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Digitalization is driving social and economic change – in soccer, too. Artificial intelligence will increasingly solve problems and further intertwine the relationship between people and technology. Largely unexplored – but at the same time significant due to economic, psychological and sporting problems – are digital innovations in refereeing. Gottschalk et al. (2020) showed the potential for artificial intelligence and digitalization in refereeing. In a next step the researchers worked with the refereeing department of the German Football Association (DFB) to gain further insights for digitization in elite refereeing. As a result potential was identified for DOGSO decisions. The researchers conducted various interview rounds with elite referees of the German Football Association to identify all factors of human assessment influencing DOGSO decisions. The objective was to define a criteria system which can be evaluated by technology. As a result, more than 40 factors determining DOGSO decisions have been identified.

Here, we investigate the potential of CD70 co-expression during viral vector boost vaccination to improve an antigen-specific T cell response. To determine the chance of activating antigen-specific T cells by CD70, we used the HBV core antigen as a model antigen in a heterologous protein-prime, Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) boost vaccination scheme. Both the HBV core and a CD70 expression cassette were co-expressed upon delivery by an MVA vector under the same promoter linked by a P2A site. To compare immunogenicity with and without CD70 co-expression, HBV-naïve, C57BL/6 (wt) mice and HBV-transgenic mice were prime-vaccinated using recombinant HBV core antigen followed by the MVA vector boost. Co-expression of CD70 increased the number of vaccine-induced HBV core-specific CD8 T cells by >2-fold and improved their effector functions in HBV-naïve mice. In vaccinated HBV1.3tg mice, the number and functionality of HBV core-specific CD8 T cells was slightly increased upon CD70 co-expression in low-viremic, but not in high-viremic animals. CD70 co-expression did not impact liver damage as indicated by ALT levels in the serum, but increased the number of vaccine-induced, proliferative T cell clusters in the liver. Overall, this study indicates that orchestrated co-expression of CD70 and a vaccine antigen may be an interesting and safe means of enhancing antigen-specific CD8 T cell responses using vector-based vaccines, although in our study it was not sufficient to break immune tolerance.

This paper addresses the current state of research on cryptocurrencies. Not least the turbulences on the financial markets in the last two years have once again increased the interest in cryptocurrencies, but the enduring question of an alternative payment solution. Therefore, this article examines cryptocurrencies from an investment point of view with a quantitative analysis. It is shown that over a period from 2015 to 2021 cryptocurrencies demonstrate a significantly higher return profile with higher volatility and also show a statistically significant correlation with the major stock indices.

This study evaluates three corporate failure prediction models using latest available data on corporate insolvencies for non-financial constitutes represented in CDAX. We estimate semiparametric Cox proportional hazards models considering Andersen-Gill counting process (AG-CP) to explore the importance of accounting and financial ratios as well as industry effects that are useful in detecting potential insolvencies. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the literature on corporate default prediction is manifold and predominantly focused on U.S. data. Thus, academic contribution based on German-listed companies is limited. To our best knowledge, we are the first to conduct thorough comparative out-of-sample Cox regression models considering AG-CP based on a unique dataset for non-financial constitutes subject to the German insolvency statute (“InsO”). Relying on a parsimonious accounting-based approach inspired by Altman (1968) and Ohlson (1980) is merely adequate. Shumway (2001) and Campbell et al. (2008) variable selection delivers the best discriminatory power and calibration results. In particular, a combination of pure accounting ratios augmented with market-driven information in Model (2) indicates superior accuracy rates in top deciles. However, in-sample empirical results underpin the importance towards market-based indicators, as all accounting ratios enter statistically insignificant. Secondly, we test to what extend industry variables improve discriminatory power and forecasting accuracy of fitted models. Contrary to the findings of Chava & Jarrow (2004), our research implies that industry grouping adds marginal predictive power and no overall improvement in accuracy rates when market variables are already included in the probability of default (PD) model.

The following empirical research investigated the difference of several form of commitment of part time students to their employer. Therefore, this study based on the three component model of Allen & Meyer (1990). Most of the previous empirical researches investigated the commitment of employees within an organization. The measurement of commitment of part time students to their employer is largely unexplored and build the research gap of the following empirical research. The objectives of the work are to present the previous scientific findings of the three components model of Allen & Meyer and to answer the question if and what extent the commitment of part time students in Germany changed during their study time.To test possible differences of commitment, the questionnaire with 24 items was used. 231 part-time students participated in the survey. In addition to the statistical basics, the differences of commitment were found by using a two sample t-test. A key finding of this research is that students at the end of their study time have a lower commitment to their employer as students at the begin of their study time.

In times of digital transformation and permanent change, the analysis and further development of the business models are essential to be successful in the future. The 9×9 of future business models offer companies a framework for transforming their business model based on digitally shaped changes. The foundation of this approach is the value proposition, which is differentiated for new lifestyles in the future. It takes into account various trend influences, which affects all building blocks of a business model. These include the customers, the partners, and the network, but also the resources, the channels, the finances as well as the skills and activities of the company. In general, a business model must be viewed holistically in the future if it should be successful in the long term. More than ever, the influence of digital, technological and megatrends is critical to success. In summary, the following questions are answered: Fundamentals of future business models: Which building blocks are considered in the digital transformation? Influence of trends: What is driving digital and social transformation? The 9×9 of future transformation: How do technological and social influences affect business models?

Background Therapeutic vaccination is a novel treatment approach for chronic hepatitis B, but only had limited success so far. We hypothesized that optimized vaccination schemes have increased immunogenicity, and aimed at increasing therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine efficacy. Methods Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens was used to boost protein-prime vaccinations in wildtype and HBV-transgenic (HBVtg) mice. Results Protein-prime/MVA-boost vaccination was able to overcome HBV-specific tolerance in HBVtg mice with low and medium but not with high antigenemia. HBV-specific antibody titers, CD8+ T-cell frequencies and polyfunctionality inversely correlated with HBV antigen levels. However, optimization of the adjuvant formulation, increasing the level of antigen expression and utilization of HBsAg of heterologous subtype induced HBV-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells and neutralizing antibodies even in high-antigenemic HBVtg mice. Conclusions Our results indicate that high HBV antigen levels limit the immunological responsiveness to therapeutic vaccination but optimization of the vaccine formulation can overcome tolerance even in the presence of high antigenemia. These findings have important implications for the development of future therapeutic hepatitis B vaccination strategies and potentially also for the stratification of chronic hepatitis B patients for therapeutic vaccination.

Nichts ist so bestandig wie der Wandel. Ein Sprichwort, das die meisten in ihrem Leben wohl schon einmal gehort haben. Dies fuhrt dazu, dass Menschen vermehrt in Uberforderungssituationen geraten und die Unsicherheit uber die Haltbarkeit des eigenen Geschaftsmodells rapide ansteigt. Erfolg war noch nie so unsicher wie heute. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellen sich Unternehmer und Fuhrungskrafte oft die folgenden Fragen: „Welche (Fuhrungs- )Kultur benotigt mein Unternehmen, um erfolgreich die Zukunft zu gestalten, und was kann ich konkret dafur tun?“ Dieser Beitrag beantwortet diese Fragen und gibt Handlungsempfehlungen fur Unternehmer und Fuhrungskrafte, um die Zukunft proaktiv mitzugestalten.

In the present article, the impact of both near fault ground motions and a finite ductility threshold on the collapse capacity is studied. Single-degree-of-freedom systems with non-deteriorating bilinear hysteretic behavior, vulnerable to P-delta effects, are considered. Defining collapse as excessive ductility is investigated, and the difference to collapse associated with instability is elaborated. Medians of individual record dependent collapse capacities are presented as function of the initial structural period for characteristic structural and ground motion parameters. Analytical expressions for influence coefficients, which account for a differing ground motion set, and finite ductility thresholds, respectively, are derived via non-linear regression analysis.

In this paper the prediction of the global collapse capacity of earthquake excited regular moment-resisting frame structures is discussed. The addressed flexible planar frame structures with non-deteriorating inelastic component behavior are vulnerable to the destabilizing effect of gravity loads. A simplified collapse assessment methodology based on pushover analyses, equivalent single-degree-of-freedom systems, and a collapse capacity spectrum is proposed. This methodology, which is referred to as collapse capacity spectrum methodology, is examined for a series of frame structures covering a wide range of structural parameters. Therefore, the global collapse capacity of these structures derived with this methodology and with the computationally expensive incremental dynamic analysis procedure is set in contrast. From the outcomes it can be concluded that in the initial design process the collapse capacity spectrum methodology is an appropriate tool to assess reliably the median and the dispersion of collapse capacity of P-delta sensitive regular moment-resisting frame structures subjected to severe earthquake excitation.

Das folgende Kapitel hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, den theoretischen Rahmen um das Thema Werte und Wertorientierung zu setzen. Es greift dabei die aktuelle Wertediskussion in unserer Gesellschaft und im Speziellen in der Wirtschaft auf. Dieses Kapitel ist im Vergleich zu den nachfolgenden Kapiteln deutlich theoretischer geschrieben und soll Ihnen, lieber Leser, die Hintergrunde und Begrifflichkeiten so eingangig wie moglich vermitteln. Sollten Sie direkt in die „Wertorientierung“ von Familienunternehmen einsteigen wollen, empfehlen wir Ihnen einen Sprung zu Kap. 3. Falls Sie aus theoretischer Sicht etwas „dickere Bretter“ bohren mochten, lesen Sie gerne hier weiter. Wir haben uns bemuht, die wissenschaftliche Ausdrucksweise auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren. Dies fiel uns naturgemas nicht immer leicht, da dadurch auch die gewollte Prazision ein wenig leidet. Wie bei allen anderen Kapiteln wurde auf die Setzung von Fusnoten verzichtet. Die verwendeten Quellen sind am Ende summarisch aufgelistet. Der guten Ordnung halber und zur akademischen „Selbstverteidigung“ weisen wir darauf hin, dass das vorliegende Kapitel keinem wissenschaftlichen Anspruch gerecht werden soll. Dies wurde weder der Zielgruppe noch dem Charakter dieses Buches entsprechen. Aber schon die Praxisempfehlungen in Abschn. 2.1.1 sind aus unserer Sicht die Lekture WERT. In diesem Sinne wunschen wir Ihnen viel Freude an diesem Kapitel!

Therapeutic vaccines are currently being developed for chronic hepatitis B and C. As an alternative to long-term antiviral treatment or to support only partially effective therapy, they should activate the patient's immune system effectively to fight and finally control the virus. A paradigm of therapeutic vaccination is the potent induction of T-cell responses against key viral antigens - besides activation of a humoral immune response. We have evaluated the potential of a novel vaccine formulation comprising particulate hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) and core antigen (HBcAg), and the saponin-based ISCOMATRIX™ adjuvant for its ability to stimulate T and B cell responses in C57BL/6 mice and its ability to break tolerance in syngeneic HBV transgenic (HBVtg) mice. In C57BL/6 mice, the vaccine induced multifunctional HBsAg- and HBcAg-specific CD8+ T cells detected by staining for IFNγ, TNFα and IL-2, as well as high antibody titers against both antigens. Vaccination of HBVtg animals induced potent HBsAg- and HBcAg-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in spleens and HBcAg-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in livers as well as anti-HBs seroconversion two weeks post injection. Vaccination further reduced HBcAg expression in livers of HBVtg mice without causing liver damage. In summary, this study demonstrates therapeutic efficacy of a novel vaccine formulation in a mouse model of immunotolerant, chronic HBV infection.

In a severe seismic event the destabilizing effect of gravity loads, i.e. the P-delta effect, may be the primary trigger for global collapse of quite flexible structures exhibiting large inelastic deformations. This article deals with seismic induced global collapse of multi-story frame structures with non-deteriorating material properties, which are vulnerable to the P-delta effect. In particular, the excitation intensity for P-delta induced structural collapse, which is referred to as collapse capacity, is evaluated. The initial assessment of the structural vulnerability to P-delta effects is based on pushover analyses. More detailed information about the collapse capacity renders Incremental Dynamic Analyses involving a set of recorded ground motions. In a simplified approach equivalent single-degree-of-freedom systems and collapse capacity spectra are utilized to predict the seismic collapse capacity of regular multi-story frame structures.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seronegative recipients (R-) of kidney transplants (KT) from seropositive donors (D+) are at higher risk for CMV replication and ganciclovir(GCV)-resistance than CMV R(+). We hypothesized that low CMV-specific T-cell responses are associated with increased risk of CMV replication in R(+)-patients with D(+) or D(-) donors. Methods We prospectively evaluated 73 consecutive KT-patients [48 R(+), 25 D(+)R(-)] undergoing routine testing for CMV replication as part of a preemptive strategy. We compared CMV-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ) responses of CD4+CD3+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using three different antigen preparation (CMV-lysate, pp72- and pp65-overlapping peptide pools) using intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry. Results Median CD4+ and CD8+T-cell responses to CMV-lysate, pp72- and pp65-overlapping peptide pools were lower in D(+)R(-) than in R(+)patients or in non-immunosuppressed donors. Comparing subpopulations we found that CMV-lysate favored CD4+- over CD8+-responses, whereas the reverse was observed for pp72, while pp65-CD4+- and -CD8+-responses were similar. Concurrent CMV replication in R(+)-patients was associated with significantly lower T-cell responses (pp65 median CD4+ 0.00% vs. 0.03%, p = 0.001; CD8+ 0.01% vs. 0.03%; p = 0.033). Receiver operated curve analysis associated CMV-pp65 CD4+ responses of > 0.03% in R(+)-patients with absence of concurrent (p = 0.003) and future CMV replication in the following 8 weeks (p = 0.036). GCV-resistant CMV replication occurred in 3 R(+)-patients (6.3%) with pp65- CD4+ frequencies < 0.03% (p = 0.041). Conclusion The data suggest that pp65-specific CD4+ T-cells might be useful to identify R(+)-patients at increased risk of CMV replication. Provided further corroborating evidence, CMV-pp65 CD4+ responses above 0.03% in PBMCs of KT patients under stable immunosuppression are associated with lower risk of concurrent and future CMV replication during the following 8 weeks.

In this study collapse capacity spectra based on various definitions of the seismic intensity are set in contrast and evaluated. The presented collapse capacities for highly inelastic non-deteriorating single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems, which are vulnerable to the destabilizing effect of gravity loads, are derived for a near-fault set of ground motions with distinct pulse characteristics. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)