identifies an interaction when none exists and fails to detect a real one. This occurs because the test is performed between subjects in crossover designs, and studies are powered to compare treatments within subjects. This work demonstrates a lack of utility for including a group-by-treatment interaction in the model when assessing single-site comparative bioavailability studies, and the clinical trial study structure is divided into groups., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Given the current and future importance of energy availability in the residential sector, there is great interest in reducing and optimising the energy consumption of single and multi-family houses. An energy system consisting of solar PV, heat pump, and battery and thermal storage can reduce electricity grid dependence by maximising the use of renewable energy. However, creating a model for such a multi-energy system can be challenging due to the need for detailed input data and high computational cost. This study aimed to develop a simpler model with short computation times and sufficient accuracy by employing a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) method based on the modelling framework Calliope, allowing the investigation of optimal operation regarding energy consumption and autarky. The results of a model simulation were compared to measurements acquired at a pilot site of a residential building in an alpine region of Switzerland. The results show good agreement between the model and pilot site for PV self-consumption (-5%), grid-export (+3%), and battery usage (-2%), whereas larger discrepancies were observed for the utilisation of the thermal storage (-78%). With the necessary modifications the developed model will be useful in estimating the feasibility and impact of multi-energy systems in residential buildings., + ID der Publikation: hslu_103402 + Art des Beitrages: Wissenschaftliche Medien + Sprache: Englisch + Letzte Aktualisierung: 2024-03-19 14:12:43

Die Studie untersucht die bisherige Praxis und Wirkung der ersten drei Reformstufen des Bundesteilhabegesetzes (BTHG). Methodisch umfasst die Studie zwei Bestandteile: eine Implementationsanalyse, welche die Auswirkungen auf die Verwaltung und die Praxis der Leistungserbringung beleuchtet und eine prozessbegleitende Befragung von Leistungsbeziehenden der Eingliederungshilfe, zur Analyse der Auswirkungen des BTHG auf die gesellschaftliche Teilhabe dieser Menschen. In der Studie werden die wichtigsten Ergebnisse dieser beiden Projektbausteine aufeinander bezogen und miteinander verzahnt. Punktuell werden dazu auch perspektivische Schlussfolgerungen zur Weiterentwicklung einzelner Themenaspekte oder Regelungsbereiche vorgelegt.

Der Forschungsbericht dokumentiert die Ergebnisse der Evaluation des zum April 2017 weiterentwickelten Arbeitnehmerüberlassungsgesetzes (AÜG). Die Evaluation des Gesetzes hatte zum Ziel Umsetzung und Wirksamkeit der damaligen Neuregelungen auf Grundlage wissenschaftlicher Daten und Methoden zu untersuchen. Dabei lag der Schwerpunkt der Untersuchung auf dem mit der Gesetzesreform verfolgten Ziel, die Leiharbeit auf ihre Kernfunktion zu fokussieren. Gleichzeitig sollten das Grundprinzip "Faire Bezahlung für gute Arbeit" und die Sozialpartnerschaft in Deutschland gestärkt werden. Im Fokus der Untersuchung standen hierbei die Neuregelungen zur Überlassungshöchstdauer sowie die Regelungen zu Equal Pay und den Abweichungsmöglichkeiten hiervon. Ebenfalls umfassend betrachtet wurden die Offenlegungs-, Konkretisierungs- und Informationspflicht sowie die Stärkung der Tarifautonomie, das Streikbrecherverbot, die Regelungen zur Mitbestimmung und die Festhaltenserklärung.

The accelerated development of the first generation COVID-19 vaccines has saved millions of lives, and potentially more from the long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most successful vaccine candidates have used the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as an immunogen. As expected of RNA viruses, new variants have evolved and quickly replaced the original wild-type SARS-CoV-2, leading to escape from natural infection or vaccine induced immunity provided by the original SARS-CoV-2 spike sequence. Next generation vaccines that confer specific and targeted immunity to broadly neutralising epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein against different variants of concern (VOC) offer an advance on current booster shots of previously used vaccines. Here, we present a targeted approach to elicit antibodies that neutralise both the ancestral SARS-CoV-2, and the VOCs, by introducing a specific glycosylation site on a non-neutralising epitope of the RBD. The addition of a specific glycosylation site in the RBD based vaccine candidate focused the immune response towards other broadly neutralising epitopes on the RBD. We further observed enhanced cross-neutralisation and cross-binding using a DNA-MVA CR19 prime-boost regime, thus demonstrating the superiority of the glycan engineered RBD vaccine candidate across two platforms and a promising candidate as a broad variant booster vaccine.

Hotell Romantik is a new reality dating show in Sweden where people aged 65 or above seek love. The TV program has gained a lot of media attention and raised voices about the way in which the elderly are represented in light of their sexuality. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine how the sexuality of elderly is represented in the TV program Hotell Romantik, as well as how this representation relates to stereotypes about older people. In order to answer this, we conducted a MCDA with semiotic tools on the TV program, and analyzed the results using a theoretical framework based on Stuart Hall’s Representation Theory, stereotypes and ageism. Three overarching themes of representation could be revealed: verbalized desires, tenderness and romance and cheeky banter and ironic distance. Our findings show that the sexuality of elderly is represented, but in two separate ways. On the one hand it is daring and cheeky in its expression, but on the other hand it is more gentle and thoughtful. In terms of how the representation relates to stereotypes about the elderly, contradictions can be discerned in the material, where the representation mostly reinforces prevailing stereotypes, but to some extent also fights against stereotypes. The study has contributed to a greater understanding of how older peoples’ sexuality is represented in the context of Swedish reality dating shows, and the ways in which this representation relates to stereotypes about elderly.

Aim The microbial metabolic quotient (MMQ; mg CO2-C/mg MBC/h), defined as the amount of microbial CO2 respired (MR; mg CO2-C/kg soil/h) per unit of microbial biomass C (MBC; mg C/kg soil), is a key parameter for understanding the microbial regulation of the carbon (C) cycle, including soil C sequestration. Here, we experimentally tested hypotheses about the individual and interactive effects of multiple nutrient addition (nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium + micronutrients) and herbivore exclusion on MR, MBC and MMQ across 23 sites (five continents). Our sites encompassed a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions; thus, we assessed which edaphoclimatic variables affected MMQ the most and how they interacted with our treatments. Location Australia, Asia, Europe, North/South America. Time period 2015–2016. Major taxa Soil microbes. Methods Soils were collected from plots with established experimental treatments. MR was assessed in a 5-week laboratory incubation without glucose addition, MBC via substrate-induced respiration. MMQ was calculated as MR/MBC and corrected for soil temperatures (MMQsoil). Using linear mixed effects models (LMMs) and structural equation models (SEMs), we analysed how edaphoclimatic characteristics and treatments interactively affected MMQsoil. Results MMQsoil was higher in locations with higher mean annual temperature, lower water holding capacity and lower soil organic C concentration, but did not respond to our treatments across sites as neither MR nor MBC changed. We attributed this relative homeostasis to our treatments to the modulating influence of edaphoclimatic variables. For example, herbivore exclusion, regardless of fertilization, led to greater MMQsoil only at sites with lower soil organic C (< 1.7%). Main conclusions Our results pinpoint the main variables related to MMQsoil across grasslands and emphasize the importance of the local edaphoclimatic conditions in controlling the response of the C cycle to anthropogenic stre

Spridning med grundvattnet från kraftigt förorenade hotspots utgör en viktig källa till per- och polyfluorerade alkylsubstanser (PFAS) i miljön och vattenresurser. Inom projektet StopPFAS undersöktes fastläggning av PFAS till sorbenter som en metod att begränsa PFAS-spridning med grundvattnet och elektrokinetisk sanering (EKR) undersöktes som ett komplement samt för regenerering av fastläggningszoner. Dynamiska kolonnstudier visade att kolloidalt aktivt kol (CAC) effektivt kan fastlägga PFAS när god kontakt mellan PFAS i grundvattnet och CAC uppnås. Fastläggningen ökade med ökande längd på den fluorerade kolkedjan. Skakförsök visade vidare att fastläggningen för kortkedjiga PFAS minskade när de förekom i en blandning tillsammans med andra PFAS till följd av konkurrens. Fältförsök i pilotskala med injektering av CAC som en permeabel barriär reducerade särskilt initialt PFAS-halten nedströms barriären, men en betydande andel PFAS tog sig ändå förbi. Låg genomsläpplighet och heterogenitet försvårade installationen. Noggrann hydrogeologisk karakterisering och att lyckas distribuera CAC där den huvudsakliga föroreningstransporten sker bedömdes avgörande för att metoden ska bli framgångsrik. I labförsök med jord utan sorbenter gav EKR höga extraktionshastigheter för kortkedjiga PFAS, men för långkedjiga PFAS var effektiviteten låg. EKR bedömdes potentiellt användbart för PFAS-sanering i kombination andra metoder för långkedjiga PFAS. EKR var inte framgångsrikt för regenering av aktivt kol., Spreading with groundwater from heavily polluted hotspots is an important source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. Within the StopPFAS project, application of sorbents was investigated as a method to limit PFAS transport with groundwater, and electrokinetic remediation (EKR) was investigated as a complementary method and for regeneration of sorption zones. Dynamic column studies showed that colloidal activated carbon (CAC) can effectively immobilize PFAS when good contact between PFAS in the groundwater and CAC is achieved. The sorption increased with increasing fluorinated carbon chain-length. Batch tests further showed that the sorption of short-chain PFAS decreased when they were present in a mixture with other PFAS due to competition. Pilot-scale field trials with injection of CAC as a permeable barrier reduced PFAS concentrations downstream of the barrier, but a significant proportion of PFAS still escaped. Low permeability and heterogeneity made installation difficult. Accurate hydrogeological characterization and succeeding in distributing CAC where the main contaminant transport takes place were deemed crucial for the method to be successful. In lab experiments with soil without sorbents, EKR gave high extraction rates for short-chain PFAS, but for long-chain PFAS the efficiency was low. EKR was deemed potentially useful for PFAS remediation in combination with other methods for long-chain PFAS. EKR was not successful for regeneration of activated carbon., Tuffo 2023-2

The necessity of energy independency, political and climatic concerns is driving the global attention towards sustainable energy sources. The European commission targets carbon-neutrality with net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050 [1], which results in a decarbonization of the energy sector by renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, a significant challenge arises from the fluctuating power infeed of wind and solar based plants, which may result in grid instability, overstrain and mismatch in supply-demand. Thus, energy storage systems (ESS) are required to decouple electricity generation from the demand and to enhance the reliability of the energy system. Furthermore, a successful implementation of such a storage technology on a large scale requires cost-effective cycles for energy storage and reconversion. Therefore, a Power-to-Heat-to-Power system is proposed, based on electrical charged high temperature ceramics and a supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycle for discharge. The high temperature sensible thermal energy storage is manufactured from waste material of the aluminum production, which is a low-cost storage solution. As a result, such a thermal storage combines an important contribution to the circular economy with an economic solution for large scale, location-independent energy storage. CO2 becomes supercritical when temperature and pressure are higher than 31 °C and 74 bar. In this phase the viscosity is low and the density as well as the heat capacity are high. Hence, the installed components, in particular the turbomachinery of the sCO2 power cycle are highly compact, which results in low investment costs and low thermal losses. Furthermore, high temperatures up to 600 °C can be utilized to generate electricity at high thermal efficiency. An inhouse code was used to study various heat transfer fluids, materials and designs for the thermal storage vessel during the charge and discharge cycle. Furthermore, the heat exchanger transferring the heat from t

Aim: The microbial metabolic quotient (MMQ; mg CO₂-C/mg MBC/h), defined as the amount of microbial CO₂ respired (MR; mg CO₂-C/kg soil/h) per unit of microbial biomass C (MBC; mg C/kg soil), is a key parameter for understanding the microbial regulation of the carbon (C) cycle, including soil C sequestration. Here, we experimentally tested hypotheses about the individual and interactive effects of multiple nutrient addition (nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium + micronutrients) and herbivore exclusion on MR, MBC and MMQ across 23 sites (five continents). Our sites encompassed a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions; thus, we assessed which edaphoclimatic variables affected MMQ the most and how they interacted with our treatments. Location: Australia, Asia, Europe, North/South America. Time period: 2015–2016. Major taxa: Soil microbes. Methods: Soils were collected from plots with established experimental treatments. MR was assessed in a 5-week laboratory incubation without glucose addition, MBC via substrate-induced respiration. MMQ was calculated as MR/MBC and corrected for soil temperatures (MMQsoil). Using linear mixed effects models (LMMs) and structural equation models (SEMs), we analysed how edaphoclimatic characteristics and treatments interactively affected MMQsoil. Results: MMQsoil was higher in locations with higher mean annual temperature, lower water holding capacity and lower soil organic C concentration, but did not respond to our treatments across sites as neither MR nor MBC changed. We attributed this relative homeostasis to our treatments to the modulating influence of edaphoclimatic variables. For example, herbivore exclusion, regardless of fertilization, led to greater MMQsoil only at sites with lower soil organic C (< 1.7%). Main conclusions: Our results pinpoint the main variables related to MMQsoil across grasslands and emphasize the importance of the local edaphoclimatic conditions in controlling the response of the C cycle to anthro

Background: Individuals’ perception of their work climate is expected to strongly influence personnel’s organizational commitment. However, the evidence about the association between organizational commitment and important outcomes, such as performance at work and turnover, is mixed. If this was not enough, little attention has been paid to how individual differences in basic personality (e.g., individual’s affective profiles) moderate this relationship. In this context, police organizations have unique obstacles in terms of work climate and when striving to make their personnel genuinely committed to the organization. Aim: Our aim was to investigate the association between learning work climate and organizational commitment among police personnel using the affective profiles model as the framework of our study. Method: Swedish police personnel (N = 353) answered an online survey comprising the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule, the Learning Climate Questionnaire, and the Three Commitment Scales. We calculated percentiles in positive and negative affect to cluster participants in four affective profiles with high/low positive affect (PA/pa) and high/low negative affect (NA/na): self-fulfilling (PAna), low affective (pana), high affective (PANA), and self-destructive (paNA). Besides correlation analyses and comparisons between police personnel with diametrical opposite profiles (i.e., PAna vs paNA and PANA vs. pana), we focused on within-individual comparisons between police personnel who differed in one affect dimension and matched in the other (i.e., PANA vs. paNA; PAna vs. pana; PAna vs PANA; and paNA vs. pana). Results: The main analyses showed that personnel with a self-fulfilling profile scored higher on almost all learning climate dimensions and affective and normative commitment and lower in continuance commitment. However, while high negative affect was clearly associated with low levels in all learning climate dimensions, some of these dimensions and

Background: Conceptualizing affect as two separate signal sensitivity subsystems, defined as high/low positive affect and high/low negative affect, implies that (A) the study of affectivity needs the interaction between these two dimensions in a complex adaptive meta-system composed of combinations beyond the two-system approach and that (B) this meta-system is associated to individual differences in personality dimensions that are responsible for automatic emotional reactions (i.e., temperament) and for conscious goals and values (i.e., character). The affective profiles model coined by Archer and colleagues is a good representation of the affectivity meta-system that has generated a great amount of research for the past 20 years. Nevertheless, most research addressing differences in personality has been conducted among children and adolescents. Aim: We aimed to replicate these past studies in two populations (Americans and Swedes) of adults by investigating differences in personality among individuals with distinct affective profiles. In this way, we want to expand our understanding of how the affectivity meta-system is regulated by automatic emotional responses (temperament) and conscious goals and values (i.e., character) across the lifespan and different cultures. Method: We used data from two published studies consisting of 523 Americans ((Nima et al., PeerJ 8: e9193, 2020) and 524 Swedes (Fahlgren et al., 2015) who reported affect (Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule) and personality (Temperament and Character Inventory). For each population, we combined their percentiles scores in positive affect (high = PA/low = pa) and negative affect (high = NA/low = na) for profiling: Self-fulfilling (PAna), High Affective (PANA), Low Affective (pana), and Self-destructive (paNA). We used paired sample t-tests to compare differences in personality between individuals with profiles that were similar in one affectivity dimension but dissimilar in the other (i.e., matc

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic human pathogen, which is involved in a wide range of dangerous infections. It develops alarming resistances toward antibiotic treatment. Therefore, alternative strategies, which suppress pathogenicity or synergize with antibiotic treatments are in great need to combat these infections more effectively. One promising approach is to disarm the bacteria by interfering with their quorum sensing (QS) system, which regulates the release of various virulence factors as well as biofilm formation. Herein, this work reports the rational design, optimization, and in-depth profiling of a new class of Pseudomonas quinolone signaling receptor (PqsR) inverse agonists. The resulting frontrunner compound features a pyrimidine-based scaffold, high in vitro and in vivo efficacy, favorable pharmacokinetics as well as clean safety pharmacology characteristics, which provide the basis for potential pulmonary as well as systemic routes of administration. An X-ray crystal structure in complex with PqsR facilitated further structure-guided lead optimization. The compound demonstrates potent pyocyanin suppression, synergizes with aminoglycoside antibiotic tobramycin against PA biofilms, and is active against a panel of clinical isolates from bronchiectasis patients. Importantly, this in vitro effect translated into in vivo efficacy in a neutropenic thigh infection model in mice providing a proof-of-principle for adjunctive treatment scenarios.

The introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) was a landmark in soccer history, yet it is not empirically examined whether the technology contributes to the most supreme value of the game: fair play. Because referees are said to be one driving cause of the home advantage (HA), the aim of this study was to examine whether the HA changed in the German Bundesliga since the implementation of the VAR in the season 2017/18. We examined a total of 2448 games during the four seasons before and after the implementation of the VAR with regards to the game outcomes (i.e., goals and points) as well as indicators of referee bias (i.e., fouls, yellow cards, 2nd yellow cards, red cards, and penalty kicks) for both the home and the away teams. Findings indicate that the VAR influences game outcomes to a fairer degree. Specifically, (i) we found statistical evidence for the HA before, but not after the implementation of the VAR. However, (ii) these results need to be interpreted with caution because direct assessments of the change induced by the introduction of the VAR are not statistically significant. Finally, (iii) with the implementation of the VAR, fewer fouls were committed by both the home and the away team.

Calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl2.6H2O) is a stablished inorganic salt hydrate-based phase change material (PCM) with interesting properties for low temperature latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) applications. However, its phase transition during melting and solidification exhibits a complex behaviour with supercooling and phase segregation effects, which critically limit their practical applications. Experimental approaches enabling tracking of the solidification process in this PCM are thus crucial for a deeper understanding of these adverse effects and to design efficient LHTES. In this study, a novel method based on dynamic X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is used to monitor the solidification process in CaCl2.6H2O through sequences of XCT images. The method was tested with a sample of 60g of CaCl2.6H2O with density of 1.71 g/cm3 and purity higher than 98%. The results reveal that solidification of CaCl2.6H2O occurs through the fusion of crystalline structures initially appearing at the side and the bottom surfaces of the sample which grow over time. In the experiment performed, the solidification process is found to be incomplete, which is frustrated after 385 min of starting the solidification. This frustration was preceded by a change in the total solidification rate which is here estimated from the transient liquid volume fraction curve computed via image processing analysis. Quantitative estimation for the crystals size is also reported., + ID der Publikation: hslu_99885 + Art des Beitrages: Wissenschaftliche Medien + Sprache: Englisch + Bemerkungen: Papers of the ECNDT 2023. + Letzte Aktualisierung: 2024-01-16 10:48:42

The summer school is realized as a joint teaching project between several partner universities under the auspices of the IDEA League alliance. The school trains students and young researchers on exploring and applying the potential of computational-based strategies in design for additive manufacturing, while engaging in dedicated team working activities. The aim of this work is to report on and discuss the success of the summer school in terms of the learning goals achievement. The work is based on the results of a one-day workshop with the summer school alumni showing how the acquired knowledge, skills and competences impacted their studies, research, and professional careers in a long-term after the course is finished, and outlining possible course content improvements to plan the summer school in 2023 that will take place with physical presence., Materials and Manufacturing, Mechatronic Design

The host-microbiota co-metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is linked to increased cardiovascular risk but how its circulating levels are regulated remains unclear. We applied “explainable” machine learning, univariate, multivariate and mediation analyses of fasting plasma TMAO concentration and a multitude of phenotypes in 1,741 adult Europeans of the MetaCardis study. Here we show that next to age, kidney function is the primary variable predicting circulating TMAO, with microbiota composition and diet playing minor, albeit significant, roles. Mediation analysis suggests a causal relationship between TMAO and kidney function that we corroborate in preclinical models where TMAO exposure increases kidney scarring. Consistent with our findings, patients receiving glucose-lowering drugs with reno-protective properties have significantly lower circulating TMAO when compared to propensity-score matched control individuals. Our analyses uncover a bidirectional relationship between kidney function and TMAO that can potentially be modified by reno-protective anti-diabetic drugs and suggest a clinically actionable intervention for decreasing TMAO-associated excess cardiovascular risk.